*This gluten free dining experience took place in May 2018.
Dinner at Remy
Remy, a signature dining location on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy cruise ships, is the most upscale of any of the restaurants on the Disney Cruise Line (and maybe any cruise ship out there). It's essentially Victoria & Albert's on the high seas, which means it's definitely a special occasion or fancy date night kind of restaurant. Like Palo, Remy is an adults only restaurant and comes with a bit of a hefty price tag at $95 per person for dinner. Of course, when you consider the price of Victoria & Albert's or any other high end restaurant on land, this is actually not a bad price. So, if you're interested in fine dining or just want to channel your inner Ratatouille, we highly recommend Remy if you're sailing on the Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy. It is a quite popular location, so be sure to book in advance when possible. If you don't, there are often openings at Remy for dinner, if you check on during embarkation day.When we were planning our most recent cruise on the Disney Dream, I knew we wanted to dine at least one adults only restaurant. Of course, when we found out that Palo is now offering a brunch on the Nassau port day, having brunch and then dinner at either Palo and Remy seemed like a great option. I asked Brandon, who had never been on the Disney Cruise Line, which restaurant he preferred for dinner. And, he said he'd love to try Remy for the experience alone. And experience we did.Hands down, our meal at Remy was the best dining experience we've ever had in our lives. We both agreed that it was just perfection from the service to the food and everything in between. So, let's take a look at our meal at Remy. Our dinner was 3 hours long, so be prepared for lots of photos and details about this restaurant experience.
Atmosphere
Remy is located on Deck 12 of the Disney Dream. From the moment you step into the adults only dining area, you know you're going to experience something special. Both Palo and Remy have very different themes. And, as you'll see, Remy is inpsired not only by the animated film Ratatouille but by classic Art Nouveau designs.
Besides enjoying dinner here, we also took a free tour during our Nassau day called "The Art of the Theme," which I highly recommend. It took us through areas like Palo, Remy, and other areas on the ship to look at the theming and design. It was about an hour long and so fascinating. While on the tour, we were able to get a lot of photos and a ton of information about the development of both Remy and Palo.
When you enter Remy, you'll notice a large wine cellar to your immediate right. While it might seem like it's just a ton of wine bottles and nothing special, be sure to stop and take a look at these 3 wines shown above. All three of these wines were featured in the animated film Ratatouille and are very rare bottles of wine. In fact, one of them is only 1 of only a handful of bottles left in the world, as it was made during World War II when the wine making was dramatically affected. It's marked at a shocking $25,000. Yikes!
Remy offers guests a cozy and intimate dining experience, so the tables are fairly spread out. And, the restaurant does stagger their seating schedule. As you can see from the photo above, the Art Nouveau theme is present in the carpets and general decor. You'll also notice large windows with a panoramic view perfect when you're dining at sunset and sailing on the high seas.Don't forget to use those lovely little stools next to the tables. You can place your cameras, purses, or other small items when you dine here.
Most of the tables near the windows have seating for 2 people. But, we saw several larger groups seated there during our meal, as well. The back of the restaurant includes a lot of the larger party tables too.
Besides the main dining room, Remy also includes the "Gasteau Room" meant to be a replica of Gasteau's from Ratatouille. It's super charming, and the decor is totally different than the main dining room. There are even paintings that are meant to resemble an open kitchen and the Paris skyline.Typically, the Gasteau Room is used for private groups (we were told often for celebrities) because it can be closed off from the main dining room. However, we were also told that you can request to be seated in the Gasteau Room if the room is not booked upon request (and availability).
While the adult dining isn't very Disney themed, you will still find some touches. At Remy, this includes tiny Remy carvings in chandeliers, metal-work, and even in the wood on your chairs. How adorable is that?
Here is a view from our corner table booth (we both thought was the best front table, as it was super cozy) during the first part of our meal. You can see, we had terrific views of the ocean. And, it was gorgeous as sunset began.
The Food
As you can tell, we were both wowed by Remy even before we started eating the food! But, the food definitely took our experience over the top. Let's dive in...
In between Remy and Palo is Meridian -- a lounge used for guests with reservations or those who want a more upscale lounge experience. They also have a gin and tonic cart. As someone who is a huge G&T fan, I had to get one while we waited for our table at Remy. The gin & tonic cart is super fun because you can mix and match not only which gin and tonic you want, but the bartenders will also add in custom botanicals to your drink.Both Brandon and I ordered the Monkey 47 – Schwarzwald Dry Gin. I can't remember the tonic water it was mixed with, but the botanicals included rosemary, cinnamon, lemon, and juniper berries. We were both shocked that this was only $15 a drink, which if you know Disney prices is about average for many of their fancier cocktails. This drink was a super wow and one I would totally get again. Just very flavorful and not overpowering in any way.As an aside, for those who have celiac disease or are concerned about alcohol that might be distilled with grain. Some gins are naturally gluten free while others are distilled with wheat. According to the University of Chicago Celiac Disease and peer-reviewed scientific research, “in pure spirits, the distillation process makes these beverages safe because the protein is removed. However, flavored spirits may contain malt, and should be avoided.” With this in mind, I do drink gin and I feel no adverse reactions. However, if gin does not make you feel great, there are loads of other drinks you can order too.Also, I should mention that Remy offers a signature drink called the Collette (which is champagne and vodka based), but our server Jerome saw that we already had drinks and said he didn't want to overload us with alcohol straight out of the gate and promised to bring something at the end of our meal to cap the occasion. If you're interested in hearing more about the Collette, check out my review of Remy from 2014.
Once seated our server Jerome helped us on our way to a decadent meal and great experience. First up, the restaurant will ask if you want to view the fancy water menu. We did opt to order a bottle of Voss still water from Norway. But, you do not have to order off this if you do not want to, as it is an additional upcharge. Simply ask for tap water, and your server will make sure that is available to you complimentary.
One note about the specialty water. If you order this, chances are you'll go through a bottle or two on your visit. Your server will not ask you if you wish to have a second bottle; they'll just typically bring out another one. So, if you're not prepared to buy a few bottles, best to tell your server in advance.
Other non-alcoholic drinks in the restaurant are included in your $95 per person charge. I ordered an unsweetened iced tea because I wanted to try out the iced tea ice cubes, which I had also had during my brunch at Palo. What an awesome trick. Your tea won't get diluted, which helps keep the flavor the entire time you're drinking it. Hilariously, we had one specific cast member who brought me tea. As he joked, "I am the special server of tea." Now that is some serious service.
Prior to our meal, Jerome discussed both of our special dietary needs. He noted Brandon's allergies to fish and shellfish and that I had celiac disease. Not only did he assure us we would have plenty of options, but he also took great care at customizing our meals (more on that in a minute).Up first, we were each brought an amuse bouche -- a little taste -- to get us started. At first glance, it looks like a crouton. And, it sort of is. It is a tomato soup cube that when you let it sit on your tongue allowing it to melt without chewing turns into literally tomato soup. It's super fun and a total Willy Wonka type experience. And, even better? They can make it gluten free with GF breadcrumbs. It also happens to be dairy free too!
But that wasn't the only amuse bouche we were presented with. Both Brandon and I received a green curry with coconut milk foam. His version included a pappadum type crisp on top, while mine was served without.Goodness gracious this was delicious. I love all things curry, and this was so outstanding. The lemongrass and aromatic flavors from the curry broth were super balanced out by the creamy coconut milk foam. And, the lime zest on top. So good. Even Brandon really enjoyed it, and he's not a big curry fan.
After the Amuse Bouche items, our first courses started arriving. As I mentioned, Jerome walked us both through the menu, including the set menus from the chefs of the restaurant (which includes Chef Scott Hunnell from Victoria & Albert's) and the a la carte items. He recommended that my meal be more of the French style while Brandon's was more the American style. We really trusted his recommendations, and he totally didn't steer us wrong.My first course was a King Crab served wrapped in cabbage, with radish, and a dashi broth. It was earthy and sweet all at the same time. The cabbage and crab worked really well together and the broth was super flavorful.
Up next was Lobster and four different types of corn. This had lots of richness from the lobster and sweetness from both the lobster and the corn. It was cool try try different corn presentations from small bits of puree to baby corn. Although absolutely delicious, of the courses it was my "least favorite" which is not really a criticism as the dish was still perfection.
In between all of this, we were also served bread. Brandon had several different options to choose from, while I was brought out Udi's Gluten Free Baguette sliced. They also served butter with an edible gold powder R etched in. Talk about fancy! It is important to note, you can also get Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Spread at Remy too, upon request. Because I have reintroduced dairy back into my diet, I did not ask for it on this particular visit.Although nice to have a bread option, I personally wouldn't fill up too much on this. There's just too much amazing food to eat to fill up on standard GF bread!
For my third course, I was brought Fletan (or Halibut) with leeks, green onion, mussels, and a mussel broth. Good time of day this was amazing. The fish was just pure perfection in flavor and preparation. And the accompaniments were just so fresh and flavorful. Funnily enough during both of my Remy visits, the halibut was my favorite entree. So, if you like fish, order the halibut at Remy. You won't regret it!
My fourth main course was Wagyu beef with celery root, celery, and a decadent sauce. If you are a beef lover, you will enjoy this dish. I gave Brandon a bite of it, and he also thought it was outstanding.
As if we hadn't had enough food at this point, after our main meal courses, the cheese cart was brought to our table. In many fine dining experiences, cheese is brought after your meal as a palate cleanser. In this case, the cheese cart server (yes, there was a separate server of cheese!) already noted my special dietary needs and that some accompaniments would not be safe. But, he took great care and preparing us two plates. One with soft cheeses and one with hard and more powerful cheeses.
Up first is the plate with the hard and more powerful cheeses. This was the plate served to Brandon and includes oh so many stinky cheeses, which he loved.
I was served a plate of soft cheeses that included Brie, Camembert, and Neufchatel. The Neufchatel was by far the one I liked the most.
And, we still weren't done with food after all of this. For dessert, Jerome brought us both a serving of Peruvian Chocolate with chocolate tuile, edible gold, and a salted caramel gelato. If you like chocolate, this is a hands down must. It's truly some of the most intensely flavored chocolate dessert I've ever had. The mousse was dense and incredible. Even though I've reintroduced dairy back into my diet, I still avoid ice cream. But, I took one bite of the salted caramel gelato and found it to be quite delicious too.Remember that complimentary drink that Jerome mentioned to us in place of the Collette? It was during dessert that he brought us two flutes of champagne to enjoy. Talk about a nice touch! It was perfect to sip on as we celebrated an amazing cruise and a fantastic last evening on the Disney Dream.
And, the food was still going even after dessert. Our final course was the candy course. This included several tarts for Brandon, lollipops, soft fruit candies, and chocolate filled with caramel sauce. The lollipops, soft fruit candies, and chocolate were all gluten free.If you like sour patch kids, the soft fruit candies will be up your alley. They were so sour but had a lovely flavor once the sourness dissipated.My favorite was the chocolate. It tasted like a high-end Rollo, and there's nothing wrong with that!
As we finished up our meal, our server Jerome brought me a Rose to take back to the room with me and presented Brandon with a box of chocolates. Such a lovely touch to end the meal.
Overall
Words and photos really can't describe how amazing our meal was at Remy. Our server Jerome was over the top amazing and made the meal just fun. At one point, while we were trying to be discrete taking photos, Jerome told us to take all the photos we wanted. So, that made us super relaxed as we enjoyed it all. Every single cast member in the restaurant that we encountered was also amazing. Truly some of the best service you'll ever have at a restaurant. Add to that some of the most incredible food, and you find yourself with an experience you won't soon forget. While Remy isn't a restaurant that's everyone's speed or taste (there is a dress code required too), for those who think they might want to enjoy a fine dining experience while on the ship, we highly recommend Remy.Have you been to Remy? What was your experience there?
Our servers at our main dining each night were Noel and Juni. They did a really great job at ensuring we both had safe options and making good recommendations. I have to admit that the dishes Noel recommended were typically the best ones I had.Up first, he brought some Ener-G rolls, which are both gluten free and dairy free. They were heated much better than our at our embarkation lunch at Enchanted Garden, so I was pleased with that.
For my appetizers, I tried two options. The first Jumbo Shrimp Salad with Poached Tiger Shrimp tossed in a Lemon Olive Oil, served on diced Cucumber, Egg and Red Onion and garnished with Roquette Leaves. Oddly, this dish is marked gluten free, but not dairy free. When asked I was told that it was not marked dairy free because there is egg in it. They said the same thing to me when we dined at Animator's Palate in 2014, so it's amazing to me that they still haven't updated it or realize the difference between dairy and egg. So, for those who are dairy free, this is technically a dairy free dish, and it's worth asking about.While I wouldn't say this was my favorite dish, I did like the freshness of the salad and the shrimp with dill. It's definitely a decent salad option, though I'd like to see a bit more flavor in the dish. It just seemed bland.
Because I have reintroduced dairy back into my diet, Noel also suggested that I try the Smoked Salmon Tartar with Dill, Capers, Onions, Pickles, and a Horseradish Cream. It is marked gluten free on the menu. He said this is his favorite appetizer, and honestly, it did not disappoint. It was delicious. If you can have dairy, this is a fantastic appetizer. Pretty sure I could eaten this appetizer every night of the cruise. It was that good.
For my entree, I ordered Lemon-Thyme Marinated All Natural Chicken Breast on top of Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Root Vegetables and Grain Mustard Jus. This is marked gluten free on the menu but does contain dairy. I thought this dish was just OK. The roasted root vegetables appeared to be all beets, which are not my favorite, and the chicken was fairly overcooked. I wouldn't say it was terrible by any means. But, I probably should have just ordered the the sirloin steak with garden vegetables and potatoes on the Lighter Note Offerings portion of the menu that Noel recommended.Brandon ordered the Ginger-Teriyaki dusted Angus Beef Tenderloin served on Wasabi Mashed Potatoes with Bok Choy and a Tamarind Barbecue Reduction and really thought his steak was well-done. So, next time, I'll probably stick to steak.
Throughout our meal, our server Noel gave us some puzzle challenges. This one involved us having to figure out how to move one crayon that would change the direction of the crayon giraffe he created for us. I'm not going to lie, we were not very good at these puzzles!
For dessert, Noel brought me the Crunch Walnut Cake with Dark Chocolate Mousse and Raspberry Coulis. This is marked gluten free on the menu and does contain dairy. I only ate a bit of this cake, but I liked it a lot. The best part was definitely the walnuts on the bottom of the cake. For those with special dietary needs, always check with your server for options, as they had another chocolate cake, ice cream, and even sorbet as options on the night I visited Animator's Palate.
