In honor of Chef Rudi Sodamin, the creator of Sel de Mer aboard the Koningsdam, Holland America Line is launching the French brasserie as a pop-up in the Pinnacle Grill and naming it Rudi’s Sel de Mer. Six ships in the fleet will feature the pop-up, including Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam.
Sel de Mer, which first opened as a stand-alone venue, will offer up classic French dishes including locally sourced seafood served in a setting with custom décor, plates, menus and uniforms reflecting the style of the original Koningsdam restaurant. A specially crafted cocktail and wine menu also will be available. Rudi’s Sel de Mer will be offered once on seven-day cruises and twice on cruises longer than 10 days.
Rudi’s Sel de Mer will serve a classic selection of French seafood dishes with a contemporary twist. Appetizers will include Steak Tartare, Bouillabaisse Marseillaise, Rudi’s Seafood Tower and the classic Fruits de Mer (serves two). For an entrée, guests can dine on Broiled Maine Lobster, Whole Dover Sole Meunière, Rack of Lamb Persillade, Duck Cassoulet, Steak Frites, Soufflé au Fromage and Salt Crust Baked Branzino. The chefs also will go ashore to the local fish market whenever possible and personally select the catch of the day as a special dish for the menu.
Side dishes include French fries, cauliflower puree, green beans, wild rice, truffled mashed potatoes and ratatouille. For dessert, choices such as Crêpes Suzette, Apple Tarte Tatin, Profiteroles with Hot Chocolate Sauce, Artisanal French Cheese Plate and Rudi’s Souffle – a version of the Salzburg Nockerl -- will all be on offer.
Rudi’s Sel de Mer will be offered for a set price of $49 per person for dinner, and reservations are recommended.
In addition, Chef Rudi also has created Food Faces art for the show plates made by Bernardaud, the leading French manufacturer of Limoges porcelain. Each artistic culinary plate portrays a work of art created from food.
Rudi Sodamin is Holland America Line’s culinary consultant and chairman of its Culinary Council. He has earned numerous awards and has authored 13 cookbooks. A 14th will be published later in 2017. Rudi is a member of the Academy Culinaire de France, the Maîtres Cuisiners de France and an honoree member of the Club des Chefs des Chefs.
Rudi’s Sel de Mer is set to debut in 2017 on Nieuw Amsterdam March 31, Oosterdam on May 11, Eurodam on May 2, Westerdam on June 12, Noordam on October 2 and Zuiderdam on November 10.
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