Remy VS Palo

[hawky7]

Hi everyone!

We are FINALLY sailing on the Dream in January!! We've been on the Wonder 5 times, and always quite enjoy the peace and quiet that goes with dining at Palo... So for all of you who have been on the new ships, can you tell me what it's like in Remy? Is it worth the $75 per person, or should I just stick to Palo?

Would love feedback on everyone's thoughts and what they liked better!

Thanks much!!

 

[kcashner]

They are 2 totally different experiences. Palo is fine dining, but is sort of "normal" as in somewhere I might go now and then. It is similar to a signature restaurant at WDW (you know, the 2 credit ones). Remy is like Victoria and Albert. It is incredible, amazing, and like no place I'd ever go in my "real life." It's a special treat, vacation very rare sort of thing.

 

[jdb in AZ]

the maitre'd kissed my hand, both coming and going. that kinda weirded me out, actually.

Theming is cute as well as elegant(!) -- only restaurant I know of that is themed around a rat.

I was wearing a black dress and they didn't want me to get white lint on it from a white linen napkin, so they gave me a burgundy napkin. Then they gave me a fresh napkin during the dessert course. No, i wasn't being messy, they just brought it.

They served deep-fried tomato soup cubes.

They had a chocolate tidbit that literally exploded in DH's mouth. Like it was supposed to. He did keep his mouth closed (as warned) but still ended up with chocolate on his shirt.

Waiter was very knowledgeable about each dish -- I wonder how long it took him to memorize the spiel.

We aren't into alcoholic drinks so instead of the champagne toast they brought some kind of fruit drink in a martini(?) glass -- best smoothie I've ever had.

Received an elegant long-stemmed red rose which stayed fresh in our stateroom for the next several days, til the end of the cruise. Stateroom host found a vase for it, but the rose was so much longer that I propped it up with the tongs on top of the ice bucket. The stateroom host then thought it needed some sunlight so he set it out on the balcony while he cleaned.

As we were leaving, a family with a 12-yr-old boy tried to enter Remy, claiming their travel agent had made reservations that included the kid. um, doubtful. The mom had her excuses ready -- she couldn't send him elsewhere because she didn't want him eating junque food. hullo? They were still pleading their case as DH and I rode off into the sunset (o.k. off into the elevator) but I'm betting the pushy momma did not win the battle on that one.

 

[luv2sleep]

the maitre'd kissed my hand, both coming and going. that kinda weirded me out, actually.

Theming is cute as well as elegant(!) -- only restaurant I know of that is themed around a rat.

I was wearing a black dress and they didn't want me to get white lint on it from a white linen napkin, so they gave me a burgundy napkin. Then they gave me a fresh napkin during the dessert course. No, i wasn't being messy, they just brought it.

They served deep-fried tomato soup cubes.

They had a chocolate tidbit that literally exploded in DH's mouth. Like it was supposed to. He did keep his mouth closed (as warned) but still ended up with chocolate on his shirt.

Waiter was very knowledgeable about each dish -- I wonder how long it took him to memorize the spiel.

We aren't into alcoholic drinks so instead of the champagne toast they brought some kind of fruit drink in a martini(?) glass -- best smoothie I've ever had.

Received an elegant long-stemmed red rose which stayed fresh in our stateroom for the next several days, til the end of the cruise. Stateroom host found a vase for it, but the rose was so much longer that I propped it up with the tongs on top of the ice bucket. The stateroom host then thought it needed some sunlight so he set it out on the balcony while he cleaned.

As we were leaving, a family with a 12-yr-old boy tried to enter Remy, claiming their travel agent had made reservations that included the kid. um, doubtful. The mom had her excuses ready -- she couldn't send him elsewhere because she didn't want him eating junque food. hullo? They were still pleading their case as DH and I rode off into the sunset (o.k. off into the elevator) but I'm betting the pushy momma did not win the battle on that one.

What nerve!

Interesting description. Think it was worth it? Would you do it again?

 

[kcashner]

As we were leaving, a family with a 12-yr-old boy tried to enter Remy, claiming their travel agent had made reservations that included the kid. um, doubtful. The mom had her excuses ready -- she couldn't send him elsewhere because she didn't want him eating junque food. hullo? They were still pleading their case as DH and I rode off into the sunset (o.k. off into the elevator) but I'm betting the pushy momma did not win the battle on that one.

Did you see the $60K crystal rat? Only on DCL.

Um....yeah...some people will try anything. They'll lose this one. DCL is strict about the adults only policy in both Palo and Remy. You may see a young looking person, but their passport or birth certificate will say they are at least 18. I'm only aware of one exception EVER having been made to this policy--some celebrity from the Disney Channel and her entourage were allowed to eat in the private dining room. Sorry, I don't know the teeny bopper stars any more to tell you who she was.

They claimed to have MADE a reservation for a 12 year old? Sorry, that's impossible. When my DD turned 18 during the cruise, we had to go outside normal channels to make a reservation for her (the computer keeps your age at boarding till the end of the cruise). A call to the shoreside supervisor who sent a message to the dining manager got us the reservation, but we were warned that it wouldn't show up on our documents because the computer couldn't process it. No problem with that. She had a great birthday dinner.

And a 12 year old can go to the MDR on his own.

 

[Namsupak]

As noted above there is not a real comparison. Remy is a whole tier above Palo. We like both restaurants but the Remy experience is very special. Honestly one of the best restaurants we have been to at sea or on land. We thought it was worth every penny.

 

[jdb in AZ]

It's not something we'd do every cruise, but Remy was fun for a different(!) change of pace.

DH figures we'd already paid for the cruise meals, why add an extra $150 on top of that (plus extra tip) but I told him to look at it as a shore excursion.

Don't know how soon we'll sail on the Fantasy again (we're sailing on the Wonder again in six months) but I imagine I'll talk him into another Remy dinner eventually. Or we could do Remy brunch next time.

Palo has great ambience, away from the noise of the MDR's, and we prefer the brunch to dinner, but we've been on other cruises with better brunches without the upcharge.

 

[darkwing818]

They are 2 totally different experiences. Palo is fine dining, but is sort of "normal" as in somewhere I might go now and then. It is similar to a signature restaurant at WDW (you know, the 2 credit ones). Remy is like Victoria and Albert. It is incredible, amazing, and like no place I'd ever go in my "real life." It's a special treat, vacation very rare sort of thing.

This PP sums it up quite nicely. Bottom line do Remy for dinner, you won't regret it , and then hit Palo for brunch on the Sea Day.

 

[luv2sleep]

Is Remy brunch similar to Palo Brunch?

 

[jedijill]

Remy is fantastic! I did both the champagne lunch and dinner on my cruise last month and would do both again in a heartbeat!

The champagne lunch is not comparable to Palo brunch. It is a 6 course fixed menu with optional champagne pairings (one glass is included.)

I love Palo as well but it is a completely different experience.

Jill in CO

 

[disneyfan888]

Remy is absolutely fantastic. The food is great, the atmosphere lovely and the service top notch, but we prefer Palo. While we enjoyed the experience and have absolutely nothing against the restaurant or service, we don't see ourselves going out of our way to reserve it on every cruise we take. Its great, but with all the wonderful food on the ship, we find no need to spend over $200 extra for food and tip. I do encourage people to try it, just not something we are going to die if we dont do. We can certainly live with out it. However, Palo is a must for us and will remain that way.

 

[jd99]

Maybe we are spoiled by other dining experiences but we liked Remy and were really happy we did it but didn't love it. Food was fantastic yes, but the service was just way too cold. Servers had lots of knowledge but no personality. Glad we did it once but wouldn't do it again. On the other hand we love Palo for dinner. Perhaps it's our mediterranean roots (wife is Greek, I'm Italian). It just is so much more friendly and warm and fun. And we love the food and the servers. Not a huge fan of the Palo brunch - it's nice but I think dinner is very romantic and special at Palo. Just my humble opinion.

 

[jd99]

Maybe we are spoiled by other dining experiences but we liked Remy and were really happy we did it but didn't love it. Food was fantastic yes, but the service was just way too cold. Servers had lots of knowledge but no personality. Glad we did it once but wouldn't do it again. On the other hand we love Palo for dinner. Perhaps it's our mediterranean roots (wife is Greek, I'm Italian). It just is so much more friendly and warm and fun. And we love the food and the servers. Not a huge fan of the Palo brunch - it's nice but I think dinner is very romantic and special at Palo. Just my humble opinion.

 

[disneyfan888]

Maybe we are spoiled by other dining experiences but we liked Remy and were really happy we did it but didn't love it. Food was fantastic yes, but the service was just way too cold. Servers had lots of knowledge but no personality. Glad we did it once but wouldn't do it again. On the other hand we love Palo for dinner. Perhaps it's our mediterranean roots (wife is Greek, I'm Italian). It just is so much more friendly and warm and fun. And we love the food and the servers. Not a huge fan of the Palo brunch - it's nice but I think dinner is very romantic and special at Palo. Just my humble opinion.

I absolutely agree!

 

[Plselv]

Hi everyone!

We are FINALLY sailing on the Dream in January!! We've been on the Wonder 5 times, and always quite enjoy the peace and quiet that goes with dining at Palo... So for all of you who have been on the new ships, can you tell me what it's like in Remy? Is it worth the $75 per person, or should I just stick to Palo?

Would love feedback on everyone's thoughts and what they liked better!

Thanks much!!

We've done both & will probably do both again. Comparing the two is apples & oranges: Both are excellent, but Remy's is an experience vs. a night out to dinner at Palo's. It's as formal as formal can be without having to dress formally--3 full hours, 9 courses, palate preppers / cleansers, dedicated server staff, formality around the table (settings, serving, pace of courses), & extras--longstem roses for women + chocolates to go. I'm certain the staff personalize a little for each dining group, so I'm not sure how much of what we saw is routine or because we seemed to have so much fun with the staff, but ladies leaving our table during dinner were escorted to the ladies' room & back. Blew me away!

 

[kcashner]

One thing....we did 2 nights in Palo on our last cruise. When we showed up, the Palo manager asked if we were there for Remy or Palo.....the smile on his face when we replied "Palo" spoke volumes.

 

[MarineFam]

We have done Pallo the last two Cruises on the Magic and will do it again this April when we are on the Fantasy (for the first time). I don't see us doing Remy because of the more money. We were very happy with Pallo and don't really want to be away from the MDR and the family for more than 1 night for dinner. Pallo is a must for us though!!!

 

[over50visits]

Is Remy brunch similar to Palo Brunch?

No way. Palo Brunch is a buffet, Remy is a fixed menu with several courses served to your table. Like comparing their dinners, they are in different classes.

Better? Remy. More expensive? Remy. Underpriced considering the menu and the memorable experience.

More casual? Palo. Larger selection? Palo. Less expensive? Palo.

 

[mjackson]

Just got off the Fantasy and tried both for dinner. IMO Remy was an experience and the food was great but I will not go back. Remy seemed too stuffy for me and not as personal as Palo. I have eaten at French restaurants before and knew the portions would be very small however when the the soup was a miniature deep fried cube the size of crouton and the servers asked how did we enjoy the soup I had to giggle. Also my wife liked a glass of wine we got from the Meridian bar outside the restaurant and asked for a glass to which the service said they could not offer this and had to choose from their list. In Palo they specifically got the wine she wanted. Also our group were not cheese people so when we passed on the cheese tray they seemed upset. The dessert was great however very rich on chocolate so we ate some but not all then chef even came over seemed upset and a little arrogant we did not finish the dessert. Were as our Palo experience was fantastic and the food was just as good IMO. Our server was excellent and very personable.

We cancelled our Remy brunch due to the dinner experience and when the Palo manager learned of this he made us a special table for a second Palo brunch on the last sea day even though they were booked. Again we felt the service was better and more personal.

Can't go wrong with either but will depend on what you like. Its French vs Italian and we lean to the Italian side. Enjoy.

 

[madduck]

I agree 100% with what MJACKSON just wrote.It feels like we were at the same table.