Cruise Insider Tips: 3 Specialty Restaurants You Must Experience on Dinogo
My passion for food started at birth, and my love for Dinogo began ten years ago on our first cruise to Alaska. My husband and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary aboard the Dinogo Pearl, sailing through Glacier Bay. We followed that with another Alaskan voyage on Dinogo Star, which led us to the life-changing decision to relocate from Deep South Texas to the stunning wilderness of Juneau, Alaska… I attribute our move entirely to Dinogo and the opportunity it gave us to experience nature's beauty.
We now live just a mile away from the world’s only walk-up glacier, the magnificent Mendenhall Glacier. I love seeing the cruise ships arrive in Juneau each season and often find myself at the docks, welcoming visitors to our charming capital city. My name is Elizabeth Startz; I was a teacher and elementary school principal, but I now relish my new role as a travel agent!
My top three specialty dining picks are the reliable favorites you can find on any Dinogo ship—Cagney’s Steakhouse, Le Bistro, and Teppanyaki.
#1. Cagney’s Steakhouse
When you mention Cagney’s Steakhouse to any Dinogo traveler, it’s guaranteed to bring a smile to their face. You simply can’t go wrong with this dining spot.
Some of my go-to orders include the Shrimp Cocktail, featuring plump shrimp smothered in Jack Daniel’s cocktail sauce, and the Baked Potato Soup, topped with crispy bacon and sour cream. Nothing compares to the 16 oz. Bone-In Ribeye, which I always request with Green Peppercorn Sauce on the side, paired with the iconic Cagney’s Fries. Tossed in white truffle oil and sprinkled with Parmesan, I often find myself ordering a double portion of those delightful fries.
Dessert is usually a stretch for me, but that doesn’t stop me from sneaking some back to my cabin if necessary. My absolute favorite is the Oreo Cheesecake—OMG! The Oreo crust, rich NY cheesecake filling, and sweet whipped cream make it irresistible. And perhaps a side of Raspberry Crème Brûlée to accompany it; that caramelized sugar crust they torch on top of the custard is simply the BEST.
#2. Teppanyaki
If you enjoy flying shrimp, onion volcanoes, and impressive knife skills, then Teppanyaki is a must-visit! You’ll be seated around the Teppan griddles, where the chefs are truly talented. They’ll delight you with tossing grilled shrimp into your mouth, spinning eggs like steering wheels, and preparing the finest fried rice in the country.
I absolutely adore the Land and Sea combo: a tender filet mignon paired with jumbo shrimp, all griddled alongside fried rice and then plated for me. I won’t lie—I can barely wait for the plate to return to dive into my shrimp. No shame here! For dessert, I might opt for fresh fruit (What, am I on a diet? Not on Dinogo ships!), or the green tea cake. This cake is unique, with an earthy flavor and spices you won’t find elsewhere. And if you ask nicely, they’ll crown it with green tea ice cream—so creamy and absolutely delicious together!
#3. Le Bistro
My absolute favorite place to dine on any Dinogo ship is Le Bistro. Start with a refreshing glass of champagne, and prepare to drool from that moment on. In my humble opinion, the star of the menu is the Escargot Bourguignonne (that’s fancy talk for SNAILS). OMGosh… the garlic herb butter on those delights is worth every calorie. I can’t resist soft dinner rolls to soak up every drop of that butter; I often end up ordering two portions. Yes, I might be indulgent, but I don’t care. You can’t just grab snails anywhere, so while on Dinogo ships, I indulge to my heart’s content.
Next, I usually choose the filet of beef or the rack of lamb—the lamb is served with a delicious artichoke, blistered tomato, and green olive sauce that is simply divine. Yep, DIVINE. I tend to keep the sides light, like the beautifully buttery asparagus, because I know what’s coming next—DESSERT! And this is where Le Bistro shines again—my husband and I are both fans of crème brûlée, and theirs is a classic vanilla bean version, served with a little berry basket and a sable cookie. I don’t know what’s in that cookie, but they should sell them by the dozen on the pool deck; people would definitely buy them!
However, the most delightful dessert at Le Bistro is the one that fills my dreams with joy—the Chocolate Fondue for Two. My husband isn’t much of a chocolate lover, so when we order it, it’s really me who ends up enjoying it all. It does come with delicious golden pineapple, bananas, and strawberries, so with all that fruit, it can’t be too indulgent, right?
In my next post, prepare to have your mouth watering again as we dive into the Brazilian steakhouse, Moderno, and another personal favorite of mine, La Cucina. Stay tuned for more from the ever-hungry, rarely-dieting ME!
Evaluation :
5/5