Celebrity Silhouette Specialty Dining: Murano

Goat cheese souffle at Murano.
Goat cheese souffle at Murano.

It may seem like all we did on our vacation was eat, but that is not true. We also drank. Celebrity Silhouette offers six specialty dining venues in addition to the main dining room, Luminae (the suite class dining room), Blu (Aqua Class dining room), and the Oceanview Cafe (buffet). You will not starve on this ship, I promise. One night, ten of us descended on the wine room in Murano. 

It was a long way across the table.
It was a long way across the table.

A private room that can seat up to twelve people, the wine room in Murano is beautiful. From the heavy window treatments to the stunning chandelier, it is a quiet (at least until we got there) space perfect for a relaxing evening. Prepare not to rush here, as our dinner clocked in around three hours.

Upon making the reservation, I asked ahead of time if we could get tableside Steak Diane as the main course. While it is not on the menu, they were happy to make it for six of the ten people at the table. Our server brought out an amuse bouche, chicken liver mousse, typically not my thing, but this version was laden with heavy cream and quite tasty.

Scallop in puff pastry.
Scallop in puff pastry.

Appetizers included the goat cheese soufflé (always delicious – I had it last time), mushroom risotto with morels and porcinis (outstanding), some sort of scallop-puff pastry dish that was a big hit, and lobster bisque. All were quite good, and we were enjoying Honig Sauvignon Blanc with the appetizers.

In preparation for Steak Diane.
In preparation for Steak Diane.

As we contemplated switching to red for the main course, there was only one option listed that was included in the premium drink package, so I asked the sommelier if we could have the same wine we had in Luminae the night before, an Italian Super Tuscan (included in the drink package). He readily agreed, and I gently suggested that with our crowd he may want to get a couple more bottles than he deems necessary. You know, to save him the trouble of having to get extra bottles as the evening progressed. I was just being helpful.

The steaks.
The steaks.

Everyone was pleased with their meals, but the Steak Diane was fantastic. My mother ruined me early in life, spoiling me with amazingly delicious home cooked meals. (Homemade eclairs? Check. Other fancy desserts on a regular basis? Yup. Fantastic dinners all the time? Indeed.) My parents also took me out regularly, and I did not eat things like chicken fingers or hot dogs. Nope. Instead, I ordered things like hearts of palm salad and chocolate mousse. And thus began my love for Steak Diane.

The finished plate. Perfection.
The finished plate. Perfection.

Time passed, and foods of the seventies fell out of style. In with kale salads, and out with the classics. I am singlehandedly going to make Steak Diane fashionable again. The cream, shallot, mushroom, Dijon, and Cognac sauce spooned over a perfectly cooked steak is delectable, and this version was no exception. The conversation came to a halt as everyone enjoyed their perfectly cooked steaks (or lobster, or fish, or whatever else they ordered).

The incredible cheese trolley.
The incredible cheese trolley.

One thing you should know about Murano ahead of time is that they have a cheese trolley filled with stinky cheeses, soft triple cream cheeses, hard cheeses… any cheese you might like. I know. I enjoyed them all. Then it was time for dessert.

 

Grand mariner souffles are the best kind.
Grand Marnier souffles are the best kind.

Unlike Steak Diane, soufflés have not been entirely banished from menus, although they can be hard to find. At Murano, you have a choice of Grand Marnier or chocolate soufflés. Each exquisite, perfectly risen ramekin served with an accompanying sauce. If you are not in the mood for a soufflé (is that even possible?) there are a few other dessert choices to keep everyone happy.

Our experience was, overall, excellent, and the wine room suited our group. If you are traveling with at least six people, I recommend trying to reserve the wine room in Murano. As a two or foursome, you will be very happy in the main part of Murano’s dining room.