Celebrity Cruises has announced “Qsine”, the new restaurant to feature onboard Celebrity Eclipse.

Created by Celebrity’s Vice President of Culinary Operations, Chef Jacques Van Staden, Qsine will offer guests contemporary favourites and a modern take on familiar dishes from around the world.

Van Staden commented, “Our guests love new and different dining experiences, and we’ve designed Qsine to deliver that in a big way.  Qsine is designed to offer a globally-influenced blend of nostalgic and contemporary favourites, artfully presented with elements of surprise.”

Qsine’s menu – a large, backlit square filled with words and phrases designed to engage guests in the experience – implies that Qsine is an unusual place. And the cuisine makes it clear, with most of the selections so unique that nearly all of the dishes and plating have been designed exclusively for Celebrity Cruises.

The menu includes offerings such as spring rolls nestled in vertical springs, “Sushi Lollipops” (Nigiri sushi with soy centre, wasabi mayonnaise and pickled ginger-radish salad), “Meatball Trilogy” (Kobe beef with cheddar and marinara sauce; veal with mushrooms and marsala sauce; and turkey with cranberry and sage gravy), “Chitinis” (Chinese selections served in martini glasses), “Tresviche” (tiger shrimp and bay scallops with lemon juice, tequila, cilantro, tomatoes and jalapeno oil), “Popcorn Fish & Chips” (Boddington’s-battered codfish and chips served with malt vinegar or aioli), “Slider Party” (mini-grilled Kobe beef patties with aged Wisconsin cheddar served on brioche buns with “Qsine’s original slider sauce” and garnishes), “Taco Royale” (Black Angus sirloin steak, homemade taco shells, caramelized onion-poblano, and do-it-yourself fresh guacamole, with a stone mortar and pestle), and “Lava Crab” (Alaskan King crab, sweet yellow corn and scallions with Hataifi and Old Bay sauce, served in glasses over heated red stones).

The desserts menu is presented in a hinged, twistable cube menu and included dishes such as candied apples, popcorn and individual cookie jars.

“Qsine is designed to surprise our guests with uniquely unordinary dishes, innovative presentations and engaging experiences,” said Van Staden. “It’s designed to allow them to share with each other, sample several different selections, and simply experience both new and favourite foods in an entirely fun and unexpected way.”

Qsine will be open each night onboard Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Eclipse between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Cover charge is $30 per person. There are no age restrictions for dining in Qsine, and the dress code is smart casual and above.

Guests already booked to sail on Celebrity Eclipse can make a reservation at www.celebritycruises.com.

Celebrity Eclipse is scheduled to arrive in Southampton on 20 April 2010. The ship will be named in the city on 24 April 2010.

Onboard features on the new ship include a real grass lawn at the Lawn Club, a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass; 10 unrivalled dining venues, and widely varied entertainment, including shows with breathtaking aerial acts.