From the whimsical decor to out-of-this-world, imaginative delicacies, Wonderland is Royal Caribbean’s specialty restaurant that’s meant for adventurous eaters.
I attempted the restaurant for the primary time whereas onboard Symphony of the Seas, and the whole lot concerning the expertise exceeded my expectations.
Unlike most specialty eating places onboard Oasis Class ships, Wonderland will not be situated in Central Park; it’s on the aft on deck 12. The exterior of the restaurant makes it onerous to miss– you’re transported to a fantasy world earlier than you even step inside.
The worth to dine at Wonderland is at the moment $59.99 earlier than gratuity. If you e book upfront through the Cruise Planner, you may rating a reservation for much less!
The decor is loosely primarily based on the magical phrase of Alice and Wonderland. It makes it in order that all the expertise is immersive; it’s not simply concerning the meals.
You will see references to clocks and time, rabbits, together with chairs with rabbit ears, in addition to pink and blue goblets that symbolize the “drink me” and “eat me” potion and cake that trigger Alice to shrink and develop.
As quickly as I walked by way of the doorways, I used to be greeted by the Mad Hatter, who escorted me down the steps to my desk. From there, I used to be launched to my culinary information — aka a waiter — for the night. He was the one who walked me by way of the menu, in addition to offered solutions for every course.
He, nevertheless, by no means offered a bodily menu. Instead, the menu acts as a part of the restaurant’s desk setting. My culinary information instructed me to dip the paintbrush into water and stroke it throughout the “easel.” When I did so, the menu magically appeared!
To start the eating expertise, I needed to take step one, and I believed that was a novel contact!
The menu is damaged down into and impressed by 5 completely different pure components: solar, ice, hearth, earth, and sea. The first three — solar, ice, and hearth — are the appetizers, whereas the latter two make up the entree dishes. The solely exceptions being the liquid lobster and liquid truffle mushroom risotto, as each of these are one-bite appetizers.
The solar factor focuses on vegetable dishes which have been “playfully reinvented”; ice’s are “chilled to exhilarate the palate”; and the ultimate appetizer factor, hearth, radiates “great heat.”
My culinary information mentioned that almost all friends normally stunned by 5 completely different appetizers; nevertheless, you may choose them if you happen to wished to. I opted to order the Mad Hatter’s purple potted shrimp and reconstructed caprese, in addition to the one-bite liquid lobster. For my desk, the culinary information additionally selected the chook’s nest and sashimi of pink and white tuna.
The first appetizer we obtained was the chook’s nest. Presentation sensible, it was probably the most spectacular of the night! To reveal it, a lid was lifted off to launch a thick cloud of smoke. When the dish was introduced out, I couldn’t even see what was inside as a result of smoke.
The two buffalo rooster eggs have been served on prime of a mattress of dry noodles. The yolks had been combined with blue cheese and scorching sauce; nevertheless, they weren’t as creamy as I had anticipated (however I’m not certain what I used to be really anticipating)!
The eggs had a scorching, smoky style that I enjoyed– it’s virtually like I used to be inhaling smoke as I ate! As for the noodles, I didn’t actually take care of them. Even although they’re edible, I believe they operate finest as presentation.
The subsequent appetizer was the reconstructed caprese, which is truthfully a fantastic dish for pickier eaters!
Three “tomatoes” have been served on prime of goat and bocconcini cheeses with a blue cheese meringue and basil puree.
The center “tomato,” nevertheless, was really a reconstructed tomato! To efficiently accomplish this, a tomato is first hung to dry, drained, then blended with agar and Bloody Mary combine. While which will sound a bit difficult, it didn’t style a lot completely different than a daily caprese salad.
It was enjoyable, too, as I needed to faucet the reconstructed tomato to interrupt it open.
Next was the liquid lobster. Despite the identify of the dish, there was, in reality, a bit of lobster that was topped with caviar. Reading liquid lobster on the menu, that was not what I anticipated, so I used to be pleasantly stunned. This was additionally my first time making an attempt caviar and bone marrow! After the chook’s nest, this was my second favourite appetizer!
I used to be most disillusioned with the Mad Hatter’s purple potted shrimp, because it was a single shrimp served in a holographic mini-mug that lacked the scotch bonnet taste that was indicated on the menu.
The shrimp is marinated in lime earlier than being breaded with a crispy coating, which, for my part, was too thick, because it takes away from the flavour and texture of the shrimp.
At the underside of the mug was a mayonnaise primarily based sauce that was infused with scotch bonnet; nevertheless, as somebody who grew up consuming scotch bonnet scorching sauce, it didn’t have the extent of kick I used to be anticipating.
I’ll admit that I bought just a little too desirous to get the complete Wonderland expertise when our culinary information was strolling us by way of the appetizers. When he requested if he might order the sashimi of pink and white tuna, I mentioned sure. I’ve had uncooked fish a few instances earlier than, and the feel will not be one which I enjoy– oops!
Looking again, I ought to have at the least tried the tuna; nevertheless, I ate the wafer crisp and citrus topping, each of which was good! As an ice factor, the whole lot on the plate was chilled. The sashimi was really inside ice balls that needed to be damaged open! I believe in case you are a fan of tuna, you may take pleasure in this dish!
The two entree components are earth and sea. Earth dishes are “grounded in whimsy,” whereas sea’s are “oceanic inspirations from the tide of the creativeness.”
For my entree, I ordered the rib “I” luscious brief rib that was completed with a white wine discount sauce and served with mashed potatoes. The beneficiant sized portion of meat was cooked for 5 hours and served with pink and yellow relish, pumpkin sauce, and a beet purée.
Truthfully, it was in all probability the most effective brief rib I’ve ever had. The meat was extremely tender, and I can’t recover from the discount sauce! I even preferred to eat it with the beet purée.
This can be one other dish that I’d suggest for choosy eaters! If you don’t like sauces, it’s simple to keep away from them, as they’re all served on the aspect. Plus, the mashed potatoes are fairly easy.
There’s not a dessert menu, so you’ll have to be ready to be stunned by your culinary information. The desserts, although, are the place Wonderland shines! I’d return to the restaurant only for them.
Not solely are the displays enjoyable, however they’re scrumptious! I’d argue that they style even higher than they appear.
The mystical mushroom backyard was comprised of three completely different “mushrooms.” The giant heart one was made from white chocolate pistachio mousse, whereas the 2 little ones have been infused with cayenne pepper. They had an attention-grabbing kick that I’m not used to with desserts, so the small aspect of mango sorbet was a pleasant contact! Actually, the cayenne mushroom went very nicely with the sorbet; the flavors actually balanced one another out.
The second dessert was referred to as a chocolate orb referred to as “the world.” While it was nonetheless good, I a lot most well-liked the paranormal mushroom backyard, as I’m not the most important fan of heavy chocolate desserts, so I actually appreciated how my culinary information introduced two completely different sorts of desserts. I’d have been disillusioned if each have been chocolate primarily based!
A scorching chocolate sauce was poured overtop, which broke down the chocolate exterior to disclose a vanilla ice cream and peanut butter inside. While I believed that presentation was neat, the 2 items of popcorn and stray raspberries appeared to be rushed onto the plate with out a lot intention or goal.
Throughout my dinner, I had the prospect to attempt two of their signature cocktails: Down the Rabbit Hole and the Cheshire Cat Cosmo. While I believed the idea of the cosmo was higher, I most well-liked the style of Down the Rabbit Hole.
It was crafted with Belvedere pink grapefruit vodka, St. Germaine, contemporary lemon juice, merely syrup, and just a little little bit of glowing wine. You get to decide on if you need a pink or blue “capsule” on the backside, referencing the identical “Eat Me” and “Drink Me” potions because the goblets.
With the Cheshire Cat Cosmo you get to look at the cotton sweet dissolve when the cocktail portion is poured on prime of it! However, I believe it is likely to be one of many sweetest cocktails I’ve ever.
Should you eat at Wonderland?
Wonderland caters to friends who need to take their style buds on a culinary journey not like another. Most of the dishes are somewhat unconventional (have you ever ever seen liquid mushrooms on another menu?), so to get probably the most out of your expertise, it is advisable to be open minded and keen to making an attempt new issues.
That being mentioned, it’s nonetheless attainable to have a very good time at Wonderland even in case you are a pickier eater, as your culinary information will make it easier to select appetizers and entrees primarily based in your likes and dislikes. Due to the preparation strategies, nevertheless, you’ll nonetheless should be ready for dishes not like something you have ever had.
From decor, to service, and meals high quality, it’s simple to say that this was top-of-the-line meals I had on the cruise!
If you do not assume Wonderland is for you however nonetheless need to step inside this fantasy world, there is a bar that’s situated on the highest stage! You don’t must make reservations for it, and you should use your drink bundle there.