I'd recommend trying both alternative resturants - we enjoy them both. Le Grill is outdoors - I like the ambience - casual, intimate, tropical breezes, candlelight - the food is Asian/Pacific. I'd say La Veranda is more "upscale" than L'Etoile - darker, quieter, French cuisine - but not as "formal" as Signatures would be on other ships. No entertainment in La Veranda - though sometimes the Gauguines will stroll the restaurants singing softly. LV on the PG is not the casual alternative like it is on the other ships - I'd say the opposite, it's more of the special occasion restaurant on the PG.

I don't think it's any problem to get reservations at both during the course of a week. Hope this helps, let me know if you have more specific questions.

Dena