Seabourn Ovation Restaurants

Editors rating:
5.0
/5.0
Outstanding

Seabourn Ovation Restaurants

Editors rating:
5.0
/5.0
Outstanding

The Seabourn Ovation restaurants are like heaven for foodies. This review rates each of them and includes video tours so you can see what they are really like.

By Published On: 2 Oct 2018

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There are five excellent Seabourn Ovation restaurants, including two speciality venues:

  • The Restaurant.
  • The Grill by Thomas Keller.
  • Sushi.
  • Earth & Ocean at the Patio.
  • The Colonnade.

Dining ratings

Restaurants & foodRating
Dining options
(5.0)
Restaurant service
(4.5)
Food quality & presentation
(5.0)
Specialty restaurant(s)
(5.0)

The Restaurant

The Restaurant is the main dining room. It is a breathtakingly beautiful space with high ceilings as well as coloured glass chandeliers. But what really makes The Restaurant special is the food – it was consistently some of the best I’ve tasted at sea.

The Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. In the morning there are pastries, eggs and other breakfast favourites. At lunch there is a small but delicious menu. This usually has at least one fish dish. But in the evening things step up a notch with a wonderful French-inspired dinner menu.

Each night the chefs present a wide selection of specials. These often reflect the local ports of call. In addition, there are dishes inspired by Thomas Keller as well as Seabourn classics that are always available.

I especially enjoyed the Avocado, Artichoke and Orange Salad served with Bitter Greens and a Tangerine Vinaigrette. The Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb was also excellent.

When you have dinner in The Restaurant you can mix-and-match from the menu.

Also, like all the Seabourn Ovation restaurants French champagne and fine wines are poured free of charge.

The Restaurant has open seating which means you can dine when you like and with whomever you like. Reservations are not needed.

On formal nights The Restaurant has a formal dress code.

The Grill by Thomas Keller

The Grill by Thomas Keller is one of two speciality dining venues on Seabourn Ovation. It is a classic American steakhouse with a chic New York twist.

The decor – which includes a spectacular silver staircase set against a golden mosaic wall – was inspired by designer Adam D. Tihany. While for the menu Seabourn teamed up with Michelin starred chef Thomas Keller.

Deconstructed Lobster Thermidor as served in The Grill.
Deconstructed Lobster Thermidor as served in The Grill.

Chef Keller has updated classic dishes, like Lobster Thermidor served out of the shell with a lobster foam. There’s Elysian Fields Farm Lamb Medallions with Herb Crust as well as Dover Sole and daily specials like Steak Diane. One of the most popular starters is the Caesar Salad with marinated anchovies – it is a real winner and is prepared at your table.

Thomas Keller's Caesar Salad is prepared table side.
Thomas Keller’s Caesar Salad is prepared table side.

The whole Roasted Free Range Chicken with Thyme Jus is also a highlight. The preparation takes two days and the Roast Chicken is carved table-side. It serves two people.

The Grill also offers a small yet delicious dessert menu with treats like Seven Layer Coconut Cake and Dark Chocolate Layer Cake. Be sure to leave room for a signature Thomas Keller cookie at the end of the meal!

The Grill by Thomas Keller has a great choice of old and new world house wines to compliment the menu. There is also an extensive specialty wine list.

Insider’s tip: The Grill is one of the most popular Seabourn Ovation restaurants so I recommend making your reservation online before you sail.

There is no additional charge to experience this great Seabourn Ovation restaurant.

Sushi

Sushi is the other speciality dining venue on Seabourn Ovation. It is a small restaurant serving exceptional quality Japanese cuisine. The menu is so authentic it could come direct from the street markets of Tokyo with sushi, sashimi and nigiri. The staff are happy to help guide your selections.

Like the best restaurants in Tokyo, the quality of the produce is outstanding. Hamachi, tuna and other fresh seafood is flown from Japan and served a each night. Indeed, the eel, octopus, salmon and tuna are all superb.

A great selection of hot and cold sake is also available. In addition, there is a good choice of the house wine and beer as well. But it’s worth noting that the Sushi restaurant does not serve coffee as it is not part of Japanese cuisine.

Bento boxes are served at lunch time in Sushi restaurant.
Bento boxes are served at lunch time in Sushi restaurant.

Sushi is also open for lunch, serving an expanded selection of bento boxes. These include teriyaki chicken, miso salmon, tamarind-glazed mushrooms and gyoza pork dumplings. There is also a mince pork ramen bowl. It is a healthy lunchtime alternative.

Sushi restaurant does not require reservations. Also, there is no extra charge to eat there. However, the restaurant has limited seating and is popular, which means you might need to be patient.

Earth & Ocean at the Patio

Earth & Ocean at the Patio is Seabourn’s new à la carte poolside restaurant. The menu was developed by consulting chef Anton Egger. Indeed, it was inspired by his travels around the World.

The Earth & Ocean restaurant on Seabourn Ovation.
Earth & Ocean has an innovative à la carte menu.

The Earth & Ocean restaurant introduces fine dining to the poolside patio each night. There is designer ceramic ware, a candlelit ambiance and table service, as well as spectacular sunset views.

Earth & Ocean is full of surprises, like the smoked tuna dip delivered to the table in its own tiny smokehouse. The Penne Pasta with Homemade Spanish Chorizo, Peppers and Basil also impresses.

Shrimp Tempura with Pickled Mushroom as served at Earth & Ocean.
Shrimp Tempura with Pickled Mushroom as served at Earth & Ocean.

Earth & Ocean also has other delectable bites like Iberia Ham with Melon, Fennel and Feta Salad as well as Bacon Wrapped Branzino fish with Curry Butter Sauce. I enjoyed the Shrimp Tempura with Pickled Mushroom, Ponzu and Sriracha Mayo. In fact it’s all great stuff and an excellent addition to the Seabourn Ovation restaurant scene.

You can choose to share dishes or they can be served individually. Reservations are not required for Earth & Ocean at the Patio.

The Colonnade

The relaxed Colonnade restaurant on Seabourn Ovation sets new standards for gourmet buffet dining.

The Colonnade offers a relaxed buffet meal service.
The Colonnade offers a relaxed buffet meal service.

There are salads, seafood platters, hot roasted meats and delectable desserts. Everything is fresh, plentiful and well presented. The Colonnade also has a range of daily specials.

There is comfortable seating inside, as well as outdoor seating on the teak terrace where you can enjoy the gentle sea breeze and wake views.

The Colonnade is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You do not need to make reservations.

The author sailed as a guest of Seabourn Cruises.

About the Author: Jason Kerr

Jason is the founder and Managing Editor of The Luxury Cruise Review. He has a passion for travel, a weakness for espresso coffee and a love of Greek cuisine.

One Comment

  1. Christopher Dean 19 Aug 2022 at 12:12 - Reply

    Jason the presentatioln was great but there is one thing you said that was wrong:

    My dad was in the navy in world war 2 and this is what he told me what to do and what not to do.

    If you take a cabin do not take one amidships but take a cabin either at the rear or at the bow. The reason for this is the bow goes up and down while the rear rolls from side to side but you get both in the middle.

    The fastest way to get seasick is to sit in a deck chair and watch the railing and the sea go up and down

    If you get seasixk my dad said these are the best remedies:

    feeling seasick get up and start walking and do not lie down on the bed it wil be worse

    you eat even if you throw up keep eating as your stomach needs something in it to counteract the seasickness

    One night my dad and I listened to the news where it mentioned 35 foot hkgh waves hkt the QE2 and my dad started laughing then told me tghat his ship would have 100 foot waves crash into it.

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