Explora Journeys has revealed details about five of its six onboard restaurants on Explora I, the first of six planned ships that will set sail on July 17, 2023 from Southampton in the U.K. Among the ship’s 18 F&B venues, these five restaurants offer all-inclusive menus with signature dishes influenced by a range of international cuisines.
Sakura is inspired by the ancient tea rooms of Kyoto. Its chefs follow traditional Japanese techniques, using meticulously sourced ingredients to create an authentic pan-Asian experience. The menu includes Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and Malaysian cuisines, with a sommelier on hand to offer guidance on sake, shōchūs and other Asian-influenced drinks.
Marble & Co. Grill will be Explora's take on a European steakhouse. The aim is to provide sustainable meats, sourced for their intense flavor and provenance. There’s an in-house Dry Ager, as well as a cellar stocked with fine wines.
The Med Yacht Club, styled after sophisticated Mediterranean beachside restaurants, offers regional ocean-inspired dishes. The tastes and textures of Italy, Spain, Greece, France and North Africa are showcased in sharing plates that include plant-based ingredients, accompanied by cocktails and wines from the region.
At Emporium Marketplace, cooking stations serve destination-inspired dishes, with sushi, seafood and meats presented alongside pasta cooked to order and freshly baked pizza. Guests can enjoy charcuterie and fromagerie, and bread and pastries delivered straight from oven to table. Fresh juices, smoothies and acai bowls are served at breakfast.
Lastly, Fil Rouge offers French-inspired international cuisine in an intimate ambiance.
Franck Garanger, Explora Journeys’ head of culinary, is responsible for sourcing and hand-selecting ingredients from across the globe. His team consists of Alban Gjoka, senior lead culinary operations; Jérôme Toumelin, corporate executive chef; Christophe Sapy, corporate executive pastry chef; and Frederic Godineau, senior executive chef.
Explora Journeys’ sommeliers have sourced boutique labels offering unusual, sometimes very rare, wines of unexpected provenance. A curated mixology program includes the signature Ocean State of Mind cocktail, besides beverages designed to accompany specific regional menus. Alongside this offering is a special focus on interesting, alcohol-free beverages.
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