CHOPS GRILLE vs GIOVANNI'S TABLE: Specialty Dining onboard Voyager of the Seas! @RoyalCaribbean - Awesome!

Voyager of the Seas offers two of their favorite specialty dining restaurants from the Royal Caribbean cruises CHOPS GRILLE the signature steakhouse and GIOVANNI’S TABLE offering family-style Italian dishes.

Guests can enjoy a more intimate dining away from the masses while indulging in higher-quality dishes with their excellent selection of signature dry-aged steaks, fresh seafood and made from scratch Italian favorites like pasta, bread, and dessert!

While Windjammer, Cafe Promenade, and Saphire are part of the cruise package, specialty restaurants include an additional fee of ($35) for Chop’s Grille and ($20) for Giovanni’s Table. Guest on the ship will find it enticing for its “all you can eat” menus and pampered dining experience.

Here’s what to expect at Chops Grille and Giovanni’s Table…

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CHOPS GRILLE

Sink your teeth into a delectably juicy steak with a fantastic ocean view and sophisticated, elegant setting!

CHOPS GRILLE is Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse offering fresh seafood food such as the pan seared scallops, quality meats like filet mignon and their famed dry-aged steak!

The restaurant exudes a sophisticated dining experience with its modern décor comprised of dark wood with gold and red accents, plush velvet seating and elegant open-themed kitchen. The best part is the big windows that give you the view of the Sea! (It is located on the 11th floor beside the Windjammer. )

Menu: Appetizers | Mains | Dessert

The bread is freshly baked every day best paired with butter and herbs.

Forest Mushroom Soup

For starters, order the creamy thick mushroom soup with hints of white truffle oil.

Pan-roasted Jumbo Scallops

I love their sweet scallops, perfectly cooked with a crisp brown crust but remains tender and creamy on the inside.

For the steaks, their filet mignons are the best-sellers, Hand-cut, hand-seasoned and carefully prepared.

You can also order sides that’ll go well with the steak. The Roasted Mushrooms and Sautéed spinach were the stand out

The 2014 Caymus Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon has this moderate acidity and powerful aroma of sweet ripe grapes that goes well with the meat.

Dry-Aged Porterhouse Steak 20 OZ.* (Extra fee of $19)

Their most excellent steak is the dry-aged porterhouse. Shipped all the way from the U.S. the USDA prime beef is never frozen and kept in a climate-controlled room for nearly four weeks. The highly controlled process allows the beef’s natural enzymes to break down resulting in a more tender and flavorful slab of meat.

Best served medium rare. The meat is bursting with flavor while the dry-aging process gives it a new array of character and depth.

Tip: For Asians, the size is good enough for sharing as we couldn’t finish ours.

Chocolate Mud Pie

Their most rave about dessert is the Chocolate Mud Pie a homemade Mississippi favorite. Creamy, delectable and not so sweet.

The desserts are divine! Chops Grille arguably has the best desserts we tried on the Voyager of Seas. We just loved everything we ordered!

Tip: You should also try the red-velvet which the waiter strongly recommended, but we preferred to have something chocolatey that night.

Liquid Center Chocolate Cake

But our favorite was the Liquid Center Chocolate Cake that comes with coconut ice cream and caramelized banana. From hot to cold, I love everything going on, in this dessert.

GIOVANNI’S TABLE

Craving for a plate of good pasta in delicious tomato sauce or freshly baked bread dip in olive oil?

GIOVANNI’S TABLE is known for their family-style Italian dishes specializing in made from scratch Tuscan cuisine. The must try dishes include classic Italian favorites antipasti, Caprese salad, meaty lasagna, grilled strip loin steak and lamb chops!

The Italian Trattoria on level 4 of Voyager of the Seas, is filled with Tuscan-inspired touches, such as rustic dark timber embellishments, stone walls and painting of the countryside that’ll make you forget you’re on a ship.

Menu: Giovanni’s Table Menu

One of the things I look forward to is the freshly baked bread served before our meal. The ciabatta in olive oil, balsamic and parmesan dip was enjoyable.

In Giovanni’s the 5-course menu are in big portions meant for sharing, but we requested for solo serving.

We had the soup of the day, it was just ok.

Insalata Caprese per Due

For starters, we ordered two Italian favorites the Caprese salad and the Antipasti.

Italian’s love mozzarella, if you prefer something light, I suggest ordering the Caprese salad that comes with ripe tomatoes, bocconcini mozzarella, balsamic and olive oil.

Antipasti Per Due
Two kinds of Italian salami, prosciutto, marinated anchovies, grilled artichokes, roasted peppers, zucchini, olives and Gambonzola cheese

The Antipasti a signature dish where the salami and prosciutto are very popular.

For pasta, we were told that everything was good on the menu.

Lasagna Tradizionale Al Sugo Di Carne

For tomato and meat lovers! I suggest you order Giovanni’s lasagna. It’s a classic favorite filled with mouthwatering meat sauce.

Taglierini Ai Pomodorini, Calamari, Capesante E Pesto
Taglierini pasta tossed with cherry tomatoes, calamari, bay scallops and pesto

Since we were having steak for our main course, I ordered Taglierini pasta in pesto sauce; it’s a lighter satisfying dish that’s a good change from the heavy sauces.

I liked the generous portions of succulent scallops, blend of fresh herbs and perfectly cooked al dente pasta.

Bistecca Di Manzo Alla Grigilia, patate Fritte All’Olio Si Tartufo Salsa Al Barolo o Burro Di Gorgonzola
8-ounces grilled strip loin steak, truffle oil, fries, Barolo reduction or Gorgonzola butter

For the main course, I suggest an 8-ounce beef tenderloin that is tender and bursting with flavor.

Gamberoni Al Forno, Patate Agiate, Aspatagi e Zucchine
Baked jumbo shrimps, garlic tossed potatoes, baby zuchini and asparagus

The shrimps were good, but I liked the steak better.

Tip: There are a few changes for the lunch and dinner menu. We heard good reviews about the lamb chops if you’re planning to dine at night.

The dessert cart won’t disappoint with their authentic Italian desserts like creamy tiramisu and cannoli.

Order the creamy, rich tiramisu that’s gushing with bold coffee flavors.

Overall, If you’re tired of the same food in Windjammer, Cafe Promenade, and Saphire these specialty restaurants are worth the try!

Did I mention kids age 5 and below eat for free while 6 and above eat for less ($10 service fee only).

Live an Awesome Life,

ABI of Team Our Awesome Planet

Disclosure: Our trip was courtesy of ARPAN AIR, INC. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.

P.S. You can make reservations before your cruise using the Cruise Planner on Royal Caribbean’s website. Or, you can also make reservations onboard.

If you plan to dine in all three restaurants (Chops Grille, Izumi, and Giovanni;s), take the promo package that can earn you extra onboard credits that you can exchange for a free glass of wine that’ll go well with your meal. 😉