When Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship Norwegian Escape debuts in November, it will feature two restaurants from Iron Chef Jose Garces, along with a craft beer hall from Miami-based craft brewery Wynwood Brewing Company. The announcement came at a press event in the Manhattan Room onboard Norwegian Breakaway today while docked in New York City. The event was attended by members of the press, travel agents and the line’s dining and beverage partners including “Cake Boss” Buddy Valastro and Garces.
The largest ship in the Norwegian fleet will also feature two new Broadway shows — After Midnight and Million Dollar Quartet — along with a new supper club concept described as a “one-of-a-kind, 360-degree, post-modern cabaret and dinner experience” that’s focused on movie songs from the 80s.
Restaurants
Bayamo by Jose Garces
Known for his land-based restaurants, James Beard award-winning Iron Chef Jose Garces will bring his Latin-inspired dishes to Deck 8 on Escape, with signature plates such as berenjenas (roasted eggplant with tomato rice and saffron) and bacalao carbonizado (black cod with squid ink glaze, saffron, tomato and chorizo rice). Sugarcane Mojito Bar, which debuted on Getaway, will return and serve as an entry point for the restaurant, offering passengers pre-dinner mojitos with live Latin music. Bayamo will also include alfresco seating on The Waterfront. Garces’ new venues on Escape will be placed in the same space as fellow Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s Ocean Blue concept, featured onboard Breakaway and Getaway. The cover charge has not yet been determined.
Pincho Tapas Bar by Jose Garces
Traditional Spanish tapas will be available a la carte at Garces’ casual tapas bar located near Bayamo. Dishes such as Spanish omelets and specialty imported ham will be prepared on an authentic la plancha grill tableside as diners watch.
Food Republic
A new concept for the line, Food Republic, located on Deck 8 (formerly cabin space, now an extended Waterfront) will offer cruisers the chance to splurge on international gourmet dishes. Norwegian partnered with The Pubbelly Restaurant Group to develop the dining model, guided by Pubbelly’s founding partner and award-winning chef Jose Mendin. Described by the line as an “upscale food emporium,” small plates from a variety of global culinary traditions will be prepared to order during lunch and dinner, priced a la carte. Patrons order and pay via an iPad. Menu highlights include black truffle-braised shortrib dumplings, and dates and chorizo featuring smoked bacon, spicy tomato and a goat cheese crema.
Beer and Wine
The District Brew House
Norwegian is embracing the craft brew trend with a new beer hall from Miami’s Wynwood Brewing Company, located on Deck 8. Complete with a keg room, 24 draft beers on tap and more than 50 bottled beers, District Brew House will serve Wynwood’s award-winning signature beer, La Rubia Blonde Ale, along with an all-new recipe developed exclusively for Escape (however, nothing will be brewed on site). Details of the exclusive beer are yet to come. The gastropub-style menu will feature plates and snacks intended to complement the brews. In addition to the beer, Bar Lab mixologists have developed handcrafted cocktails for those who — gasp — aren’t into beer. Norwegian promises interactive nightlife at the venue, including sing-alongs. Have fun with the onsite photo booth and add your photos to the District’s pin board.
The Cellars, a Michael Mondavi Family Wine Bar
Marking the line’s first wine bar, The Cellars will focus on tasting and education with a curated wine list including 35 varietals on hand, priced a la carte. Tapas and small plates are available a la carte to accompany the slow-sipping experience. The tasting room boasts 180-degree views, but for a true alfresco experience, visit the wine bar on The Waterfront with service provided by a certified sommelier. Pricing for classes has yet to be announced.
The line also announced the return of Carlo’s Bakery onboard Escape. Valastro hinted at tweaks and changes to come for the onboard pastry shop.
Nighttime Entertainment
New Supper Club Concept
Featuring music from his popular motion picture soundtracks, “For The Record presents Dear John Hughes” is an homage to the late, great director of 80’s film classics such as “The Breakfast Club” and “Pretty in Pink.” It takes the greatest songs from his films, with the most iconic scenes, and mashes them up into one unique presentation. This space will be located roughly within the same area that Illusionarium is onboard Breakaway Class ships, and will charge a cover, yet to be determined.
Broadway Shows
After Midnight is a jazz revue, and celebration of The Cotton Club that takes place in Harlem, featuring the music of Duke Ellington, Dorothy Fields, Jimmy McHugh and Harold Arlen, and the poetry of Langston Hughes. The Broadway production received seven 2014 Tony nominations including Best Musical.
Million Dollar Quartet is a “jukebox” musical inspired by an impromptu jam session recorded in 1956 by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. The Broadway production was nominated for the Tony award for Best Musical in 2010.
