Sarah Bretz, ContributorOceania Cruises has announced that its signature French restaurant, Jacques, will be aboard its newest ship launching in July, Allura.
Named after renowned chef Jacques Pépin, Oceania’s first-ever Executive Culinary Director, the sophisticated venue is already a crowd favorite with guests sailing on Marina and Riviera.
In addition, Jacques will make its debut aboard Allura‘s sister ship Vista in October 2025. The line’s restaurants also include Polo Grill steakhouse, Italian restaurant Toscana, and pan-Asian Red Ginger — all found aboard all four of the line’s 1,200+ guest ships.
“Jacques is our culinary patriarch, having been a member of the culinary team since day one,” said Frank A. Del Rio, president of Oceania Cruises. “His creativity and expertise form the very heart of our philosophy, The Finest Cuisine at Sea, which drives everything we do. Bringing this fabulous restaurant to Allura as she launches this summer, and to Vista later in the year, means the world to me, and the entire Oceania Cruises family.”
Oceania Cruises’ two Executive Culinary Directors and Master Chefs of France, Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale, will be working with Chef Pépin to bring new flavors to the menu, as well as honing the well-loved dishes that have been on the menu since Jacques was first introduced to the fleet when Marina was launched.
Oceania Cruises’ most-loved dishes from Jacques aboard Marina and Riviera will remain on the menu, alongside a selection of new options. These include duck with a Grand Marnier-infused orange sauce and a veal medallion with a morel sauce, in addition to new vegetarian dishes. For those with a sweet tooth, classic French desserts Crêpes Suzette and profiteroles will join other delicious choices on the dessert trolley.
Guests can look forward to more experiential dining in Jacques through the introduction of tableside service for a range of new dishes, including beef tartare. This, plus new crockery, glassware, and silverware will reinforce the importance of “l’art de la table,” augmenting the authentic Parisian bistro experience.
“I am so excited to be writing the next chapter of Jacques with my friends and colleagues, Chefs Alexis Quaretti and Eric Barale,” said Chef Pépin. “This is the perfect opportunity to experiment with some delicious new dishes and to explore unique ways to serve some of the classics that our guests have come to know and love. We have lots of exciting plans for this latest iteration of Jacques. I cannot wait to share them.”
Comments
What’s your favorite specialty restaurant cuisine to enjoy during a cruise? Are you a fan of French food? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!
