Princess Cruises Introduces The Salty Dog Gastropub

Princess Cruises has announced it will be opening a new gastropub aboard three of its ships, named The Salty Dog Gastropub. The dining venue will feature in the Wheelhouse Bar and will pair gourmet small dishes inspired by pub favourites with craft beers, cocktails and wines. The Salty Dog Gastropub first debuted aboard Crown Princess this month.

The menu was developed in collaboration with chef Ernesto Uchimura, who was recently awarded “Chef of the Year: The Comfort Master,” from Los Angeles Magazine.

Guests can choose three small plates from The Salty Dog Gastropub menu featuring new twists on classic pub dishes. Plates include Pale Ale Pork Cheeks, Spicy Stout Short Ribs, Wild Mushroom Sauté, and Lobster Mac & Cheese.

The pièce de résistance is “The Ernesto” burger from Chef Uchimura – rib eye and short rib beef patty, grilled pork belly, caramelized kimchi, beer battered jalapeño, charred onion aioli, topped with cave aged gruyere cheese.

“The Salty Dog Gastropub is an enticing addition to our onboard culinary offerings and brings yet another unique dining option to our guests,” said Rai Caluori, executive vice president of guest experience for Princess Cruises. “Chef Uchimura’s signature burger is sure to be savoured, along with pub favourites reinvented for a more upscale dining experience.”

“A gastropub at sea is an innovative concept and it inspired me to get creative in the galley,” said Chef Uchimura. “The Salty Dog Gastropub’s menu will not only satisfy comfort food cravings but also offer guests new pub food flavours and tastes perfectly paired with a craft beer or fine whisky.”

Adjacent to The Salty Dog Gastropub, also in the Wheelhouse Bar, is an expansive new international whisky bar menu, featuring some of the best Scotch whiskys, American Bourbons and international whiskys from areas including Japan, Ireland and Australia. They include Johnny Walker Blue, Bakery Hill Classic (Australia), Connemara Whisky Irish Cask (Ireland) and Hakushu 12 year (Japan). The menu offers daily specialised whisky flights, allowing guests the opportunity to taste and compare selections around the world.

The Salty Dog Gastropub and new international whisky menu, both available in the Wheelhouse Bar, have just launched aboard Crown Princess, and will be onboard Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess in mid-December. A food charge of $19 per guest applies.

The whisky menu will also be available in the Wheelhouse Bar aboard Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, Sun Princess, Diamond Princess and Golden Princess by the end of 2015, and aboard all ships with the exception of Pacific Princess by the summer of 2016.