Forget your teppanyaki, put down your steak knives, push your pizza to the side; There’s a new dining concept setting sail and you don’t want to miss it! P&O Cruises are daring you to be different in Arvia’s exclusive new dining concept Green & Co Feat Mizuhana. Come with us as we take you on a journey over land and sea…
Isn’t it about time a British cruise line did something different? Thanks to P&O Cruises, they have. You’ll notice the difference when you step onboard Iona or Arvia, one of the companies ‘Excellence-class’s ships. Your favourites from other ships like ‘The Glass House’ or ‘The Crow’s Nest’, are still there, but, you’ll also find new concepts like ‘Conservatory Mini-Suites’, ‘6th Street Diner’ and ‘The Olive Grove’. These venues have been added as P&O have recognised Holidays are not ‘One size fits all’. Now, you have a whole ship full of choices, Green & Co is their latest concept to fit with that mentality.
First impressions count. This restaurant is a vibrant rainbow of colours. Its open, bright and daylight floods the space. At night its warm, trunk like bronze-coloured columns tower out of a forest floor, dotted with blossoming seat fabrics. Welcome to Green & Co, pull up a chair.
Not vegan? Don’t worry neither are we; but in a world where the UK’s Vegan eating population has grown to 2.55%, with another 6.45% being vegetarian, it’s great to see more options for everyone. For those that aren’t Vegan, you’re still in for a treat.
Let’s get the formalities out of the way; this restaurant is classed as ‘specialty dining’. This means it’s not included and an upcharge from your cruise fare. Maybe you’re celebrating, maybe its date night, or maybe you simply want a change from the included options. Starters are priced from £3 per person, sharers at from £6, the main event from £5.50 and sweet treats from £3. Reasonable yes, but remember you’ve already paid for ‘full board’.
Turn left as you enter, and you’ll be sat at Mizuhana. P&O’s first and only sushi bar. You can choose handpicked platters including ‘Truffle brushed Highland salmon, various Nigiri or even ‘Flying fish wasabi caviar’. You can also choose from the full Mizuhana range and watch it prepared freshly in front of you. Vegan’s and Vegi’s, don’t you worry… a flora selection of sushi is available from Avocado and Aromatic Perilla Leaf Pesto Pressed Sushi to Pickled Lotus Root and Salted Cucumber.
What caught our eye? Obviously, we had to try multiple dishes so we could tell you… on the table we had Dig and Dip Garden Crudités; Harissa Roast Squash Dip, Super-Seed Dukkha and Pumpernickel Soil, Baby Garden Vegetables, Basil Hummus, Garlic and Nigella Seed Pickle… this comes complete with mini spades – dig for victory! Alongside this we went Mexican with Chilli Tostadas; A Rainbow Tortilla Stack, Vegan Chilli Crumble, Cashew ‘Cheese’, Whipped Avocado, Corn Salsa, Pico de Gallo… maybe it was just the Mayan magic, but we honestly thought we were eating meat!
We also sampled the Moriawase Platter from Mizuhana, Caesar Arancini (Cashew ‘Cheese’ Golden Fried Risotto, Baby Gem, Nigella and Poppy Seed Tuile, Caesar Dressing, Herb Oil) and the Cauliflower Popcorn Tempura (Coriander Yoghurt, Aubergine Pickle, Shaved Cauliflower, Cucumber Kachumber Salsa)
Vegan tartare, complete with a runny ‘yolk’ and red pepper patty. We’re not joking, this was pure deception. Meat to the eye, pepper on the pallet. This one was of the most enjoyable dishes as our taste buds and eyes were having an argument in our brains!
On to the main event… Tom opted for the Ras el Hanout Charred Aubergine. A crispy Fried Baby Aubergine, Tempura Fennel Ribbons, Smoked Tagine Purée, Preserved Lemon Gel, Savoury Apricot Jam. Let me tell you; you’ll never look at an egg plant emoji in the same way again! It was delicious, pure, simple but creative and cooked well. despite overeating our first course I wanted more!
Scott chose the showstopper! Don’t forget to order this if you suffer from food envy! Chakalaka Wellington; Their take on a South African Chakalaka. Silky Spiced Haricot and ‘Mock Lamb’ wrapped in Golden Pastry, Purple Cabbage Gel, Roasted Giant Corn, Warm Green Bean Salad. Tom’s all-time fav is Beef Wellington, he might have found a contender… at least from what Scott allowed him to taste!
Now for something sweet… Meringue without egg? Say hello to chickpeas, Willy Wonka’s Vegan Chocolate factory? They ‘dompady-do!’ These were the highlights; both dishes were so creative and well-presented pieces of art. The crunchy Spiced Pear Pavlova came with a Blackcurrant Gel, Cashew Nut ‘Cream’ and Pear Sorbet, light refreshing, great for those of you with a sweet tooth! We weren’t joking when we talked of Wonka; The Chocolate Earth Plate was 74% Organic Dark Chocolate and Beetroot Pebbles, Forest Sponge Moss, Beetroot Gel, Cherry Chocolate Toadstools, Tarragon Jelly Fizz, Chocolate Soil, Tarragon Bark, Vanilla Gelato… A world of pure imagination!
They keep your vessels charged too; a selection of bubbles, wines (with or without fish-gut filtration), cocktails such as Sakura and Lavender; Grey Goose vodka, sakura vermouth, lavender syrup, lemon juice and lychee juice or go Japanese with Mizuhana’s range of Sake.
What did we think? We’d pay for this experience in a heartbeat. Holidays, Vacations, Voyages are for trying things you don’t get at home, for stretching the imagination. Foodies, vegetarians, and Vegans unite, get onboard with this plant-based sensation that will alter your perceptions!