How do you politely ask for fish to be cooked to your preference? I prefer white fish to be cooked just until it turns opaque, so it stays flaky and full of flavor. On a recent cruise, the fish in the buffet was well-cooked, but in the main dining room, it was consistently overcooked and dry. With steak or tuna, you can specify how you want it cooked, but how do you request the same for white fish without sounding rude?
To have it made “medium rare plus,” please ask. particularly when serving fish.
Simply let them know how you want it prepared. I was recently asked how I wanted my salmon hibachi cooked at a hibachi restaurant. And for $20 worth of food, that was a $6 meal deal. It goes without saying that a cruise ship should worry if a place like THAT will inquire.
In my opinion, NCL is the only place where you’d truly have a decent chance of getting that specified and obtained for NDR.
Considering that everything is prepared to order and it resembles a typical restaurant.
Did you make a special request in the NCL MDR for this?
If not, I guess you’ll have to go to specialty eateries.
@Gordon Thought it was a generic inquiry about cruises, perhaps you are correct and we should concentrate on that particular line. I’ve booked two cruises: one with NCL, which is the one I’m curious about, and the other with Azamara, where there are no problems.
One of the things you can’t expect on mass market lines is hot food that is cooked to your liking. One of the main distinctions between the luxury lines is that. It’s the epitome of what you receive for your money!
@Grande Have to admit I find people’s reactions a bit surprising - overall have found people to be quite picky on cruises while Im more of a take it as it comes - but apparently how fish is done is controversial haha
I’m not asking for anything special, literally its what I would get in the school cafeteria at lunch as a kid and the way they serve it at the buffe at the same ship so I dont understand why people seem to think Im being unreasonably picky in the MDR. But got a few tips and if that doesnt work Ill keep my fishy habits to port lunch and stay with burgers and fries on the ship
- On small lines aka luxury this isnt an issue as the fish isnt overcooked so no need to ask for anything different. Of course for any red meat incl. beef, venison, etc. as well as tuna, salmon and scallops they always ask so again never an issue and its always made to order
No, they are not set up to cook fish to order in the main dining room. You can request customized cooking from room service.
I concur! I adore fish and seafood in general, but I rarely order it when sailing because it’s always overdone. I’ve only been successful in specialist eateries.
@Jayden because they overcook something, it makes me unhappy because it feels like food wasted, and it’s absurd because they can do it correctly in both Boeuf and Spec places.
That is challenging. I can’t manage to convince them not to overcook my steak or eggs. Fish is not as good.
@Jemmy Indeed, when it comes to the steak, I’ll even go to the extent of making myself look bad by emphasizing that I want it really rare, almost like mooing, or something. Usually, though, they remember and tell the cooks about the crazy woman in the dining room, so you end up with something that resembles what you requested.
@Candy I agree! My favorite is Pittsburgh. Seldom! The specialty steakhouse will occasionally reach peak perfection. However, occasionally the waiter isn’t even close when I show him the picture. Occasionally, I ponder whether they fear the chef.
@Jemmy The combination of black and blue is the greatest thing ever; I will visit any place that claims they can pull it off. I’ve heard that most kitchens don’t always have the equipment or know-how to execute it.
Amazingly, it can also be done with tuna.
Consider your query from the cook’s perspective. He cooks fish in a certain way every time. He believes that the fish he serves you is prepared to perfection. The waiter then informs him that one of his customers prefers not to have her fish overdone. He believes that he has never overdone fish. Nothing about what you desire is communicated to the cook by your statement.
If it’s a pork chop or steak, you can provide the internal temperature. Your best option might be to prepare white fish to your own standards at home rather than ordering it when dining out.
@Jordan And for just this reason, I raised this question here rather than complaining that the fish on the ship is overcooked. I’ve received some excellent advice, which I will try, and if it doesn’t work, I’ll just stay away from the fish on this line.
I usually ask for medium-rare fish when I get it. particularly salmon. I cannot eat fish that is overdone! You’re paying for the meal and cruise (expensively!). Put it in the order you choose.
Your fish isn’t being custom cooked for you. Its being cooked in large quantities. Its cooked to safe temperature and then held at safe temp until serving.
Don’t need to be particularly courteous just don’t be a jerk. Say “please” to that.
I don’t think you cook the fish on the Same grill that you use to cook a steak well done. It’s funny how cooks can botch that