We’re back to tell you why we loved Candles on Winstar Cruises. One of two amazing specialty dining options onboard Windstar’s ships, that we were lucky to sample during a recent cruise, Candles offers cruisers an excellent evening meal that we can’t wait to share with you.
The Ambience
On Star Class ships, every evening the Veranda, Windstar’s Buffet, is converted into an al fresco, outdoor dining experience, called Candles. Guests are invited to enjoy a candlelit dinner under the stars on crisp, white table cloths, while seated in rattan chairs. The ocean and the sky serve as your backdrop as you dine on gourmet steakhouse fare and sail to your next picturesque destination. The views are even more special on Windstar’s Sailing ships as you dine on the top deck under the sails. Be sure to take a moment during your meal to stargaze, as the light pollution at sea is minimal, diners are treated to 270-degree views of unbroken scenery.
The Appetizers
Windstars dining teams pride themselves on providing meals cooked to order with local and sustainable ingredients. Candles is a perfect example. Windstar’s signature steakhouse offers one of the most extensive menus on the ship. The Appetizers include roasted shitake mushrooms in a spicy tomato jam, butter-poached shrimp with cauliflower mousse and citrus gel, and our favorite, the King Caesar Salad. This romaine wedge drizzled in savory homemade caesar dressing and served with herb croutons is a classic done very well.
The Entrees
This is a restaurant you will want to experience multiple times so be sure to make multiple reservations at guest services when you arrive on the ship. We also encourage you to over-order because you will want to try more than one of these excellent entrees. Enquire about the Grilled Fish of the day to experience the locally inspired ingredients of this everchanging menu item.
Another excellent menu item was the double-barrelled seafood spears. These skewers of scallops, shrimp, and salmon, are drizzled in lime butter. Don’t be afraid to combine this with additional “turf” options like the 8oz filet mignon or Paul Berglund’s Roasted Rack of Lamb served with red-wine jus and new potatoes.
The Premium Cuts
Two items on the menu come with a nominal fee to control demand. The extra $50 is going to be well worth your time if you are a carnivore. Upon ordering either of these steaks the butcher will present the cut of steak for your approval before cooking it to your exact specifications. Our favorite is the 40-ounce tomahawk ribeye cooked perfectly to our very civilized medium rare taste request.
The second but not to be ignored premium cut is the 30-ounce Porterhouse Steak. Having less bone than the rib-eye this cut actually has more meat and comes in at nearly half the surcharge. It cannot be overlooked and we recommend you follow your preferences when selecting between the two.
The Side Dishes
Candles serves an excellent list of a la carte sides. Broccolini with lemon zest, sauteed asparagus, Spinach a la creme, and a salt-baked potato all caught our eye onboard. Order and enjoy these side dishes family style and don’t be afraid to experiment with multiple dishes.
The Desserts
The dessert menu features an excellent Creme Brulee with a generous layer of sugar crust over decadent custard. Another item we loved was the Dark Chocolate Ganache Bar with Italian Merangue and sea salted caramel ice cream. If you have room after your main course, either of these treats should finish the job of satisfying your tastebuds.
The Nice Touches
Two excellent additions to the selections are the Gourmet Salt Menu and the Sauce Menu. When choosing your steak Windstar Cruises allows you to choose to season it with Hawaiian Black Salt, Himalayan Pink Salt, or Smoked Applewood Salt. Then they let you choose from creamy Bearnese sauce, Argentinian chimichurri, a savory cabernet reduction, or chermoula. All of which are excellent. We recommend you mix and match to find your favorite combinations. It is also okay to ask for a sampler of each if you wish to try them all.
Windstar has something special in Candles. The entire experience complements the cuisine. The only way to better enjoy a 30-ounce Porterhouse is to have the waters of scenic destinations like Tahiti or the stars of the milky way as your dinner’s entertainment. The extensive menu is sure to include something for everyone.
If you are a “foody” that loves small ships, contact Luxury Cruise Connections for more excellent recommendations based on our extensive 30 years in the cruise industry. If there’s a must-have dining experience that you are looking for. We are the agency to help you find it.
