Our favorite specialty restaurant menu at sea — on any cruise line — is the “An Evening at Le Cirque” on Holland America Line. One evening per cruise, the Pinnacle Grill is converted to Le Cirque, the legendary New York City French restaurant founded by Sirio Maccioni, from the whimsical orange china to the famous Crème Brûlée dessert.
The menu for the culinary event was recently updated, so we had to try it on our 7-Day Western Caribbean cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam in early March. All of our favorites are still on the updated menu, but it was fun to try some of the new items when we dined with our friends Fred and Ken.
On the updated menu (pictured above) the Yellowtail Snapper Crudo replaced the Le Trio appetizer, and the Wild Burgundy Escargot is an additional new item under the appetizer section.
The Garden Pea soup replaced the Butternut Squash soup on the prior menu (it was a favorite of mine.)
Under the main courses, the Seabass replaced the Alaskan Black Cod, the lamb and chicken are new preparations, and the Spaghetti Primavera takes the place of the Three Cheese Ravioli.
Thankfully, the signature Creme Brulee ‘Le Cirque‘, and the Chocolate Soufflé remain as the stars of the dessert menu, but there are a couple of additions.
While we loved the previous “Evening at Le Cirque” menu, this update offers some tasty alternatives that you will have to check out during your next Holland America Line cruise.
Here is a Look at the Updated Menu for An Evening at Le Cirque on Holland America Cruises
After ordering, the meal still begins with an amuse bouche of whipped foie gras with a rhubarb chutney.
Yellowtail Snapper Crudo with broad beans and pea mojito
An interpretation of the classical Caesar Salad. (Note: the egg on the toast is runny.)
None of the new appetizers top the Lobster Salad ‘Le Cirque’ with poached lobster, avocado, haricots verts, new potatoes and citrus segments, unless you do not eat lobster.
The Garden Pea soup, with cheese dumplings and an Idiazabal crisp, is fresh, hearty and delicious.
The Seabass, with peaches, capers, Bourbon vanilla, and chicken oysters, is a hearty fish with a variety of flavors.
The Chicken with wheatberry, plum and Arbois sauce is a more complicated dish that it sounds; our friend Ken gave it high marks.
Still Mr. Jones’ favorite, the Chateaubriand is still carved tableside, and served with horseradish flan and sweet and sour baby beets.
For dessert, the traditional chocolate soufflé with vanilla gelato still delights.
And, you still want to eat all of the signature Creme Brulee ‘Le Cirque‘, to view the recipe on the bottom of the ramekin.
Coffees or espressos are still served with special Le Cirque treats, and when you return to your stateroom for the evening, you find a little gold Le Cirque box with two truffles, a delightful take-home memory.
This leisurely dining experience takes several hours. The Evening at Le Cirque experience costs $49 per person, although Four-Star and Five-Star Mariners receive a 50 percent discount on this as well as their other Pinnacle Grill dining charges, while Mariners with Three Stars get a 25 percent discount. We think it is a special event worth every penny.
If you want to attend An Evening at Le Cirque while on a Holland America cruise, it is best to book online in advance of your cruise. Reservations are limited and they are quickly snapped up on many cruises. Or, check with the Pinnacle Grill manager in person during the first day of the cruise.
Have you tried the updated Le Cirque menu on a recent Holland America cruise? If so, what was your favorite new item? Please share in comments below.
Check out these other posts from our recent cruise on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam:
- The Cabana Club on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam
- A Look at the Dim Sum Lunch in Holland America’s Tamarind Restaurant
- A Look Inside a Verandah Stateroom on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Ship
- Views from Half Moon Cay, Bahamas
- An Updated Look at Holland America’s Canaletto Restaurant Menu
- The B.B. King Blue’s Club on Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam
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