My cruise partner Richard and I have many fond memories of dining at Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria, the $30 a person alternative dining venue on Princess Cruises. The inviting Italian restaurant has attracted many other foodie fans since it was introduced in 1998.

And now things are changing with new recipes designed to please the palate and the eye thanks to a fleetwide enhancement in collaboration with acclaimed Italian chef Angelo Auriana, who is creating handmade pasta dishes (like my Mom used to do) as well as family recipes curated from Italian Princess executive chefs across the fleet.  

The new  Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria will appear first on  Caribbean Princess following a multimillion-dollar dry-dock. Recognized as one of the “Best Specialty Restaurants at Sea,” the Sabatini locations on Caribbean Princess and Grand Princess will offer the new inspired menu starting later this month, with the newly refreshed menu extending across the fleet in the coming months.

Auriana, executive chef and partner at the authentic Italian restaurants The Factory Kitchen and Officine BRERA in Los Angeles, is inspired by fresh Northern Italian flavors and childhood roots from his hometown of Bergamo. He relies on using old world grains like buckwheat and durum that give semolina the signature pale yellow color and high-protein strength necessary to hold the shape of house-made pasta. Non-traditional ingredients like mint and marjoram are also infused to showcase Auriana’s contemporary flair.

A wide variety of new pasta dishes

Offerings at the revamped Sabatini's will include:

• Picagge  – marjoram-infused long pasta, white prawns, clams, artichoke pesto, ligurian olive oil  
• Tortelloni – mint-speckled pasta, roasted lamb, pecorino crosta nera, cacio e pepe sauce, broccoli rabe
• Pappardelle – wide ribbon pasta, celeriac, nebbiolo-braised beef cheek
• Risotto – vialone nano rice, beets dolce latte, gorgonzola, pistachios
• Torchietti –whole wheat pasta, foraged mushrooms, rosemary oil

Fresh-made dishes with roots in Northern Italy

“In my hometown of Bergamo, Italy, I was born with an appreciation for the beautiful flavors of Northern Italy that I love to incorporate into my cooking,” said Auriana. “Now I’m pleased to share that appreciation through delicious new Sabatini’s menu items made fresh daily and served exclusively on board Princess.”

Many Princess chefs hail from Italy and their family favorite recipes are featured on the new menu, including:

• Roman Seafood al Cartoccio – grouper, shrimp, black mussels, scallops, potato, artichoke
• Porchetta – rolled pork belly toscana, fennel seeds, potatoes, spinach, roasted tomato
• Breaded Veal Vallet – marjoram roasted potatoes & artichokes, sun-dried tomato, provolone

Contemporary look with rustic touches

The re-envisioned Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria a contemporary look that reflects the innovative efforts of the Princess culinary staff, while rustic touches serve as a reminder of the traditional Italian specialties that always have been a Sabatini’s hallmark.

There is a surcharge of of $25 per person for the  four-course dinner, plus dessert. Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria will soon feature pasta-making classes for guests, with more details coming soon.

For more information about Princess Cruises, contact a Cruiseable travel specialist at 1-877-322-3773.