You’d Never Guess This Gourmet Restaurant Was on a Cruise Ship
“Rémy is not a restaurant, it’s an experience,” says Rémy’s executive chef Raphael onboard the Disney Dream with a thick French accent and a warm smile. Calling to mind classic French cuisine — the gold standard of cooking and fine dining — Rémy’s menu is equal parts archetype and experimental. It’s quintessentially French yet unlike anything you’ve ever tasted before. “The style is old, but the food is new,” says chef Raphael.
Take for instance, the Pain de Saint Jacques scallop dish (above) gives a fresh twist the classic French seafood “bread” terrine. The emulsified scallops are set up to be lightly crisped on the outer edges, giving a final texture akin to a bread pudding or melt-in-your-mouth French toast — but with savory and umami flavors dancing on your palate with every bite. This was just one of several mind-blowing dishes offered at the Champagne brunch, which will run you $75 to $108, depending on whether or not you want the Champagne pairings.
Though Rémy was inspired by the movie Ratatouille, this restaurant’s offerings couldn’t be a further cry from your standard Disney dishes. In fact, it was developed by some of the top chefs on the planet: Arnaud Lallement, and Scott Hunnel. For reference, Lallement has a three Michelin star restaurant in France, and Hunnel was the brains behind the five-diamond restaurant at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort: Victoria & Albert’s.
The two paired up to create a magnificent dining experience aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy cruise ships. Those who appreciate attention to detail will gush over the subtleties, and not just of the dishes — of the restaurant itself, too. The ode to Ratatouille goes well beyond the restaurant’s namesake! Rémy carries rare vintage bottles of wine that were featured in the film, like a Château Cheval Blanc 1947 bordeaux (above). The collection of wines and Champagnes are unparalleled. And because Disney Cruises are able to acquire many of them duty-free, epicureans who set sail and dine at Rémy can try exquisite wines for a better price than they’d find on land.
Rémy does enforce a strict dress code to maintain a more formal atmosphere, which contributes to the overall elevated, fine dining experience. It’s also an adults-only restaurant, meaning you’re not going to hear temper tantrums or see kids showing up in their swimsuits while you’re sipping a Moët Ice Champagne with your caviar-topped lobster (because that is, in fact, a combination on offer, and it’s best enjoyed with a bit of peace and quiet).
Dinner will run you $125 per person in addition to your base cruise price, so factor that into your cruise budget now — there is absolutely no way you should skip this unbelievably fine dining. Because Chef Raphael was right: Rémy is not a restaurant. Rémy is an experience.
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(Photos via Dominique Michelle Astorino)
