Norwegian Cruise Line has unveiled the details of the menu and dining experience that guests can enjoy in Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian on the Norwegian Breakaway.
Popular chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian’s three new seafood-centric restaurants on Norwegian Breakaway include: Ocean Blue, an elegant seafood dining experience that focuses on premium ingredients and expert culinary techniques; The Raw Bar, an adjacent bar that highlights crustaceans, crudos, cocktails and wines by the glass; and Ocean Blue on The Waterfront, a more casual dining option serving fun and easy fare. All three of these unique venues utilize the ingredients and skill that Zakarian employs in his land-based restaurants, truly bringing the best of New York City dining experiences on board Norwegian Breakaway. Showcasing his eye for details, Zakarian also orchestrated every element of the restaurant from menus, to uniforms, glassware and utensils.
All of the dishes featured on the Ocean Blue and The Raw Bar menus have been created out of Zakarian’s dedication to sourcing the freshest seafood and premium ingredients and are purchased from the same purveyors that Zakarain uses for his New York City-based restaurants. A variety of specialty items such as teas from Le Palais de Thés, imported from Paris, can also be found at Zakarian’s restaurants on board.
In addition to the menu items, Zakarian’s attention to detail shines in every aspect of the restaurant from the china to the linens and uniforms. The table settings are composed of Bernardaud China, Frette Linen, handblown glass votives from Glassbaby and handmade custom resin pieces from the artist Martha Sturdy. The uniforms featured in Ocean Blue were hand-picked by Zakarian and include classic French fisherman shirts by St. James.
With a belief that a dining experience is created by the entire ambiance, Zakarian partnered with famed DJs Andrew & Andrew, recently featured on HBO’s hit show Girls, to curate the music system for the restaurant. They sourced music spanning several decades, searched for unique versions and put together a fun mix of music that will set the stage for a great meal at Ocean Blue or The Raw Bar.
As an added touch, Zakarian loaded iPads with kids’ food, cooking and art-related apps that are for families looking to keep their children entertained at the dinner table. The Company took delivery of its most innovative ship to date, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway on April 25, 2013. Known as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway is the largest vessel to homeport year-round in the city, sailing to Bermuda for the summer beginning May 12, 2013.
Norwegian Cruise Line, 800-327-7030, www.ncl.com