All the Dishes We Went Back For on Celebrity Xcel

We’re not usually lobster fans, which made this one of the biggest surprises at Bora brunch. The lobster medallions were tender and sweet, but the lemon beurre blanc made the dish. Rich, buttery and lifted by just enough citrus, it was the kind of sauce that had us going back for every last drop. We would order it again for the sauce alone.

We had already chosen one dish from Bora’s brunch for our Star Plates list, so when our waiter insisted we stay for “a little dessert” and try the French toast, we expected it to be good. We did not expect another winner. The thick, golden toast arrived with butter, maple syrup, Chantilly cream and caramelised pecans. It was crisp at the edges, soft in the middle, and unapologetically rich, with the pecans adding just enough crunch. One of the best French toasts we’ve ever eaten, and proof that sometimes you should simply trust your waiter.

Once again, our waiter knew better than we did. We had not planned to order the pork cheeks, but his recommendation proved impossible to resist. The Barolo-braised meat was so tender it fell apart under the fork and melted in the mouth. Beneath it, the Parmesan risotto was creamy and packed with flavour, while the summer vegetables cut through the richness. A dish we might easily have missed became one of the best things we ate at Mosaic.

After a full dinner at Cosmopolitan, this was exactly the kind of dessert we wanted. The strawberry angel food cake was soft and airy, filled with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, then finished with a bright mango coulis. It was fruity and light without feeling like the sensible option. Simple on paper, but far more memorable on the plate.

This is how we want a crab cake to be: packed with fresh jumbo lump crab and barely enough filler to hold it together. You could taste the crab, not breadcrumbs. The crisp golden top added texture, while the creamy chipotle aioli brought a welcome kick. Piquillo pepper, cucumber and dill kept the whole thing fresh rather than heavy.

Dinner on the Edge takes over the Magic Carpet for one night of the cruise, so the setting already makes the evening feel special. Somehow, the food matched it. The pan-seared filet mignon was the best steak we ate on board, beautifully cooked and full of flavour, while the grilled lobster tail complemented it perfectly. Bordelaise and béarnaise sauces brought everything together, with mashed potato, asparagus and caviar making the plate as indulgent as the occasion.