Waterways’ Meals in Motion
May 27, 2010 by Hedonista · Leave a Comment
Captain Peter Walsh of the Emerald Star guides crusin' diners through the what's-what and who's-who of Lake Washington.
In anticipation of the pending summer season, dear hedonists, it appears that, effective May 13, 2010, Waterways Cruises – founded in 1994 as a one-yacht, family-run charter business – has made some changes. BIG changes:
Waterways went Eastside. Formerly out of Lake Union, Waterways Cruises are now departing out of Renton on Lake Washington.
- Sushi for brunch … how very Pacific Northwest!
Waterways created a cruise menu. Waterways Cruises Founder and CEO Hilton Smith conceived of the idea from the former Spirit of Washington Dinner train. As a result, they’ve begun a new year-round cruise venture they’re calling the Lake Washington Dining Cruises (LWDC). Operated on two of this company’s three entertaining yachts – the MV Emerald Star (a 250-passenger, 105-foot, two-deck vessel) and the MV Olympic Star (a 150-passenger, 90-foot, two-deck vessel) – these luxury yachts provide all the comforts of home (just remember that the “head” is the bathroom). What’s more, these catered cruises, which depart from Renton’s Southport Pier and Promenade, offer several different seasonal cruises that intend to entertain, inform, and reveal the water-view-only spectacular sights of Lake Washington. Their selection of cruise packages include (but are by no means limited to):
- John Tucker staffs the omelette/scramble egg station, which is tricked out with a ton of tasty toppings.
Sunset Dinner Cruise – Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings; 7 p.m. departure (2.5 hours); Adult, $69; Senior/Military, $62.
Weekend Brunch Cruise – Saturday and Sunday; 11 a.m. departure (2 hours); Adult, $45; Senior/Military, $40; Children (5 – 12), $15; Children (Under 5) Free.
Homes & History Cruise – Saturday and Sunday; 2 p.m. departure (2 hours); Adult, $33; Senior/Military, $29; Children (5 – 12) $11; Children (Under 5) Free.
Happy Hour Cruise – Friday afternoon; 3:30 p.m. departure (2 hours); Adult, $39; Senior/Military, $35.
On a recent media weekend brunch cruise, your Hedonista got a chance to check it out. Their brunch menu, for example, now serves fairly decent sushi rolls, mouth-watering in-house smoked bacon and salmon, and the addition of an omelette/scramble station, to ensure the eggs are served up as fresh as possible. When I last sampled their Weekend Brunch Cruise a couple of weekends ago, they served up a chunky-style creamy vegetarian corn chowder; vegetable-laden with a balanced smokiness that lingered on the palate, that chowder was the best I’ve had in a long time.
All aboard! Waterways’ “Meals in Motion” will be departing all summer long….
Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.
