The Royal Treatment ~ R is for Reservations



 

Palo. Palo. Palo.

If you make one reservation for during your cruise get a brunch reservation at Palo.
Offered only on sea days (so you must select a cruise that includes a sea day for this to work) this more casual friendly version of Palo features the most beautiful views of the ocean around.
Besides, getting all dressed up for brunch makes me happy.
Actually just the word brunch makes me happy.

Brunch. Brunch. Brunch. Brunch. Brunch.

Anyway, Ben and I and Diana headed off to brunch at Palo.



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Diana and Ernie missed Palo on their first cruise, so we wanted to ensure that she not miss it a second time. After we were escorted to the booth at the aft most end of the ship, Sasha from Croatia introduced himself. He has been with Disney Cruise Line since the launch of the Magic and knew our favorite server from her Palo (Sylvester) quite well.
Sasha seems a different kind of cast member, he seems more reserved and serious than Sylvester, but excellent at his job and fun to talk to once he knows you're interested.

Lipstick and Brunch.
What could go together better?

He quickly fetched some non-alcoholic sparkling cider for our table, went to tell the chef that the vegan was here (which he astutely wondered how a vegan and a French chef might get along.)



We visited for a minute staring out at the beautiful sea and then Sasha returned to walk us through the buffet and to order options.

Salmon Mousse, Shrimp Cocktails, and Crab Legs, Oh My!

Breads, Cheeses and Nuts.
Ice Sculpture!

I collected a plate of roasted vegetables in balsamic, artichokes and fruit and headed back to our booth.

Garlic Cloves make everything yummy.

Chef Stephane of France came by our table to ask me what I would like to try. I told him I usually had excellent luck by giving the chef free reign. He asked if anything from my previous cruises were a particular favorite. I told him about the berry pizza I loved from the Magic. He said he wasn't familiar with that recipe but asked if I liked chocolate. I said sounds delicious.

Ben and Diana also ordered their meals at this point.

Very shortly, a delicate and delicious pasta dish arrived "just until he makes you your brunch" as Sasha put it.

So Yummy.

I nibbled on this, intending to make it last and save room for whatever my brunch would end up being. Unfortunately this was excellent and I ate all of it. Fortunately, Chef Stephane sent only a small portion, so I still had room for the rest of brunch.

Ben and his tried and true Grape Gorgonzola Pizza

Right at the arrival of Ben and Diana's plates, Captain Fabian came on to announce our exact nautical position and heading.

I love Diana's Minnie Mouse nails.

Diana's meal came out perfectly moist, flavorful and delicious. Which is interesting, because I rarely see her eat ANY seafood.
Then I became totally distracted because the beginning of my brunch arrived.

Warm fingerling potatoes, asparagus, mushrooms, rosemary, and yum.

I love a good roast fingerling potato.
These were so beyond good.
Crisp and firm, but smooth and creamy inside.
I don't know if the roasted vegetable on top was celery heart or perhaps leek. Either way it was delicious, with a delicately flavored broth and super tasty!

I decided to walk off my first two courses with a lap around the dessert table.

Tiramisu

Ben and Diana picked amongst the delicacies.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Tarts and éclairs

These reminded me of Ben's dad (who was holding down the fort back home).

Cherry Meringue Pie bites

Ernie is the reason behind the first (and only) time I have baked a merengue pie from scratch. For the record the lemon merengue all those Thanksgivings ago turned out excellent.

Sasha, not wanting me to get hungry (!) while my dessert finished up cooking in the open air pizza oven, brought me a "little snack."

They had me at balsamic.

A nice fruit cup with mint leaves and balsamic?
Don't mind if I do!



Clean Plate? Nope. But close.

Ben polished off his "one of each" approach to dessert tasting.

When my dessert pizza arrived.


I can't begin to explain.

Warm, spicy, aromatic, citrusy, chocolate-gooey, crunchy, nutty and smooth.
This wasn't my regular berry basil dessert pizza from the Disney Magic.
It wasn't sweet.
It was firey.
It was very interesting.
And I ate every bite of it.
At the time I wasn't sure if I absolutely loved it or hated it.
Now I'm pretty sure I love it.
Very unexpected and delightful.
Hmmm. I wonder if we could arrange back to back sailings on the Magic and the Wonder for a taste test just to decide which Palo dessert pizza is best.
Research trip, anybody???
This is Part 9 of an Ongoing Trip Report "The Royal Treatment" additional sections of this report can be found on the Adventures page.