Virgin Voyages - restaurants & Bars on Scarlet Lady - Eats, Treats and Beats

I was lucky to be offered a press trip to be amongst the first to board Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady in Dover on Day 1 of her World Showcase voyage. Not enough time to sample each of the restaurants, but we did visit them all and here’s what we thought.

Part 1 - Eats

What restaurants and bars are onboard Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady? With over 20 places to indulge your tastebuds included in the price of your Virgin Voyage, and several exciting bars/lounges already revealed, the Scarlet Lady has everything you need to satisfy the most voracious of appetites. In this post I will introduce some of the restaurants on Scarlet Lady, including (where available) sample menus.

Whether your style is scoff and off, leisurely chilled dining, or lively eats with friends, there is something to suit the mood.  Don't expect buffets and main dining rooms however - it's more a "Soho by the sea" vibe with The Galley providing food-truck inspired options for quick snackage, 24 hour room service for when you get the munchies, and a belly-full of cool restaurants to tempt you.  Whatever you choose you just know it will have the Virgin injection of taste, style and innovation.

Restaurants/Light Bites onboard Virgin voyages scarlet lady

The Wake

We were lucky enough to dine here and the food was awesome. This is the nearest you will get to the vibe of a Main Dining Room with fine dining, although it’s far more intimate.

Designed for Virgin Voyages by Roman and Williams, The Wake is arguably Scarlet Lady’s most glamorous and sophisticated restaurant. Ideal for romantic nights, special occasions or just because you’re worth it, The Wake offers steaks and seafood in a fabulous mid-twentieth century chop-house atmosphere, together with a raw bar - a sort of posh surf and turf.  With table-side drink cart service (our mixologist created a fabulous martini), and champagne poured by the glass from a magnum bottle, every meal is a celebration (although alcoholic drinks are not included). I enjoyed a fine razor-clam chowder, followed by the tenderest filet mignon I’ve ever sampled. We also dined here at breakfast when they offer a brunch menu.

Example Menu - The Wake

Razzle Dazzle

Virgin Voyages stunning new restaurant, Razzle Dazzle is another first at sea for Scarlet Lady - a restaurant where catering for Vegetarian and Vegan Sailors is not an afterthought - in fact it’s very Nice! However, all dishes can be made “naughty” with meat add-ons or boozy shots.

Designed for Virgin Voyages by Concrete Amsterdam, Razzle Dazzle takes its name from the camouflaging pattern painted on warships from WWI and WWII which provided inspiration for Its stunning red and white and monochrome optical illusion effect decor.

Razzle Dazzle offers vibrant and creative twists on a largely plant-based contemporary American menu plus juice bar.  With the “nice” menu offering vegetarian and vegan versions of classic dishes such as the Impossible Burger, even meat-eaters might be tempted. However, for me there is something even more exciting than the delicious food - Razzle Dazzle is also the home of the ship’s regular drag brunch, where sailors are treated to a performance by the Scarlet Lady’s resident drag performer and friends. I, for one, CANNOT WAIT!

Example Menu -Razzle Dazzle

The Test Kitchen

This laboratory-like eatery designed by Concrete Amsterdam is part cooking school and part restaurant, making it the ultimate chance for discovery through food with an atmosphere that is educational, experiential and social all in one. Only a list of ingredients will be provided to sailors before they dine and their meal will be put in the hands of the chef to deliver incredible cuisine. Sounds fun - although don’t wait till you are famished!

Example Menu - Test Kitchen

Pink Agave

This upscale Mexican restaurant offers sailors an extra dimension to their dining experience. Designed by Tom Dixon, Pink Agave transports them to the vibrant streets of Mexico City through immersive void lighting. Offering a wide variety of contemporary Mexican specialties that inspire sailors to discover authentic Mexican flavours including tlayudas, memelas, sopes, tortas, esquires, tamales and an expansive array of smokey mezcals. You had me at ”tiayudas”!

Example Menu - Pink Agave

GUnbae

We know to expect the quirky and the entertaining from Virgin Voyages, and this restaurant is no exception. If you love BBQ and drinking games then you won’t want to miss this one.

A social, hands on, interactive, fun dining experience, Gunbae features specially engineered flameless grills built into each table so sailors can grill meats to their desire paired with their favorite banchan. Destined to be the loudest eatery on board, each meal will begin with a complimentary round of *soju for the table and throughout the evening sailors are encouraged to take part lively Korean drinking games. *A clear Korean alcoholic spirit - not a card game apparently. 🤷‍♀️

Example Menu - GUnbae

Extra Virgin

Every Virgin loves an Italian right? Extra Virgin is Scarlet Lady’s trattoria serving regionally-inspired food, deeply rooted in Italian culinary traditions. The space features communal tables and a private dining room, inspired to be a mobster’s lair where the atmosphere of the night is amped up as the hours grow thinner.

Example Menu - Extra Virgin

The Galley

This stylish food hall will feature a mix of more than eight shops and food carts, including a dedicated bakery and pastry shop, a panini shop, a burger grill, a taco shack, a sushi bar with bento boxes, a noodle bar, a soup and salad stand, and a 24-hour American diner. Fantastic for when you just want a quick bite or a more casual meal but without sacrificing the gourmet experience.

The Dock House

If, like me, you get peckish whilst sunbathing, but hate to leave the rays, then The Dock House is just the place to refuel.  Designed by Roman and Williams, The Dock House is a rustic beach club-inspired space. Carts of Mediterranean-inspired small plates, dips and mezzes will cater to alfresco grazers while an array of fresh meat and seafood skewers will be flame grilled to order.

Example Menu - The Dock House

The Pizza Place

To get your pizza fix, head down to deck 7, The Pizza Place is where sailors can follow their pie along and build it to their liking from dough, to sauce, cheese and of course all of their favorite toppings. Perfect - anchovies and pineapple anyone?

​Grounds Club

Grab your caffeine fix with a custom Virgin Voyages blend and a clear conscience at one of the ship’s two dedicated coffee bars located in the heart of the ship on deck 7. Expert baristas craft your beverages at Ministry of Ground and with the Virgin partnership with Intelligentsia Coffee, you can be assured of their green credentials  (Read more on this partnership in my earlier post here).

Designed by Softroom of London, Ministry of Ground features large porthole-style windows designed with their very own window seat. Sailors can gaze out at the ocean whilst enjoying their coffee.  Decorated in earth-tone finishes and furnished with aquamarine and purple hues for seating, tables and loungers the space is contemporary and relaxing.  In addition to great hand-crafted specialty coffees, Sailors visiting Ministry of Ground can indulge in complimentary light cakes and bites. Ministry of Ground Too is located in The Galley food market, so Sailors can sip their favorite specialty coffee while grabbing a quick bite. 

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