Eating at a Restaurant that doesn't match you cabin grade

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thank you, holynougat, for news of another restaurant! Where was it located, giving you those great views?

Did you have your own regular seat in the Officers' Mess? And did you order off a menu?

[nyanks1]

I'm surprised no one mentioned "Hamburger Haven" Located One Deck aft, One Deck aft cabins smelled like burgers/onions. I beleive it served 11 A.M.- 4 P.M. This was in the early days when the Theatre Bar was the disco, and probably survived the Club Lido conversion.

[Peter Mugridge]

I don't remember coming across that when on board in September 2002 although we did gorge ourselves at the Lido nearly every day.  Maybe it was removed by then?

[Pete Hamill]

I think nyanks1 is referring to the Pavilion Café.

A classless (classic?) dining venue. I made good use of it anyway 

[Peter Mugridge]

Hmmm... I'm still surprised that I missed sniffing out a burger on board...

[Louis De Sousa]

The Hamburger Haven was removed during the 1994 and replaced by The Pavillion

[Pete Hamill]

Thanks Davina. I didn't know that. The name Hamburger Haven doesn't sound in line with other QE2 venue names - perhaps an attempt to sound attractive to younger passengers?

In any case, whatever it was called the burgers, skinny fries and onion rings were magnificent - and of course, it had a bar to serve cold beer with the burgers.

Anyone feeling hungry?

[Peter Mugridge]

The Hamburger Haven was removed during the 1994 and replaced by The Pavillion

Ah.  That explains why I never noticed it then.  At least I now know I didn't miss out when on board! 

[Tony]

The best dodge of all was passengers who asked for Kosher food. You got bumped up to the first class restaurant in the 70's/80's until it went away

[Chris Thompson]

On my first Contract on the QE2, Casino staff could eat in the Officers Mess, loved it up there, excellent food although we were not allowed to order certain dishes (Lobster etc), loved the fact that it was the only dining area with a view over the bow, especially interesting in rough weather. After the 1990 refit we were re-located to a staff dining room that was sectioned off from the Mauritania Restaurant. Particularly remember Christmas Day 1990, all of the staff were very late getting served dinner, when it did arrive it looked rather pathetic, a tiny piece of turkey and 2 potatoes..... The Casino Manager marched into the Main restaurant and lodged a quiet protest to the Maitre'd, a few minutes later a trolley of full dinners arrived!!

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

Thank you for the memories! I love reading about what happened behind the scenes .

As regards kosher food, was that only served in the first class restaurant? I wonder how many special types of food were served over the years... but that is for a different topic...

[Tony]

Yes, first class only. Regular wait staff and all the dishes and utensils were kept separate of course.