It takes a lot to lure me from the confines and comfort of the OC restaurant scene and the chance to board the Queen Mary in Long Beach and sample cuisine from all the ship’s galleys certainly qualifies.
Confession: I’ve never done this.
It was time.
First, some research: The Queen’s maiden voyage was in May 1936. England’s current queen—Elizabeth Alexandra Mary, popularly known as Queen Elizabeth II—had just turned 10.
The ship originally offered five dining areas and lounges, two bars, and a grand ballroom. The lords and ladies, rich and hopeful, famous and infamous found it the only way to go, and it sailed for 30 years, retiring in 1967, ending its seafarin’ career in Long Beach.
We began our exclusive booking at Promenade Café with avocado toast, a brisket burger, and chicken and waffle benedict—the last being exactly what it sounds like, two breakfast beauties in one.
Chelsea Chowder House & Bar was next for a lobster roll, clam chowder and Louisiana BBQ shrimp, followed by the main courses in the Queen’s famous Sir Winston’s with a trio of classics: grilled asparagus and lump crab, jumbo shrimp stuffed with lobster and crab, and beef wellington.
Longtime Queen Mary Commodore Everette Hoard, our tour guide and historian for the excursion, told us dining areas were originally below decks, but after the ship retired to Long Beach they were relocated to the main deck so diners would have views of the city’s skyline and water.
Sir Winston’s opened in 1972.
“We have seen many proposals in this restaurant,” Hoard said, “and we continue to see the affluent and famous. It’s our Eiffel Tower, our Statue of Liberty, our Big Ben.”
A cosmopolitan place, after which our culination culminated in the Observation Bar for dessert and cocktails.
“This was the main watering hole for first-class passengers,” said Hoard. “Clark Gable, Elizabeth Taylor, and Audrey Hepburn have taken a seat at this bar, as did Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy.”
As elegant and satisfying as the evening unerringly was, I was equally intrigued with the Royal Sunday Brunch, which I was told was legendary.
So I went back.
Fellow foodie Della Lisi and I, armed with voracious appetites, returned to experience it together.
Legendary indeed.
If it wasn’t enough to find avocado toast and lobster roll, Louisiana and London, Paris and New York—all in Long Beach—try the brunch: more than 50 dishes in the center of the massive ballroom, including stations for pancakes and waffles, omelets, tacos, salads, seafood, and carving, as well as an interactive sushi station with signature rolls, sushi and sashimi being made as we watched.
Dessert, and free-flowing champagne and mimosas are also included with brunch.
Commodore Hoard was on hand greeting guests and telling tales.
Another perk of dining aboard: the chance to explore the ship.
We strolled the main deck to gain the merest taste of life during its heyday.
I’ll be back soon for the full Sir Winston’s experience, as well as seasonal specials at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The Queen Mary: 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach 90802, (877) 600-4313, queenmary.com.
