Holland America Line Introduces Rudi’s Sel de Mer French Brasserie Pop-Up Restaurant to Six Ships in the Fleet

Holland America Line is honoring its Master Chef and culinary consultant Rudi Sodamin, the creator of Sel de Mer aboard ms Koningsdam, by launching the French brasserie as a pop-up in the Pinnacle Grill and naming it Rudi’s Sel de Mer. Six ships in the fleet will feature the pop-up, including ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam.

Since it launched on Koningsdam as a stand-alone venue, Sel de Mer has garnered both guest and industry acclaim. Rudi’s Sel de Mer will build on this success with a version of the menu of classic French dishes including locally sourced seafood served in a setting that will transform the Pinnacle Grill alternative dining venue into an intimate brasserie with custom décor, plates, menus and uniforms reflecting the ambiance of the original Koningsdam restaurant. A specially crafted cocktail and wine menu also will be featured. Rudi’s Sel de Mer will be offered once on 7-day cruises and twice on cruises longer than 10 days.

For Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Chef Rudi also has created Food Faces art for the exclusive show plates made by Bernardaud, the leading French manufacturer of Limoges porcelain. Each artistic culinary plate portrays a work of art—from food.

“Sel de Mer onboard Koningsdam is extremely popular among our guests and one of the most talked about dining experiences in the industry,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “The restaurant showcases our commitment to providing our guests with unrivaled dining options, and launching it as Rudi’s Sel de Mer on six more ships as a pop-up will allow more of our guests to see what the buzz is all about and indulge in its phenomenal cuisine.”

Rudi’s Sel de Mer is set to debut in 2017 on ms Nieuw Amsterdam March 31, ms Oosterdam May 11, ms Eurodam May 24, ms Westerdam June 12, ms Noordam Oct. 2, and ms Zuiderdam Nov. 10.

Indulge in the Freshest Seafood at Rudi’s Sel de Mer
Rudi’s Sel de Mer will serve a classic selection of French seafood dishes with a contemporary twist. After an amuse-bouche of Seared Scallops on Seaweed Salad and Light Saffron Vinaigrette Foam, guests can select appetizers including Steak Tartare, Bouillabaisse Marseillaise, Rudi’s Seafood Tower (pictured at right) and the classic Fruits de Mer (serves two).

For an entrée, guests can dine on Broiled Maine Lobster, Whole Dover Sole Meunière, Rack of Lamb Persillade, Duck Cassoulet, Steak Frites, Soufflé au Fromage and the popular Salt Crust Baked Branzino. The chefs also will go ashore to the local fish market whenever possible and personally select the catch of the day as a featured dish for the menu.

Side dishes include French fries, cauliflower puree, green beans, wild rice, truffled mashed potatoes and ratatouille.

No meal at Rudi’s Sel de Mer would be complete without a delectable dessert. Choices include Crêpes Suzette, Apple Tarte Tatin, Profiteroles with Hot Chocolate Sauce (my favorite, pictured left), Artisanal French Cheese Plate and Rudi’s famed Souffle—a version of the Salzburg Nockerl.

Rudi’s Sel de Mer will be offered for a set price of $49 per person for dinner, and reservations are recommended.

Master Chef of the High Seas
An internationally respected food authority, Rudi Sodamin is the most highly decorated chef working on the world’s oceans today and is considered among the hospitality industry’s most-innovative chefs. As Holland America Line’s culinary consultant and chairman of its celebrated Culinary Council, he is the driving force behind the development of fine dining at Holland America Line. He has earned numerous awards for his creative approach and is credited with innovations that continue to improve standards industry wide. Sodamin has authored 13 cookbooks. A 14th will be published later in 2017. Rudi is a member of the prestigious Academy Culinaire de France, the Maîtres Cuisiners de France and an honoree member of the noble Club des Chefs des Chefs, whose members cook for presidents, kings and prime ministers.

For more information about Holland America Line, visit HollandAmerica.com.

Images Courtesy Holland America Line