Taste of Queen Mary: A first-rate foodie experience

The Queen Mary is a grand ocean liner that carried both majesties and military during its time of service, before making its final cruise in 1967 arriving in Long Beach, CA where it has been breathing in new life ever since, becoming markedly more famous with time and more relevant to its new “visiting” passengers for its remarkable way to combine the past with the present.

Today, the Queen Mary stands as an iconic Southern California attraction, hotel, and venue hosting a variety of special events and filled with famed history around every corner, making it a place both locals and tourists MUST visit!

And whether you decide to board the Queen Mary for a hotel stay, special event, celebration, attraction, or simply gathering with family or friends, be sure to indulge at one of the Queen Mary’s casual and fine dining restaurants which deliver first-rate food, creative cocktails, captivating seaside views, and high quality of service where you are guaranteed to feel welcomed the minute you step aboard.

What’s good Gab had the opportunity to embark on the first-ever Taste of Queen Mary: Foodie Tour to sample delectable bites and curated cocktails from the Queen Mary’s highly-acclaimed restaurants including Promenade Cafe, Chelsea Chowder House & Bar, Sir Winston’s and the Observation Bar. This experience gave us extraordinary access to the Queen Mary’s diverse and delicious fare, along with a unique insider’s look at the passionate and dedicated talent and staff that make the Queen Mary the majestic sea-side jewel it is.

 

PROMENADE CAFE

The Promenade Café, is the perfect spot to enjoy breakfast with a sea-side view, delight in a seasonal salad for lunch, or enjoy a quick midday bite like a gourmet burger.

We were greeted by the Queen Mary’s Director of Food & Beverage Saurav Biswas, Chef Victor Ibarra, and the Senior Captain of the Queen Mary for 38 years, Commodore Everette Hoard, and in meeting them it was apparent that the Queen Mary’s team is very passionate, hardworking and loyal and are remarkably dedicated to providing exceptional service.

We enjoyed:

Avocado Toast- made of pea hummus, radish lime, pickled onion, arugula, cherry tomatoes, EVOO, sea salt on a country grilled bread. The Avocado Toast is a beautifully balanced bite that’s both creamy and crispy, a delicious option for breakfast, as snack or a light lunch.

Chicken & Waffle Benedict- features two poached cage free eggs, fried chicken, greens, and a marvelous maple hollandaise sauce. The Chicken & Waffle Benedict is a brunch must for those that love both the sweet and savory—and it will surely comfort the palate with its creamy and crisp combination of perfectly poached eggs and chicken.

Brisket Burger (What’s good Gab recommendation) – made with white cheddar cheese, fried onion rings, lettuce, tomato, brioche bun mini slider. The Brisket Burger is a meat-lovers delight that is unique and flavorful, hearty, and sure to satisfy your appetite. The Brisket Burger is full of flavor and was our favorite of the three selections, a must-try that’s incredibly delicious and will not disappoint!

Hours:

Breakfast 6:30am – 11am

Lunch 11am – 4pm

 

CHELSEA CHOWDER HOUSE

The Chelsea Chowder House is a chic and cozy restaurant that captures the feel of an authentic British chowder house, complete with subway-tiled walls and a decorative tin ceiling. The Chelsea Chowder House & Bar is a contemporary dinner-only location that features a scrumptious seafood menu (and steak too) with seaside views, making it the go-to spot to enjoy an evening of fine dining with a spectacular setting!

We enjoyed the following:

Louisiana BBQ Shrimp (What’s good Gab recommendation) – this savory dish is the perfect way to start your dinner at the Chelsea Chowder House. It features juicy, jumbo shrimp cooked to perfection with hot pepper sauce on a crusty bread…absolutely delicious!

 

Lobster Roll- features chunky & creamy lobster salad, toasted roll, and clam chowder. The Lobster Roll is warm and hearty sandwich featuring tender lobster meat that’s mouthwatering along with the an exquisitely tasting clam chowder that really rounds out this roll and satisfies the taste buds.

 

Drop of Lavender (What’ good Gab favorite!)

Drop of Lavender is perfect if you’re looking for something that’s both citrusy and sweet, yet delectably smooth. It features kettle one citroen, crème de violet, lavender syrup (which gives it that exquisite lavender hue), fresh lemon juice and a tasty sugar rim. It is adorned with an edible hibiscus flower which gives it a unique touch.

 

The Gent (What’s good Gab recommendation)

The Gent is a handsomely prepared drink with cazadores reposado tequila, liquid alchemist ginger, activated charcoal, agave nectar, sweet and sour—and garnished with an edible flower and gold flakes. A mouth-watering cocktail that will satisfy your palate and have you feeling like a million bucks. The Gent also serves up one of the coolest Instagram snaps for its stunning edible flower and eye-catching gold garnish.

Hours:

Sundays – Thursdays:  5pm – 10pm

Fridays – Saturdays:     5pm – 11pm

Happy Hour: Mondays – Thursdays: 5pm – 7pm

 

SIR WINSTON’S

Sir Winston’s Restaurant & Lounge features five-star dining, seaside views—and was named one of the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America for 2015—making it a FABULOUS place for dinner to celebrate special occasions like a proposal or promotion, enjoy Valentine’s Day with a unique date night, or simply gather with family and friends to toast to life!

Sir Winston’s Restaurant is intimate and elegant, featuring romantic harbor views from every dinner table, beautifully presented table settings, wood furnishings, velvety upholstered dining chairs, and silky curtains draped about that give the venue sophistication as well as personal privacy throughout. The restaurant is very famous for marriage proposals, and also a favorite among celebrities from Johnny Depp to Snoop Dogg who want to enjoy fine dining in a posh yet peaceful setting free from paparazzi.

Sir Winston’s also features a lounge area where you’re instantly transported back in time in a dimly-lit cocktail lounge with a pianist, signature cocktails, and rich-tapestries on the wall complete with framed pictures from the ship’s grand days.

We enjoyed:

Jumbo Stuffed Shrimp- featuring lobster & crab marinated with a mornay sauce.

Sir Winston’s Beef Wellington (What’s good Gab recommendation) – pate de campagne, duxelles, puff pastry, and glace di viande. Sir Winston’s Beef Wellington is a masterpiece, the beef tenderloin is cooked to perfection and complemented with sautéed mushrooms and set over a lightly crisp puff pastry that is divine.

Hours:

Mondays & Tuesdays: Closed
Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays: 5pm – 9pm
Fridays & Saturdays: 5pm – 10pm

 

OBSERVATION BAR

The Observation Bar is hands-down THE hotspot to hang out and enjoy a drink or bite before heading out to one of the Queen Mary’s various attractions, or to simply unwind and sip a cocktail while watching the sunset! It is sophisticated and stylish featuring 1930’s art deco that’s been beautifully preserved, giving the room both an air of nostalgia and modernity. Located at the front of the ship, the Observation Bar is the “cool” quarters for locals who want to enjoy delicious drinks while chilling after a long work day, it is also the playground for hotel guests and tourists who want to take in the Queen’s beauty, sip a signature drink and let loose after dark!

Enjoy a Clementine Old Fashion, made with Woodford Reserve, orange marmalade, fresh lemon juice and basil or a Ship to Shore Mule, made with Tito’s Vodka, black and blue berries, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer while taking in the original artwork that hangs over the bar or watching the sun set, you’ll feel transported to paradise without ever leaving the port!

Hours:

Sunday 11am – 12am

Monday-Thursday 12pm – 12am

Fridays & Saturdays 11am – 2am

 

For more information about the Queen Mary, the hotel, tours, and dining please visit queenmary.com.