Sailing through the captivating landscapes of the South of France aboard the Riverside Ravel, every evening held a special ritual for me and my friends—Harry, Deb, Anne, Kirk, and Allie. With each sunset casting a golden glow over tranquil waters: we would convene at Waterside—this luxury river cruise’s singular culinary gem. We gathered not merely for food- though every dish was indeed its own masterpiece. It was about the laughter, the shared stories, and the memories we created, set against the backdrop of the French countryside. With every bite and every toast, Waterside encapsulated the essence of our journey—a blend of friendship, luxury, and the unparalleled beauty of our surroundings.

Riverside Ravel Waterside Dishes

Below you will find a few of my favorite dishes I enjoyed in Waterside while sailing Riverside Ravel’s ‘Bolero South of France’ itinerary. Bon Appetit!

Appetizers

Seared Foie Duck Gras with Raspberry, Peppercorn Compote on Brioche
Seared Foie Duck Gras with Raspberry, Peppercorn Compote on Brioche
Vichyssoise - Cold Creamy Potato Leek Soup, Chips
Vichyssoise – Cold Creamy Potato Leek Soup, Chips
Escargots in Garlic Herb Butter, served with Crostini
Escargots in Garlic Herb Butter, served with Crostini
Spaghetti Carbonara with Egg, Crisp Pancetta, Parsley, and Parmesan Cheese
Spaghetti Carbonara with Egg, Crisp Pancetta, Parsley, and Parmesan Cheese
Red Beets with Goat Cheese Cream, Hazelnut, Forrest Berries, and Truffle Honey
Red Beets with Goat Cheese Cream, Hazelnut, Forrest Berries, and Truffle Honey

Main Dishes

Pink Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Ratouille, Potato Gratin, and Thyme Demi-Glace
Pink Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Ratouille, Potato Gratin, and Thyme Demi-Glace
Slow Roasted Venison with Potato Noodles, Caramelized Pears, and Cherry Demiglace
Slow Roasted Venison with Potato Noodles, Caramelized Pears, and Cherry Demiglace
Seared U10 Scallops with Peas Puree, Porcini Butter, Port Wine Reduction, Serrano Ham
Seared U10 Scallops with Peas Puree, Porcini Butter, Port Wine Reduction, Serrano Ham
Duck Confit a l' Orange with Grilled Romanesco and Carmelized Endive
Duck Confit a l’ Orange with Grilled Romanesco and Carmelized Endive

Desserts

Mango Bavarois with Ginger Coconut Sauce
Mango Bavarois with Ginger Coconut Sauce
Riverside Ravel desserts
(Apologies) – I wasn’t able to find the name of this dessert
Raspberry Mille FeuChocolate Mousse, Raspberry
Raspberry Mille Feu with Chocolate Mousse, Raspberry

As the final moments on the Riverside Ravel approached, I couldn’t help but think: how does one even come close to replicating the magic whipped up by Executive Chef Paula? Would it be too much to ask Riverside Luxury Cruises to grace my quaint Illinois hometown with their presence? Or maybe the solution is a repeat adventure, this time aboard the Riverside Mozart. Every food enthusiast deserves to dream, don’t they?

Stay tuned for my article featuring the Vintage Room experience on Riverside Ravel. In the meantime, take a look at my post showcasing everything you need to know about Riverside Ravel Cabins & Suites.