Hi. We're sailing on the Island Princess in July and wondered about the four specialty restaurants. Has anyone tried them: The Chef's Table, Sabatini's, Crown Grill, Bayou Cafe Steakhouse, and Sterling Steakhouse?
Side question: how are the vegetarian options on board?
Thanks

Post this on the "Cruise" forum (use the "Change Forum" dropdown menu above). You'll get a lot more responses.

We tried Sabatini's & Crown Grill on the Ruby Princess in November. Both were outstanding and well worth the extra charges. Make your reservations as early as you can after you board.

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

My parents have been on two Princess cruises and rave about The Chef's Table and Sabatini's. Reservations go quickly so you have to make them as soon as you can.

From their description, The Chef's Table is a set menu that the communal table enjoys together. You should contact them to see if they can do a vegetarian option for you at the Chef's Table.

we were on Coral Princess in June, and ate at Sabatini's. I thought it was pretty good, but really not better than the dining room. Our group did not find it particularly worth the extra charge.

Since Island is the identical twin of Coral, I don't believe you will find a crown grill or sterling steakhouse. There is only Sabatini's and the Bayou Cafe. The Chef's Table is a special meal, but not an alternative restaurant, and I believe you have to sign up and hope to be selected.

Our favorite thing to eat on the whole ship was the pizza. And cheese pizza is a vegetarian option
I wasn't looking for it specifically, but I believe there was a vegetarian option on the menu in the regular dining room every night, and they looked quite good. I think members of our group chose them a couple of times and liked them. They did tend to be a little small, but the waiter was always willing to bring a second helping if requested.

We did the Panama Canal cruise on the Island Princess last year and they did not have anything but Sabatini's and the Bayou Cafe. We didn't eat in either, but I did want to give you a head's up for the British Pub Lunch they offer on certain days in the Bayou Cafe. There's generally a small blurb about it in the Princess Patter, so look for it because it's definitely good pub grub.

There is always something vegetarian in the buffet. In the restaurants, at least one main dish. No problem if you are not picky.

Thanks for the imput, everyone! We're really looking forward to this!

And be sure to check Crooners Bar, our absolute favorite spot on the Coral Princess. (But it might just have been the Aussie bartender!)

We're back from our trip and had a great time! Orlando_Vic: We ate at Sabatini's and really enjoyed it. Way too much food, though. By the time I got to the entree I was too full to eat it (my husband didn't have that problem)! We were all glad we tried it and felt it was worth the experience.
We went to the Bayou Cafe for the British Pub lunch and it was wonderful. Thanks for the heads up longhorn55!
China_cat: that was the best pizza I ever tasted! We actually ate lunch one day, then walked out to the deck to have a slice because we were all craving it!
I'm surprised we didn't all gain 10 lbs!

Thanks for coming back, musictub, with your dining report. We contributors always like to hear when our tips have been helpful.

yes, thanks for reporting back. I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who went nuts for that pizza. we too ate it for an afternoon snack after a big lunch.

We missed the pub lunch on Coral. I think they did it the day we were in Ketchikan, and we ate lunch in town.