Explora Journeys presents its culinary offerings for five of the six restaurants aboard the EXPLORA I. The cruise ship will feature 18 dining and hospitality venues, including 12 bars and 6 lounges. As part of this extensive offering, the five restaurants will provide cruisers with magnificent all-inclusive menus featuring unique signature dishes inspired by diverse international cuisines.
The diverse culinary experiences offered by Explora Journeys' restaurants are the result of the leadership of Franck Garanger, the company's Head of Culinary, and his team. The cuisine in these world-class restaurants is based on precision and technique; but equally important is the knowledge of the products, which are entirely fresh, locally sourced, and sustainably produced. These include items such as bread and pasta, all made entirely on board. Furthermore, Explora Journeys' sommeliers will offer unusual wines, some extremely rare, others from unexpected origins.
Explora Journeys' objective is to offer exceptional and impeccable gastronomic experiences in all its culinary spaces, including the five restaurants listed below.
- Sakura restaurant draws inspiration from the old teahouses of Kyoto. Its chefs follow traditional Japanese techniques and use carefully selected ingredients to offer a genuine culinary journey across Asia. The menus encompass not only Japanese cuisine but also Thai, Vietnamese, and Malaysian. Furthermore, the restaurant boasts a sommelier specializing in sake, shōchu, and other Asian-inspired beverages.
- Marble & Co. Grill is a relaxed and contemporary restaurant with soft lighting and friendly, attentive service; a tranquil and inviting place for lunch or dinner that reinvents the traditional European steakhouse concept. It offers exceptional cuts of the finest meats, rigorously selected for their intense flavor and sustainable origin. The restaurant boasts its own meat drying facility and a wine cellar brimming with excellent wines.
- Med Yacht Club evokes sophisticated Mediterranean beachfront restaurants. It offers regional recipes inspired by the sea, in a space designed for cruise passengers to enjoy with friends and family. The flavors and textures of Italy, Spain, Greece, France, and North Africa are showcased in sharing plates with a strong emphasis on plant-based ingredients, accompanied by cocktails and wines from Mediterranean vineyards.
- Emporium Marketplace is a minimalist, airy marble temple dedicated to food. It serves destination-inspired dishes, including sushi, seafood, and exquisite meats, presented alongside freshly cooked pasta and baked pizza. Guests can also enjoy a deli and cheese shop, as well as bread and pastries served directly from the oven. Fresh juices, smoothies, and acai bowls are served at breakfast time.
- Fil Rouge offers exquisite international cuisine with French inspiration, in an intimate setting that invites diners to linger and fully appreciate its level of culinary creativity. The décor features intricate hexagonal shapes that contrast with the austere white walls, a tribute to timeless elegance in its purest form.
Explora Journeys' chefs combine contemporary techniques and creativity with a deep respect for the culinary traditions of each region, with a single goal: to ensure that cruise passengers continue to remember what they have eaten and drunk long after their trip has ended.
Franck Garanger, Head of Culinary at Explora Journeys, along with his team, personally sources and selects the finest ingredients from around the globe, combining them to create a magical palette of flavors that reflects the regional cuisines of each trip. He is assisted by a team at the forefront of the culinary world: Alban Gjoka, Senior Lead Culinary Operations; Jérôme Toumelin, Corporate Executive Chef; Christophe Sapy, Corporate Executive Pastry Chef; and Frederic Godineau, Senior Executive Chef.
The extensive experience, artistic talent, and culinary sophistication that these experts bring to Explora Journeys kitchens ensure that guests enjoy exceptional gastronomy.
