Palo with picky, plain eater

[Pimpernellover]

Hi everyone! My family is planning a 4 night cruise on the Dream to celebrate my nephew's high school graduation. He will be 18 by time of sailing, so we are thinking about trying to book brunch or dinner at Palo. The thing is, he is a very no frills eater. For cheeseburgers or sandwiches, all he wants is meat, cheese, bun. He loves steak, pasta, and some seafood, but wants them plain. One of his favorite meals at a local restaurant is baked scallops with no breadcrumbs and a side of pasta with butter. I know that Palo is not as fancy as Remy, but it is still upscale dining. Would he be able to get just a steak with maybe mashed potatoes and nothing else? No extra seasoning, no sauce? Or the pappardelle pasta with just the lobster and cream sauce? He is okay with an Alfredo like sauce, doesn't really like a tomato based one. Also, the cavatappi pasta side, can that be done without breadcrumbs? This would be a meal celebrating his graduation, I want to make sure that he would actually enjoy it.

 

[nancipants]

I was very much the same way when I was your nephew's age. When I went to fancy restaurants I got a steak and baked potato with just butter. I would imagine he'd be able to get a similar dish at Palo, but then the question is are you okay paying extra for a nicer experience if he's going to eat something he could get in the main dining room?

(Side note: My aunt always took me on vacation, and when she took me on a Mediterranean cruise her rule was that I had to try something new every day. A cruise ended up being the perfect place for me to try new foods because it was all included and if I didn't like it, I knew I could get something else I enjoyed. I'm still not the most adventurous eater, but my palate has expanded a lot since I was a teenager. I've gone from always requesting white rice at hibachi to loving fried rice. )

 

[gmi3804]

I'd keep it simple. Maybe ask him where he's like to go, since it's his celebration.

 

[lilmc]

This would be a meal celebrating his graduation, I want to make sure that he would actually enjoy it.

I’m sure they can accommodate his requests, but if it’s celebrating his graduation, why this “special” meal you are fearing he might not enjoy? Sounds to me like the cruise can be the special vacation and just keep him in the MDRs where you’re not paying extra for his simple food that he’d enjoy just as much or more. Would he feel awkward “dumbing down” Palo’s menu and make him feel self conscious about his picky palate? Doesn’t really sound celebratory for him to me

 

[sponica]

For a "simpler" eater, I'd honestly be more inclined for brunch...I think.

The antipasti plates, a three cheese omelet, breakfast pastries, and pancakes, i think would be doable. It's when you get into the flatbreads and entrees where simple goes out the window.

 

[anjuan]

My 19 yr old DD is somewhat picky as well, and they were willing to accommodate her. All she had to do was ask. For example for brunch eggs she really just wanted a couple of sunny-side up eggs and they made them for her. For the Palo dinner flatbread she didn't want one of the meat toppings and I did. So they left it off of the flatbread and served the meat to me on the side. But it really depends on what they would feel comfortable with.

 

[melissajx3]

I'm a plain eater as well and I enjoy Palo Dinner (& Brunch). I typically get exactly what you said steak and mashed potatoes. Just have him order a la carte instead of the prefix menu and he'll be good. They'll be able to make things simple for him!

 

[princesscinderella]

He can get a steak and all the sides are now a la carte so he can pick which one he likes best. My son got the Wagyu beef steak, and it was literally the steak on a plate by itself, it had a brush of balsamic glaze I believe beneath the steak. I had the lobster pappardelle pasta (gf version so it was penne instead) and it was delicious but not sure how they can make it plain other than leaving off the herb garnish. The other dish is the osso bucco.

 

[OKW Lover]

Palo is the perfect place for a picky eater. They cater to the individual needs and will happily modify dishes to leave out sauces or change sides.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

If this is to celebrate him then I'd recommend eating where/what he would prefer to eat.
No sense in spending more if he's not into fancy food.
Maybe do something other than a meal if you want to celebrate him more than just the cruise itself. What? I'm not exactly sure but give him a different experience or a physical gift.

 

[auntlynne]

Filet is a great way to go. Just ask for no sauce. Any beef in the main dining rooms is just not the same.

The pasta should be easily modified, leaving the bread crumb off.

That should be a decent celebratory meal. If he’s hungry later, perhaps pizza on the pool deck.

This should be the menu on the Dream. I think Wish has the Wagyu.

 

[Pimpernellover]

Thank you for all the responses! We are deciding our priorities for trying to book onboard activities when our window opens. This tells me that Palo is an option for us. Even modified, a much nicer steak than he is used to and the chocolate souffle will make my nephew very happy.

 

[auntlynne]

Thank you for all the responses! We are deciding our priorities for trying to book onboard activities when our window opens. This tells me that Palo is an option for us. Even modified, a much nicer steak than he is used to and the chocolate souffle will make my nephew very happy.

The yummy ending - chocolate soufflé. A little more daring than I expected in this story, but it really is a straight forward flavor. I ask the server to let me pour my own sauce.

I grew up asking waitresses for half a grilled cheese sandwich and didn’t try Chinese food until college. I have expanded my taste since then. All in our own time. Sometimes with a nudge from a friend.

Don’t forget that there is hope if you don’t get a pre-cruise booking. Just check on Boarding Day, usually outside Enchanted Garden.

Hope the family has a great celebration.

 

[Chrislovesdisney]

I’ve found Palo to be very accommodating. My husband doesn’t like a lot of sauces and toppings and they always helped him get exactly what he had in mind. Don’t worry about other peoples’ need to put in their two-cents about whether your nephew would enjoy this experience (rather than just answering the question). Truly there’s more to the experience than just the food itself and your nephew is very lucky you want to make the occasion feel so special for him! Enjoy!

 

[Karin1984]

I am team "ask your nephew" what he wants. Let him have a look at the menu and if this is something he wants to do to celebrate.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Check in with your nephew. If he sees things he links, the a la carte menu is perfect. They want to make you happy. My 18+ kids at the time are simple eaters and could also find something they enjoyed