I’ve enjoyed some wonderful meals during my travels over the years. From restaurants in Europe to specialty dining aboard cruise ships, I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing some truly memorable food.
But every once in a while, a meal comes along that reminds me just how wonderful dining can be when everything comes together.
Tonight, aboard the Disney Dream, was one of those evenings.
My friend Joanne and I had reservations at Palo, Disney Cruise Line’s adults-only Italian specialty restaurant. I’ve enjoyed Palo on previous Disney cruises, so I already knew we were in for something special.
What I didn’t expect was to enjoy one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten in a restaurant.
And that was only part of an absolutely incredible dinner!
Trading Pirate Night for a Little Italian Indulgence
Tonight is Pirate Night aboard the Disney Dream.
Now, I enjoy Disney’s Pirate Night festivities, but I’ll admit that the special menu in the main dining rooms has never been one of my favorites.
So Joanne and I decided to do something a little different.
Instead of dining with the pirates, we dressed for a lovely evening at Palo.
And what a wonderful decision that turned out to be!
One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Palo is how different the experience feels from the ship’s main dining rooms.
Disney’s rotational dining is fun, creative, and often filled with entertainment. Palo, on the other hand, is about slowing down and enjoying a more intimate dining experience.
The atmosphere is elegant without feeling stuffy. It’s the kind of restaurant where you can settle in, enjoy a wonderful meal, and make an entire evening out of dinner.
That’s exactly what we did tonight.
Wonderful Service Makes a Difference
One of the highlights of our evening was our server, Nina, who is from Serbia.
She was an absolute delight!
Nina made some wonderful recommendations throughout our meal, and it was clear that she knew the menu and genuinely wanted us to enjoy our experience.
But what made our interaction especially enjoyable was discovering that we had something to talk about beyond the food.
I visited Serbia this past summer during my travels along the Lower Danube, so we enjoyed chatting about her home country.
I love moments like that when I travel.
I’ve met wonderful people from all over the world while cruising, and sometimes a simple conversation with a crew member becomes one of the memories I carry home.
Nina’s warmth, personality, and excellent recommendations added so much to an already special evening.
Great food is important, but wonderful service can elevate a meal into something truly memorable.
And Nina certainly did that for us tonight.
A Delicious Beginning
Our meal began with Palo’s bread service, accompanied by olive oil and savory additions for dipping.
I know bread might not sound particularly exciting, but when it’s done well, it’s a wonderful way to begin an Italian meal.
We also enjoyed seafood appetizers, including crispy fried calamari and shrimp.
The presentation was beautiful, and everything looked so inviting.
And while I was thoroughly enjoying the beginning of our dinner, I had no idea that my favorite dish of the evening was still to come.
The Butternut Squash Agnolotti. Oh. My. Goodness.
I don’t say this lightly.
The Butternut Squash Agnolotti at Palo may be one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in a restaurant.
And considering how many wonderful restaurants I’ve visited over the years, that’s saying something!
Agnolotti is a type of stuffed Italian pasta, somewhat similar to ravioli.
Palo’s version combines butternut squash, buffalo mozzarella, amaretti, basil, and a sage-brown butter sauce.
Now, I’m sure that description sounds delicious enough.
But it doesn’t begin to explain how incredible this dish actually tasted.
The pasta was delicate, the butternut squash brought a wonderful sweetness, and that sage-brown butter sauce tied everything together beautifully.
There was richness, sweetness, and a wonderful combination of textures and flavors.
Every bite was absolutely extraordinary.
I genuinely found myself wondering how something so seemingly simple could taste so good.
I’ve enjoyed some memorable meals around the world, but this is a dish I suspect I’ll be thinking about for years.
Sometimes you enjoy a dish.
Sometimes you love a dish.
And sometimes you taste something that makes you stop and appreciate just how talented a chef can be.
This was definitely the third kind.
Chilean Sea Bass That Was Equally Impressive
For my main course, I ordered the Chilean sea bass.
Nina mentioned that this was a relatively new addition to Palo’s menu, and after tasting it, I certainly hope it stays!
The fish was beautifully prepared, with a lovely golden exterior and wonderfully tender flesh.
It was absolutely delicious.
Chilean sea bass is a favorite of mine when it’s prepared well, and this was an outstanding example.
The fish was accompanied by broccolini, which brings me to a little confession.
I don’t like broccolini.
Never have.
Oddly enough, I love broccoli. But broccolini has always tasted a little bitter to me.
I decided to give it another chance, thinking perhaps Palo might be the restaurant that finally changed my mind.
Nope.
Still don’t like broccolini!
But that’s the beauty of dining. We all have our own tastes, and there’s nothing wrong with knowing what you enjoy.
The sea bass was so wonderful that my continuing disagreement with broccolini certainly didn’t diminish the experience.
Filet Mignon, Cavatappi, and Asparagus
Joanne chose the filet mignon for her entrée, and we decided to share a couple of side dishes.
We ordered cavatappi pasta, baked with a beautifully golden topping, along with asparagus finished with grated cheese.
The cavatappi arrived in its own little baking dish, with that irresistible golden crust that makes baked pasta so appealing.
The asparagus was beautifully presented, too.
One of the pleasures of dining with a friend is being able to order a variety of dishes and share a little of everything.
And at Palo, that’s a very enjoyable way to experience the menu.
By the time we’d finished our main courses, we’d already enjoyed a truly exceptional dinner.
But there was still dessert to consider.
And really, when you’re enjoying an evening like this, why stop now?
A Sweet Finish
For dessert, Joanne ordered Palo’s famous chocolate soufflé.
I decided on the limoncello soufflé.
Soufflés are one of those desserts that always feel like a special occasion. They’re delicate, beautifully prepared, and a lovely way to finish an elegant meal.
After such an indulgent dinner, it seemed only appropriate that we would finish with something equally special.
But Palo had one more little surprise waiting for us.
One Last Italian Treat: Sgroppino
After dessert, we were served a complimentary drink called Sgroppino.
I’d never want to describe it simply as a cocktail, because it’s really more like a refreshing little dessert in a glass.
Sgroppino is a traditional Italian drink made with lemon sorbet and Prosecco. The version we enjoyed tonight at Palo also included apple brandy rather than the vodka used in many traditional recipes.
I actually asked Nina about the ingredients because I enjoyed it so much.
It was light, frothy, refreshing, and absolutely delicious.
After all the rich flavors we’d enjoyed throughout dinner, the bright lemon flavor was a wonderful finishing touch.
And the presentation in a colorful little glass made it feel even more special.
It was one of those thoughtful details that can turn a wonderful dinner into an experience you remember.
Sometimes It’s Wonderful to Be Indulgent
I think we sometimes forget that a vacation is an opportunity to do things a little differently.
To slow down.
To enjoy something special.
To order the dish that sounds wonderful, even if it’s something we wouldn’t ordinarily choose at home.
To spend an evening enjoying good food and good company without watching the clock.
That’s one of the things I love about cruising.
You can spend your day exploring a destination, relaxing by the pool, enjoying the spa, or simply watching the ocean go by.
And then, in the evening, you can dress up and enjoy a dining experience that rivals some wonderful restaurants on land.
I’ve enjoyed specialty restaurants aboard many cruise lines, and I think they’re often among the most memorable experiences of a vacation.
Tonight at Palo certainly reminded me of that.
Is Palo Worth the Additional Cost?
For me, absolutely.
Palo is an adults-only specialty restaurant available on Disney Cruise Line ships, and there is an additional charge to dine there.
It’s not intended to replace Disney’s main dining rooms. Those are already included in your cruise fare and offer their own wonderful experiences.
Instead, Palo gives adults the opportunity to enjoy a more intimate, upscale evening.
It’s a particularly nice choice for couples celebrating an anniversary, honeymooners, friends traveling together, or anyone who simply appreciates a wonderful dining experience.
And while Disney Cruise Line is often associated with family vacations, experiences like Palo are one of the reasons I enjoy reminding people that Disney cruises can be wonderful for adults, too.
You don’t need to be traveling with children to appreciate the beautiful ships, excellent service, and special experiences available onboard.
If you’re planning to dine at Palo, I recommend making reservations as soon as your booking window allows. It’s a popular experience, and availability can be limited.
A Dinner I Won’t Soon Forget
As I sit here tonight thinking back on our dinner, there are so many things I enjoyed.
The beautiful presentation of the food.
The pleasure of sharing a special dinner with Joanne.
That incredible Chilean sea bass.
The refreshing little glass of Sgroppino at the end of our meal.
And, of course, our delightful server Nina, whose wonderful recommendations and friendly conversation made the evening even more special.
But if there’s one dish I’ll remember most, it’s that butternut squash agnolotti.
I can still practically taste that wonderful sage-brown butter sauce!
I’ve sailed on the Disney Dream before, and I’ve dined at Palo on previous cruises.
But tonight’s dinner was something special.
It was indulgent, delicious, relaxing, and exactly the kind of experience that makes me love cruising.
And if you ever find yourself dining at Palo and see the Butternut Squash Agnolotti on the menu, please do yourself a favor.
Order it.
You can thank me later!
One of my favorite parts of being a travel advisor is helping people discover the experiences that make a vacation memorable. Whether it’s choosing the right cruise ship, finding a wonderful specialty restaurant, or planning a special celebration at sea, I’m always happy to share what I’ve learned through my own travels.
If you’re thinking about a Disney cruise, or another cruise where great dining is part of the experience, I’d love to help you plan something wonderful.
