Let’s dive into the culinary wonders of the Virgin Voyages Test Kitchen restaurant. I recently had the pleasure of exploring the unique offerings of this culinary experience at sea. Join me as we set sail on a gastronomic journey, exploring flavors, and savoring the extraordinary dining experiences that make cruising with Virgin Voyages a delectable delight. So, let’s uncover the magic that awaits within the Test Kitchen’s innovative dishes and captivating ambiance!
What is The Test Kitchen aboard Virgin Voyages?
The Test Kitchen is part science lab, part unconventional cooking school, and a dining experience like none other. The inspiration for this restaurant is the chef Auguste Escoffier’s Ma Cuisine. Auguste Escoffier is considered the founder of modern cuisine. He championed fresh, wholesome ingredients from farm to table which is in line with the goals of Virgin Voyages. Fun fact, Escoffier menus inspired the last menu in the first-class dining room when the Titanic sank in 1912.
Unlike other restaurants aboard Virgin Voyages ships, this restaurant does not have a menu you can look at ahead of time and decide what you want to order. The menu is always changing and can even vary from one evening to the next. The menu is also prix fixe. A prix fixe menu offers a multi-course meal with a set menu. A prix fixe menu is the guest saying to the chef and the restaurant, “you do you.” They’re menus that showcase the chef’s talent, the restaurant’s expertise, and the concept’s approach to dining. The experts choose the food. You just eat it. It’s a guided tour. While Virgin Voyages does accommodate food allergies, this meal is more for foodies than picky eaters.
My Test Kitchen Experience
I sailed on the Valiant Lady and dined at The Test Kitchen on my second night. I would have to say that this meal was my favorite on board and I could have eaten there every night if allowed.
We were greeted with an appetizer drink. The science of the drink was explained, though I did not catch most of the explanation due to the accent of the server.
The decor is very cute! As you can see from my picture above the wall art is a foodie periodical table. The vases are science beakers, and dishes have a “sterile” look like you are dining in a laboratory. This is a “shared” dining experience where you may be seated with other cruisers. My husband and I sat in a smaller room and for most of the meal, we had the room to ourselves so that was pretty special and romantic to me. We did miss out on the cooking in front of us experience though so next time I cruise I will request dining in the main room.
Once you are seated you can see the “menu”. The menu is just the main ingredient that is being served. Once you are served the item, the server will let you know what it is, how it was prepared, and how to enjoy it best.
As you can see the menu is 6 courses! While most of the plates are small bites it is a very filling meal. The stand-out dishes in my meals were the egg, venison/beef, and chocolate.
I am not a fan of mushrooms but went out of my comfort zone and ate this dish. The big “mushroom” is actually a mushroom paté. They served it with toasted bread to spread it on. It was ok, but like I said I do not like mushrooms. My husband who loves mushrooms said it was delicious! I loved the flavor that the flowers added.
I thought the egg was such an interesting dish! The yolk was smoked, surrounded by peas, and topped with some caviare. You’re supposed to break the yolk, smash the peas a little, and then mix everything and spread on some warm bread. It was divine though the combination sounded very weird.
Next were the scallops which were served in a broth along prosciutto and spinach. Now, I am extremely picky about seafood. If it is overcooked or just not cooked right in general I can tell. These scallops were cooked to perfection! The saltiness of the prosciutto and the freshness of the spinach made the broth decadent.
The next course was the main course. This is the course where you do get a choice. My husband chose the venison and I chose the beef. All the other ingredients were the same. The meat was cooked perfectly! Then the server placed some chocolate on top, then melted the chocolate with this amazing gravy. The strange combination of fruit, chocolate, and steal tasted like heaven. This whole meal made me feel like Remy and his firework flavors scene in his movie.
The accompaniment to the beef was a jicama dish. Not my favorite at all. I think my issue was the texture of the jicama. It wasn’t a horrible dish, just not one of my favorites.
Next was the Blue Cheese dish. This was like a savory cheesecake-type dish. Very tasty! I did not like the ginger boba that topped it but everything else was wonderful!
Finally, it was time for dessert – chocolate! I did not quite understand how the server described the dessert because of the heavy accent. It tasted like a deconstructed cake/cheesecake combination. It was very good and very rich. Experiencing such culinary delights is just one part of the amazing journey on Virgin Voyages.
Overall, it was a fantastic meal and one you should plan on making a reservation for on your Virgin Voyages cruise.
The Test Kitchen Tips
- Don’t Avoid the Test Kitchen because you are a “Picky Eater”. I will admit I am a self-proclaimed picky eater. I often still prefer chicken tenders, pepperoni pizza, and fries. Stepping out of my comfort zone is something cruises have allowed me to do. I feel more adventurous since you are not paying for the food out of pocket. Let’s say you go and don’t want to eat or try anything they serve. No big deal, try a bite from the Galley, The Pizza Place, or even room service afterward.
- Reserve More Than Once. If you are on a longer sailing you can reserve this restaurant more than once. Try a meal near the beginning of your journey and then another near the end. The meals will likely be different even if the star ingredients are the same.
- Pack Stomach Aids. Not just for this meal but for cruise dining in general. Your stomach is eating a lot of different foods and probably more food than you normally eat. Don’t let your evening get ruined by an upset stomach.
- Take Your Time. This meal is served one course at a time and each bite is to to savored.
- Get a Wine or Cocktail Suggestion. Since the meal is unique in flavor, your server will know the perfect accompanying drinks to serve.
This exquisite meal perfectly captures the essence of the luxury and attention to detail you can expect throughout your entire Virgin Voyages cruise.
As we savor the delightful memories of my culinary experience with Virgin Voyages, the concept of their Test Kitchen truly comes to life – a symphony of flavors and innovation. My Pixie Dusted Journey through this gastronomic adventure left me in awe of the unique dining experience they offer. From the moment the first dish arrived, each bite felt like a journey of its own.
Ready to set sail on a fantastic Virgin Voyage? Your cruise dreams are about to come true with Pixie Dusted Journeys – Travel Planner with FG Luxury! As your Gold-Certified First Mate travel advisor, I’m all about making your booking as easy as a breeze and unforgettable as a sea adventure should be. From snagging a spot at Test Kitchen to ensuring every onboard moment rocks, I’ve got your back. Simply use my booking link, and get ready for a journey full of fun and fabulous memories. Smooth seas ahead!