The Everything Victoria & Albert's Thread

[roomthreeseventeen]

But if you have to eat at 5:30pm, that throws the whole day off, halfway between lunch and dinner.

 

[mef78]

Same here, you can already get the chef's menu in the regular dining room, so Im' not sure why getting it in this new room make it worth that much more.

No kidding? Then what makes it special? I had no idea you could get the chef's menu in the regular dining room...

 

[Tink rules]

I'm wondering which Servers have been trained...

Jack is my brother's best friend and is a CIA grad... I should ask and see if he's involved...

 

[Rip]

No kidding? Then what makes it special? I had no idea you could get the chef's menu in the regular dining room...

Yep, let them know when you make your reservation and again when they call 10 days out to confirm it. We did this in October. Personally, I'm going to try for the Chef's table next time for something different. If I can't get it, I may try this new room only because we are definitely going to get the wine pairings and the cost is only $5 more than the Chef's menu with the wine pairings, and I won't miss the additional $10.

If you aren't getting the wine, this seems like a rip off.

 

[chell]

I called V&A today to find out about the new Queen Victoria room. The woman I spoke with seemed kind of confused about the new dining experience (since it doesn't begin until Feb 1). Either she is wrong, or the website is wrong. She said that every person will be charged $295, whether they want the wine pairings or not. She also said there is a set dining time for the Queen Victoria room (she thought it was 5:30 but was not sure). We won't be doing this if they force everyone to buy the wine pairings.

This is what I have been told as well. It is odd that it isn't listed that way on the website.

 

[ElizabethB]

Rumors were that the Queen Victoria Room was to be several more courses and even more extravagant and indulgent than the Chef's Table. All indications so far are that the menu will be about the same in both places. DH and I were thinking we would want to do both experiences on our next WDW visit. But, at this point, we'll just try for the Chef's Table.

 

[Tink rules]

website's down... wonder what they're changing?

 

[GirlfromTN]

Got further clarification today - they will no longer let you order the Chef's Table menu in the regular dining room. So, basically, you have to either get the Chef's Table reservation, or pay $295 per person to sit in the Victoria room (whether or not you want the wine pairings). And from what I was told, the Chef's Table and Victoria room menus are exactly the same.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I had understood the same as ElizibethB--more courses, more "presentation" in the Victoria Room.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I think I'll stick with trying for the Chef's Table but at least I know that if I can't get the Chef's Table for special events I can try for the Victoria Room although my husband isn't a fan of wine so part of that might be lost.

 

[Rip]

Got further clarification today - they will no longer let you order the Chef's Table menu in the regular dining room. So, basically, you have to either get the Chef's Table reservation, or pay $295 per person to sit in the Victoria room (whether or not you want the wine pairings). And from what I was told, the Chef's Table and Victoria room menus are exactly the same.

Typical.

 

[Brygida]

I do mourn the foie gras though, I really really really wish they could bring that back. Best foie gras I have ever had was at V&A's (and I've had it on every visit); no other place in or out of WDW ever compared.

Have you tried the foie gras at Raglan Road. It is my favorite!

 

[ppony]

It's your table for the night, up to a party of 8 (or is it 10?).

We're actually considering V&A's for the first time. Bringing along a handy baby-sitter this time named "grandma" so we'll get our own time at least once. I was expecting DH and I to share the CT (IF we were able to get it) w/ other people. Do they really let just a couple eat there or does it have to be a group? I'm interested to see the website that is not working ATM.

I'm on the fence about trying to get the CT or not anyway becuase well, I have the worst palette ever. I hate seafood despite trying to like it. Can't stand the texture of foie gras (I tried it at Chef Ramsay's place in NYC..I TRIED to like it), don't like mushrooms, etc.. I know, I TOTALLY stink! I'm not proud of it. DH on the other had will lap it all up. Would we be better off eating in the regular room? I wouldn't want to insult the chefs to their face anyway by being such a lame palette.

Is it true $ jumped from $135 to $195? YIKES!

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

Do they really let just a couple eat there or does it have to be a group?

Yes, they really let couples eat there.

I'm on the fence about trying to get the CT or not anyway becuase well, I have the worst palette ever. I hate seafood despite trying to like it. Can't stand the texture of foie gras (I tried it at Chef Ramsay's place in NYC..I TRIED to like it), don't like mushrooms, etc.. I know, I TOTALLY stink! I'm not proud of it. DH on the other had will lap it all up. Would we be better off eating in the regular room? I wouldn't want to insult the chefs to their face anyway by being such a lame palette.

My opinion--if you're not open to trying new foods, preparations, etc. and have a lot of dislikes then V&A is a waste of money. It's not for the plain food/meat and potatoes crowd. Chef's Table or main dining room doesn't matter, the menu is similar.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The V&A web site shows that the menu for the Chef's Table and the Queen Victoria's Room are both the same, costing $200 plus $95 for the wine pairings. The two main differences are seating in a kitchen alcove as opposed to an extremely elegant room and at the CT you do have the Chef or one of the assistants describing each course.

Normally they figure 2-2.5 hours for the main dining room. Every time I have done the CT the time has been in the 4-4.5 hour range.

And there is only one party seated per night at CT; it may be as low as a solo diner.

 

[ppony]

Yes, they really let couples eat there.



My opinion--if you're not open to trying new foods, preparations, etc. and have a lot of dislikes then V&A is a waste of money. It's not for the plain food/meat and potatoes crowd. Chef's Table or main dining room doesn't matter, the menu is similar.

Thanks for your post. When I know the food I'm going to be given WILL be good, I'm wiling to try far more than at an average restaurant. I just won't risk it at any place I know may not be delivering the best each time ...which as we know is almost all places. That's probably why it's taken me until now to decide to try. I saw one of the menus designed for those that don't like seafood and it looked tasty. WHile I am more of a "meat and potatoes crowd", my DH is not. I'm really wanting to do this for him most of all. The same as I do sushi places for him. It's not fair to him to be handicapped by my sad palette.

I think maybe the regular dining room is a better choice. Let someone who truly wants to eat everything as they make it eat at CT.

 

[TDC Nala]

Have you tried the foie gras at Raglan Road. It is my favorite!

There's no foie gras (fatty goose or duck liver) at Raglan Road - but they do serve chicken liver pate.

 

[*Flower*]

I am taking my twin nephews to V&A to celebrate their 21st birthday in May. Both are foodies - one is a chef and the other works in a fine dining restaurant in Charleston as a server.

Hi Susan-

Divulge! Which restaurant does your nephew work at? We go downtown regularly- and wonder if we've ever been at his restaurant.

You'll love Vicky & Al's... go with an open mind and you'll probably love just about everything that they offer you!

Have a fantastic time!

 

[chell]

Thanks for your post. When I know the food I'm going to be given WILL be good, I'm wiling to try far more than at an average restaurant. I just won't risk it at any place I know may not be delivering the best each time ...which as we know is almost all places. That's probably why it's taken me until now to decide to try. I saw one of the menus designed for those that don't like seafood and it looked tasty. WHile I am more of a "meat and potatoes crowd", my DH is not. I'm really wanting to do this for him most of all. The same as I do sushi places for him. It's not fair to him to be handicapped by my sate palette.

I think maybe the regular dining room is a better choice. Let someone who truly wants to eat everything as they make it eat at CT.

It is awesome that you are so open minded and that you are willing to go to V&A for your husband to be able to experience it. It is so very sweet of you!

 

[chell]

I think I had mentioned here that we had to cancel our reservation because I had gotten a stomach virus on our trip. Early this morning I had a dream that we finally got to eat there and I started crying. I have only seen pictures of inside of the restaurant but I remember looking at all of the details and the decorations in my dream. Apparently I'm a lot more upset than I realized about missing this meal. Next trip, next trip...