March 01, 2004

By: James Sparks
Website: http://www.1st-in-steaks.com

Australia's newest waterfront restaurants float into town

Australians can feast on unbeatable water views as well as champagne-brushed lobster and giant succulent steaks at three new deluxe restaurants that have arrived aboard P&O Cruises' elegant new South Pacific cruise ship, Pacific Princess.

The three restaurants - Sabatini's Italian Restaurant, The Grill Sterling Steakhouse and Pacific Princess' main Club Restaurant - are proving extremely popular with passengers aboard the stylish 30,000-ton liner, which debuted as Australia's second cruise ship on November 18.

The range of restaurants aboard Pacific Princess means passengers can choose where they would like to dine, with Sabatini's serving a 'bellissima' three-hour degustation menu, The Grill offering premium juicy steaks and the Club Restaurant enticing passengers with five-course dinners of international cuisine each night. A buffet restaurant, pizzeria and poolside barbecue also help passengers enjoy an average of 15 courses of food a day, including a traditional high tea each afternoon.

P&O Cruises Australia Managing Director Gavin Smith said the three fine dining restaurants, each boasting spectacular ocean views, had proved to be as popular as the three decks of balcony cabins aboard Pacific Princess.

"Dining has always been a highlight of cruising, but on Pacific Princess our exquisite fare is already proving a real drawcard."

The menu in the boutique 96-seat Sabatini's Italian Restaurant features lobster tail brushed with champagne butter, Galliano-seasoned jumbo sea scallops, tiger prawns glazed with garlic peri peri, and asiago studded gnocchi in a smoked fontina cheese fondue. Meanwhile the 98-seat Grill Sterling Steakhouse allows passengers to choose their own 300 gram hand-cut slice of aged, corn-fed beef before it is grilled to order. Nominal cover charges of AUD$25 per person in Sabatani's and AUD$15 per person in the Grill apply, while meals in the main 338-seat Club Restaurant are included in the cruise fare.

Boasting a country club atmosphere, the 700-passenger Pacific Princess also features a ship-top pool, three outdoor jacuzzis, jogging track, eight bars and lounges, cabaret lounge, a richly furnished library complete with a fireplace, casino, in-cabin movies, boutiques and internet facilities.

Also see: boiling lobster tails

Author Notes:

James Sparks contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-steaks.com.  Great tips on buying top quality meats, steaks and seafood from the finest ranchers and butchers.