by Dennis Augustine
After a full and invigorating afternoon exploring Juneau, Cecile and I treated ourselves to a special dinner at Jacques, one of Oceania Riviera’s signature specialty restaurants.
Jacques is the namesake restaurant of renowned Chef Jacques Pépin, and it feels every bit like an intimate French bistro transported to sea. The ambiance was warm and classic, with vintage Parisian décor, and white-gloved service that added just the right touch of ceremony to the evening.
We were delighted to be joined by Cat from Birmingham, England, a fellow traveler whose stories added a delightful British flair to our French evening.
As a meal—sublime! I began with a silky pumpkin soup, followed by a beautifully arranged cheese platter, and a crisp, refreshing goat cheese salad. The warm, delicate cheese soufflé which shared with me was a highlight in both texture and flavor, and our filet mignon—cooked to perfection—rounded out the savory selections.
For dessert, we couldn’t resist sharing both the apple tart with vanilla ice cream and the flambéed crêpe Suzette—each bite a decadent finish to an unforgettable night.