This evening our dinner was one I was really looking forward to- Chops Grille! It was absolutely by far the best meal we had onboard Independence and we expected no less for this cruise.
We got the kids fed early (Sorrentos again) and up to the kids clubs ASAP. We had an 8PM reservation and actually wanted to get there-and hopefully seated early because we had the Comedy Show scheduled at 10 and wanted to arrive there with enough time to (hopefully) get a decent seat. Our last meal at Chops-as wonderful as it was- was quite lengthy so we were concerned about the time constraints.
I really love the location of the specialty restaurants on Central Park. It is so beautiful lit up at night, the perfect atmosphere for an elegant, intimate dinner.
The little light show is fun and relaxing to watch:
This evening ominous clouds were overhead and it was actually beginning to sprinkle a bit outside. As we approached the restaurant, we considered the outdoor seating options, I was concerned with the heat, since we had been quite warm at both Ritas and Samba. At least some of the outdoor seating area did have a semi-glass enclosure and appeared to be somewhat air-conditioned but we decided with the chance of rain that it was better to stay inside.
We arrived at chops at about 7:45 PM, not very early for our 8:00 reservation after all. As we checked in, we inquired about being able to be seated early. The restaurant was obviously very busy but the hostess said they would be able to accommodate us, and asked us to take a seat in the waiting area.
We ended up having to wait a while for a table. We watched quite a few couples arrive and be immediately seated and as it grew closer and closer to our 8 PM and our actual reservation time, we really began to get concerned about the time and that we had been overlooked (even though we were the only ones seated waiting for a table). As we saw a few more couples enter the restaurant at 8PM, we decided to get up and return to the hostess stand to express our concern, and as we did so, we were told our table was ready. Hmmm.
Chops was very lovely inside. The décor is rich, with dark woods, heavy fabrics and patterns and intimate low lighting.
We were brought to a very small two-top table in a long line of tables that were booth seating on one side and a chair on the other side. The tables were impossibly close together, less than 2 feet apart- probably more like 18 inches. Even the skinniest of patrons had to turn sideways to squeeze between the tables. I did not care for such tight quarters at ALL. It is impossible to not hear the conversations at the tables adjacent- no matter how hard you try to speak in low tones or whispers, and regular conversations could be hard to hold if tables on both sides of you were talking. I didnt really want to listen in on our neighbors but you really didnt have a choice. And I didnt feel as comfortable about relaxing and enjoying our conversation as well, knowing that we were being heard too (not that we had anything negative or salacious to say, just that I felt rude actually talking, like we were imposing on the tables besides us or something. Call me neurotic but I just would have felt much, much more relaxed with some room to breathe.
Chops Menu:
I was also not as comfortable taking pictures inside Chops. It has a very dark atmosphere and my camera- even my good one- was not a DSLR so I had no choice but to use flash. Flash in a dark restaurant can be quite imposing but especially in such close proximity to others. I did not want to be disturbing everyone so I took only the minimal food porn shots, and I didnt really get any good pictures of the inside of the restaurant.
Here is one picture of the interior, graciously borrowed from Cruise Critic Member QTMicheles awesome review..
And this picture from Beyondships.com shows our table exactly (the 2nd one from the end). You can see the close proximity of the seating arrangements.
We explained to our server that we had the comedy show at 10 and she assured us that would not be a problem. We are pretty fast eaters anyway so I felt comfortable we would make our reservation. I started with her suggestion of the Chops signature cocktail. I wish I could remember better but it was some sort of blackberry and blueberry martini. It was fabulous!
The bread came out shortly afterward. It was a whole grain bread with sun-dried tomato butter. I didnt recall the bread in Chops on Indy being this variety- I recall it being a white bread that we ate way too much of. I didnt care for this bread as much, which is probably a good thing- to avoid filling up on it!
We placed our orders and quickly our appetizers arrived. I chose the Warm Goat Cheese and Basil Soufflé- double baked soufflé served with portabella mushroom confit and creamy sage reduction.
DELICIOUS!!! Rich, cheesy, smooth, everything you would sant in a cheese souffle. The Portabella caps were grilled to perfection. Tender but crisp, and not chewy. YUM!
Ron chose the Dungeness Crab and Shrimp Cake with Remoulade sauce. He also said it was amazing, crispy and flaked with thick chunks of crab shrimp meat.
He also selected the Forest Mushroom Soup-scented with white truffle oil. Earthy, creamy, and just fabulous.
Our meal- despite the unintended intimacy with our neighbors- was off to a pretty good start.
After a short wait came the moment we had been waiting for. Drum roll please
our steaks!
We both selected the Filet Mignon- 10 ounces of a thick and flavorful cut from the tenderloin. Since I like my steak Medium-well, mine was butterflied, which I do not prefer, but it is the standard practice at Chops for medium-well and well-done filets.
And of course
the ever present halved grilled tomato.
Ron likes his steak medium, so his was not butterflied:
We also requested onion rings as a side order, and we shared one of the gigantic football sized Rock-Salt Baked Idaho Potatoes. Since we had mentioned our intention to share the potato, it was served to us already split:
Now, about the steaks
..maybe we had unrealistic built up expectations based on a memory 18 months in the past and our recollection was not as we thought. But- and I hate to say it- the steaks were not GREAT. They were good, but not cut with a spoon, melt in your mouth great like they were on independence. My steak- although a perfect light pink-grey medium well, seemed not quite as tender as it could have been. I could (and should) have stated my preference to not have it butterflied, Im sure, and I would advise those of you out there to do choose to not butterfly if you prefer your meat more on the cooked side. I know they can do it-any good steak house of that caliber should be able to prepare a filet medium -well without having to butterfly. It was still tender enough- and great with the sauce but the meat itself did not have a huge amount of flavor or spice. And I just did not prefer having so much crispiness due to the searing of so much surface area of the steak.
Rons opinion did not differ too much from mine. Very good but not GREAT. We almost felt like the steaks were a little bland. The potato was good (but it just a baked potato after all), and the onion rings were just OK too- nothing special. They tasted a lot like Johnny Rockets onion rings (Ron liked JRs better though).
So, I would not say we were disappointed in the food, just not blown away like we thought we would be. Maybe our expectations were unrealistic. Id like to say they were but in hindsight we had a much better overall experience the next night at Giovannis Table. More on that to come!
Of course we were not leaving without the amazing Mud pie for dessert. I was way too full to even attempt to eat it now, so I chose to take mine to go. Ron could still manage to eat his now though:
Now this did not disappoint a bit. By far the best dessert onboard. Amazingly dense, rich and so chocolately. Sinful!!!
True to her word, our server did have us finished and leaving the restaurant in less than an hour and a half. We did not feel rushed too much however, and like I mentioned we like to eat more fast paced so it worked out well. She hasnt the most personable though, and she had a thick accent that was difficult to understand. Not bad service by any means, just not outstanding either.
Overall we left Chops satisfied but not feeling like wed just had the best meal evah-like we were hoping we would. I really do think our dining experience would have been much improved by a more isolated seating situation. When you are having an intimate romantic dinner- and having three children, we just simply do not get enough of those to just the two of us- you dont want to feel as if you are being eavesdropped on or listening to others (albeit unintentionally). If you go to Chops and want a quiet-more private experience do ask before being seated if you can avoid those tables. If you are the kind that likes meeting tablemates and eating with others those little booth seats may be more for you!
We did have just enough time after dinner to run up to the room, drop off my mud pie and change into more comfortable clothing and shoes. I had worn a pair of heels to chops that was quite uncomfortable. I was retaining a bit of water, and I dont know if it was due to all the walking onboard but my feet had swollen considerably. I hadnt seen such sausages since I was 9 months preggo! Bring comfy shoes, folks!!! I was much, much more comfortable back in my flip-flops!
Up Next; (More) Close Encounters of the Weird Kind
Just can't wait to get back....
That will end up being two years in a row that we cruise the same date. ....assuming those Mayans are wrong.
Now you can start your spreadsheet!
Can't wait to do it again! Next time is a Western- to Cozumel, Jamaica, and Labadee (RCCL's private "island" on Haiti!). 
Ha ha! Now THAT would be interesting! 
I may just have to turn in my Dis card. LOL.
