Cruise Tip: Pinnacle Grill on Holland America Noordam
Cruise Tip: Pinnacle Grill on Holland America Noordam
By WAVEJourney
Dinner at Holland America Line’s Pinnacle Grill on Noordam During an Alaska Cruise!
During our recent 7-night Holland America Line Alaska cruise from Seward to Vancouver, BC, we had dinner at the Pinnacle Grill three times! We’ve always enjoyed our dining experiences at Pinnacle Grill on the other “dam” ships we’ve cruised on, but our meals were exceptionally good on Noordam.
PINNACLE GRILL MENU AND EXPERIENCE:
The menu most definitely has a Pacific Northwest flair, featuring premium regional ingredients creatively prepared, and beautifully presented.
During our first dinner we started with the chef’s mouthwatering mushroom amuse bouche.
Pinnacle Grill Chef’s Mouthwatering Mushroom Amuse Bouche
Next we both had moist and delicious crab cakes with a sweet chili-mustard sauce.
Pinnacle Grill Crab Cakes with a Sweet Chili-Mustard Sauce
Moving on to the main course, Jill was in heaven with her choice of the cedar planked halibut with shrimp scampi, roasted garlic and cilantro butter.
Pinnacle Grill Cedar Planked Halibut with Shrimp Scampi, Roasted Garlic and Cilantro Butter
Viv thought the steamed Alaska King crab legs with drawn butter were worthy of a king!
Pinnacle Grill Steamed Alaska King Crab Legs with Drawn Butter
Sides of baby carrots, Brussel sprouts with pancetta, and fries with truffle aioli made for perfect accompaniments.
Pinnacle Grill Sides of Baby Carrots, Brussel Sprouts and Fries with Truffle Aioli
Desserts of Grand Marnier chocolate volcano cake and Pinnacle souffle – vanilla souffle, mixed berry compote base, and Drambuie cream truffle – wonderfully completed the meal.
Pinnacle Grill Grand Marnier Chocolate Volcano Cake
Pinnacle Grill Vanilla Souffle
SECOND TIME JUST AS DELICIOUS AS THE FIRST:
Returning to the Pinnacle Grill for our final dinner before disembarking Noordam in Vancouver, BC, we repeated a few of our prior menu choices – they were that good!
The chef’s amuse bouche of watermelon and basil gazpacho was light and refreshing.
Pinnacle Grill Chef’s Amuse Bouche of Watermelon and Basil Gazpacho
The do-over of the crab cakes was as excellent as our first encounter.
This time Viv decided the cedar planked halibut with shrimp scampi was the perfect main course selection, and Jill’s choice of the Double R Ranch (premier beef producer from Washington State) 10 oz filet mignon was cooked to the perfect medium rare she ordered.
Pinnacle Grill Double R Ranch 10 oz Filet Mignon
The accompanying Bearnaise and green peppercorn sauces were excellent, especially alongside a jumbo baked potato with all the fixings.
Pinnacle Grill Sides – Roasted Baby Carrots, Classic Whipped Potatoes, Jumbo Baked Potato
Sides of roasted baby carrots and classic whipped potatoes were the appropriate size for sharing.
Dessert was a decadent repeat for Jill – Grand Marnier chocolate volcano cake, while Viv opted for the divine creamy homemade raspberry cheesecake (another excellent choice).
Pinnacle Grill Creamy Homemade Raspberry Cheesecake
ADDITIONAL CHARGE:
Pinnacle Grill is a dining venue that has an extra charge. The additional cost at the time of our sailing was $35 per person for their regular dinner menu, and $49 per person for the special event that was featured one evening of the cruise – Rudi’s Sel De Mer. We found the selection, presentation, quality and fine dining experience well worth the additional fee.
TIP – MAKE A RESERVATION:
If dinner at Pinnacle Grill is something you want to experience during your Holland America cruise, be sure to make a reservation before you leave for your cruise. If the cruise you are taking is one that has a lot of passengers with onboard credit, dining gifts from travel agents, or included a specialty dining package, you may find the entire restaurant booked out when you get aboard.
BOTTOM LINE:
The Pinnacle Grill is always on our dining calendar aboard a Holland America Line ship. They are also open for lunch – fee of $10 – and although we haven’t experienced it yet, friends that have, always thoroughly enjoy it and find the additional charge a super deal. We highly recommend you make sure to book a table on your next HAL cruise to enjoy fine dining that’s as good (or better) than any steak and seafood house we’ve encountered!
Bon Appetit! Viv and Jill
Note: WAVEJourney cruised on Holland America Line Noordam in June 2018, and collaborated on coverage. All opinions and recommendations about this subject are completely our own. Read our full disclosure statement to see our review policy.
