MSC Cruises released details about a couple of new dining concepts: Hola! Tacos and Cantina and Indochine, both debuting on MSC Virtuosa. MSC took delivery of its newest liner (fleet's 18th/sistership to MSC Grandiosa) in February 2021.
In a press statement, the CEO of MSC Cruises, Gianni Onorato, said dining onboard the line's vessels aimed to be "a gastronomic adventure with authentic food, globally inspired menus and culinary artistry."
Hola! Tacos and Cantina is open for lunch and dinner and features a street-food dining concept with Latin American and Mexican-inspired drinks and dishes. Menu choices include blue corn tacos, vegetarian tacos, nachos, tamales, beef empanadas, tortilla soup. Beverage choices feature a "Top 10" list of tequilas and mezcals. The signature salsa bar of the restaurant offers a choice of 6 home-made salsas as well as a selection of spicy sauces. A fresh guacamole station rounds out the experience. Passengers can choose to make their own guacamole at the table or have it made for them. For dessert, vacationers can pop into the Mexican Ice Cream Taco Bar.
Indochine is the second new onboard dining concept that offers "Vietnamese classics with a French twist." The menu includes vegetarian and vegan dishes, along with family-style options. Menu choices include green papaya salads, beef bo buns, French roasted snails, veggie Vietnamese crepes. The restaurant also has healthy and balanced options. Passengers can choose from combinations of sour, salty, bitter, sweet, and hot flavors. In addition, Indochine offers signature tropical cocktails and an ample wine list.
In total, MSC Virtuosa will boast 5 specialty restaurants, 5 MDRs (main dining rooms), a 1,336-seat buffet restaurant, 21 bars and lounges. Among those are 3 popular MSC Cruises specialty restaurants available on the line's other vessels:
American-style steakhouse, Butcher’s Cut, serving specialty cuts of meat and surf and turf, prepared in an open kitchen.
Kaito Teppanyaki restaurant offering a modern East-West cooking style of Japanese cuisine on 2 teppanyaki grills.
Kaito Sushi Bar providing an intimate dining experience, allowing passengers seated above the promenade to watch fresh tempura, sashimi, and sushi being prepared by master sushi chefs.