Queen Elizabeth 2
Restaurant Rating:
Queens Grill |
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"It's a Crossing, Not a Cruise" By Arnold Boris
 In 1905, my grandfather, Sam Scherobkofski crossed the Atlantic to the New World. Leaving behind a life of poverty in Russia, he set out on a voyage that would dramatically alter the course of our family's history. It was final and there was no turning back. As did millions of European immigrants, he arrived at Ellis Island with nothing more than a sense of hope. The immigration official, unable to interpret the foreign sounding names, proceeded to stamp his papers with the Russian name Boris. After crossing the Atlantic, my grandfather entered this country with a new name and the hope of a new life.
I share this bit of family history with you to make the point that crossing the Atlantic has impacted millions of lives over several centuries. My grandfather crossed in steerage, as did most at the turn of the last century. Yet, the thought of a "crossing" conjures up historic images of wealth, elegance, and even tragedy at sea.
The ''Royal" Family
Crossing the Atlantic on other ships is just not the same as a crossing on the QE2. What sets the QE2 apart is a strong sense of tradition, heritage, and the mystique of a "bygone era". Not only is the ship steeped in maritime history, but lives of so many passengers and crew have a personal connection with the ship.
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| Arnold Boris and Captain Ronald Warwick |
The QE2's Captain Ronald Warwick (the spitting image of the white-bearded captain of that other liner, you know, the one that hit the iceberg) shared with us that his father was Captain of the QE2 before him. He proudly pointed out his desk, which his father had occupied as Master of the QE2 when it was first launched.
Ted Du Charm, a fellow passenger from New Orleans, struck up a conversation with an English couple while enjoying a cocktail in the Crystal Bar. The English fellow recalled having had an American playmate for a brief time in England back in 1955. All he remembered was the child's name.... Ted. With a smile of recollection, Ted shared that he had traveled to England in 1955 with his mother to the small English village where she had grown up. Indeed it was the same village and there, in the Crystal Bar, childhood "mates" became friends all over again. Oh, did I mention that Ted and his mother made that 1955 trip across the Atlantic (his first) on the original Queen Elizabeth.
Then there was Billy Love, a Scottish music hall performer who had grown up next to John Brown & Company (Clydebank) LTD, the shipyard where the QE2 was built. His father, uncle and grandfather were all part of the team that built her. He vividly remembers the day she was launched in 1967. It was a major event for the entire town and now finally in 2001, he was thrilled to be sailing on her for the first time.
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| Hotel Director John Duffy |
John Duffy has been Hotel Director for twenty years. He was offered the prestigious position only after his predecessor decided to retire. Prior to taking over the position, Mr. Duffy was required by Cunard to attend the Cornell University Hotel Management School. His experiences onboard and the passengers he has met over the years would fill several volumes. After speaking with him, it was clear that the QE2 was truly home to him.
Beatrice Muller, in her eighties, has chosen the QE2 as her retirement residence. Since January 2000, she has traveled with the ship around the world and on every crossing, paying approximately $5000 a month for a modest cabin on the fourth deck. Meals are included in the price. Extras include drinks, gambling and clothes. She looks forward to the times when her two sons travel with her, mostly on holidays. She and her husband had sailed on the QE2 many times before he passed away. She relishes catching up with repeat QE2 passengers and according to Mr. Duffy, "Bea is definitely a member of the QE2 family".
Cunard Chief Executive, Pamela Conover is intent on re-launching the Cunard image. Her objective is to capitalize on traditional British associations with the steamship company, while promoting the contemporary resort amenities and old world luxury the QE2 offers.
The ship is in marvelous condition with great amounts of money obviously devoted to constant renovations and restoration. Yet, you will never feel as if you are crossing the Atlantic on a floating Marriott Hotel. Warm wood paneling abounds throughout the QE2. The "contemporary" designs from the sixties seem far from outdated and stalwart British traditions like afternoon tea are still revered.
Dining on the Queen
 The QE2 offers five main restaurants , most notably the Queens Grill, Princess Grill and the Britannia Grill. Assignments to these restaurants come with the most expensive accommodations onboard.
Service in the Queens Grill, the most exclusive restaurant was exquisite; every meal a beautifully orchestrated ballet. Mr. Chambers, the Maitre D'Hotel, along with his two assistants, held court over one of the finest restaurants at sea.
From the first greeting, every guest is treated like royalty. The Wedgwood Bone China, silver table settings, stemware, and fine Irish linens create a truly unique ambiance. The setting is intimate, although some of the tables on the upper level are, frankly, too close to each other. The wait-staff are the best, with most of them having long-term service careers onboard the QE2.
 Along with singular menus, the Queens Grill is well known for its special orders and tableside preparation. We witnessed the artistry of Steak Diane and sautéed smoked salmon with caviar prepared by Les, our Assistant Maitre D'Hotel. On a typical six day crossing, the ships galleys go through 33 pounds of caviar and 330 pounds of smoked salmon, an indication of true luxury on a grand scale.
Typical Queens Grill menus include items such as Sliced Seared Pheasant Breast or Highland Rarebit to start, followed by Watercress soup with Oysters or Clear Oxtail Consommé with Sherry wine. Entrees include several British stand-bys like Beef Wellington and Pan Fried Dover Sole Meuniere, along with some more exotic choices like Baked Fillet of Orange Roughy with a light Kavir Lime and Coconut Curry Sauce.
Along with all the dining venues onboard the QE2, the Queens Grill is under the watchful eye of Executive Chef, Karl Winkler (see "Chefs Notes"). He enhances classic continental cuisine with entrée choices that have a true influence from his origins in Austria. Next to classic entrees like Roast Rack of Lamb, you will find a touch of Austria in the form of Escallop of Veal "Viennoise" or Veal Ragout in creamy Mushroom Sauce. Chef Winkler dazzled us with several of his favorite Austrian dishes for lunch one afternoon. There were mounds of Braised Beef, Pot Roast, creamed spinach, Schnitzel and Potato Salad with cucumbers. The entire "waltz through the Vienna woods" was topped of with a Kaiserschmarren, an Austrian shredded raisin pancake with a plum roaster (see "Recipes of the Month").
 On this particular crossing, Cunard invited several well-known chefs to do some cooking demonstrations. They included Julia Child, Andre Soltner of New York's Lutece and Francois Dionot of L Academie De Cuisine in Bethesda, Maryland. Known as the "Chef's Palate" Crossing, each celebrity chef did a presentation and demo that included recipes, cooking tips and some rather candid incite into the world of classic French cuisine. Their recipes and several of Executive Chef Karl Winkler's are posted in the Recipes of the Month section.
A crossing on the QE 2 is truly a memorable experience on so many levels and if you can "shoot the lock off", dining for six days in the Queens Grill is what culinary dreams are made of.
For more information about the QE2 and Chef's Palate Crossings, log on to the Cunard web site at www.cunardline.com.
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