JacquesPepin

Jacques Pepin To Have New Cruise Ship Restaurant

One of the heroes of my chef-adoring youth, Master Chef Jacques Pepin will open his first restaurant at sea, Jacques, on board Oceania Cruises' new 1,258-guest Marina, scheduled to launch in late 2010. Pepin's new restaurant is inspired by bistros in his home town of Lyon, France. The restaurant will be outfitted with custom Jacques Pepin signature china, antique flatware and Lalique glassware. An art collection comprised of some of Pepin's favorite personal pieces and original works Pepin created especially for Marina will decorate the room. Highlights of the menu are to include an appetizer of homemade Pumpkin Soup a l'Anglaise served in a pumpkin shell, fresh Mussels Mariniere, freshly roasted free range chicken, duck, lamb and other specialty cuts of fine meat. Nine classic French desserts and a cheese tray with 12 AOC French cheeses will round out the experience.

The new Marina cruise ship will have 10 dining venues total. There will be six open-seating, gourmet restaurants including Jacques and Red Ginger. Guest accommodations are comprised of 629 staterooms and suites, 96 percent of which have private verandas. The ship includes bars and lounges, a CanyonRanch SpaClub, fitness center, outdoor swimming pool and hot tubs.

Pepin isn't the only chef on the high seas. You can enjoy restaurants from Wolfgang Puck and Nobu Matsuhisa on Crystal Cruises. Todd English offers his ample Mediterranean-style portions on Cunard's Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. Marco Pierre White has created The White Room on P & O Cruises Ventura ship. Chef Charlie Palmer works with Seabourn cruises and Italian chef Aldo Zilli's fare can be found on Thomson Cruises.

[via USA Today Cruise Log]

Tags: jacques pepin, JacquesPepin, oceania cruises, OceaniaCruises

Pinot Lovers' Cruise

by Lisa Palladino (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spirits, Yachts & Sailing

The second "Pinot Lovers' Cruise" is scheduled for May 31 - June 12, 2009, and combines the wines of August West with Freeman Vineyard & Winery. The 12-day trip on Oceania Cruises' Insignia makes stops in 12 cities, starting in Rome and ending in Istanbul. Oceania only carries 650 passengers and is known for its relaxed, no-tie policy, and gourmet cuisine, overseen by Executive Chef Jacques Pepin. The cruise includes a private winemakers' dinner, wine tastings and discussions, tours of top Italian wine-estates and plenty of Pinot parties.

Freeman has been named as one of the Magnificent 30 "Hottest Pinots" by the Wine Spectator, while the San Francisco Chronicle recognized August West as one of its top 10 wineries of 2005. Both wineries have received multiple 90+ scores from Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine.

Cruise prices range from $3,649 - $7,049 per person double, including free airfare from 20 major U.S. airports. Book by September 1 and receive prepaid gratuities, worth up to $300 per cabin.

Tags: August West, AugustWest, cruise, cruises, cruising, Freeman, Jacques Pepin, JacquesPepin, pinot noir, PinotNoir, wine