The Everything Victoria & Albert's Thread

[AquaDame]

I have a couple more questions if that is alright;
Have you found that if you CHOOSE not to eat certain kinds of meat that it is more appropriate to simply order one of the other options rather than tell them on the phone of your choices? I don't want to be a pest and I am not a full on vegetarian either. My fear is that if I don't mention that I do not eat chicken, veal or lamb that I may not have much of a choice at all when the time comes and will have to just pick the third option. Would trying for the Chef's Table be a terrible idea considering that I am making any requests? (And when is the earliest I'd be able to call in and try for it if not?)

Also my husband and I love having pictures of pretty food and have made a habit of taking pictures of memorable meals to enjoy later and (yes) to brag a little to a few of our friends who enjoy fancy food as much as we do. Would it be better and seem less obtrusive to pull out a cell phone or an actual camera? I'm certain that a DSLR would be a bit much, and imagine the phone might automatically steam some even though it will certainly be turned to silent.

Lastly, would you all recommend NOT having breakfast the next day?

[MoonFaerie]

Originally Posted by AquaDame

I have a couple more questions if that is alright;
Have you found that if you CHOOSE not to eat certain kinds of meat that it is more appropriate to simply order one of the other options rather than tell them on the phone of your choices? I don't want to be a pest and I am not a full on vegetarian either. My fear is that if I don't mention that I do not eat chicken, veal or lamb that I may not have much of a choice at all when the time comes and will have to just pick the third option. Would trying for the Chef's Table be a terrible idea considering that I am making any requests? (And when is the earliest I'd be able to call in and try for it if not?)

Also my husband and I love having pictures of pretty food and have made a habit of taking pictures of memorable meals to enjoy later and (yes) to brag a little to a few of our friends who enjoy fancy food as much as we do. Would it be better and seem less obtrusive to pull out a cell phone or an actual camera? I'm certain that a DSLR would be a bit much, and imagine the phone might automatically steam some even though it will certainly be turned to silent.

Lastly, would you all recommend NOT having breakfast the next day?

IIRC, they gave us both the vegetarian and regular menu, and we were free to eat from either. Also, if you don't eat a certain type of meat, feel free to tell them. You will NOT just have 1 choice. They will give you other options.

I don't know about the Chef's Table. We don't eat enough to justify it. (We're the type that usually split meals when we go out. )

IME, feel free to whip out the real camera. I brought mine, and I was taking a few pictures with no flash. Our Albert encouraged me to take pictures, and he even told me to feel free to turn on the flash.

[franandaj]

I would reccomend telling them everything you don't eat. One time we went there are the Amuse Bouche was all about salmon. I've tried, but I just don't like salmon. My Amuse was completely changed, but was still very similar to my dining companions plate, it just didn't have the salmon in any of the bites.

Also they have a variety of choices for each of the different courses, if you don't eat certain meats they will give you more seafood and vegetarian options on your menu.

As long as your camera doesn't make a huge flash and disturb others, you could use any kind you want. A cell phone camera won't work well in the dim lighting, and as evidenced by the number of pictures on the DIS, a lot of people take pictures of their meals!

If you want the chef's table, I would recommend calling at 7AM Eastern time six months to the day. Be flexible, it took me four days to finally get it. We ended up there the second to last night of our trip. I would have hated to have to get on a plane the next morning, the chef's table is A LOT of food!

I wouldn't plan on a character breakfast or buffet the next morning, but you could make a reservation, just realize you might only want a bagel, some yogurt or some other side of something. I doubt you would be up for the Big Kahuna at Kona!

[domiii]

Originally Posted by MoonFaerie

I just booked our V&A ressie for Oct 9. We're dining in the main dining room again. Queen Victoria was available, and I almost booked that this time. Last time, we didn't finish dessert, were full to the point of being borderline miserable, and never got hungry again until dinner the next day. Somehow I think adding more courses wouldn't be such a good idea.

October 9th is my birthday!! Enjoy. And thanks for the warning, we are in the QVR for our 25th anniversary this May. I won't eat all day just to prepare.

[AquaDame]

Thank you all for the advice! We tend to split meals too unless we are both starving, so I will pass on chefs even though it would be a nice experience.

[franandaj]

Originally Posted by domiii

October 9th is my birthday!! Enjoy. And thanks for the warning, we are in the QVR for our 25th anniversary this May. I won't eat all day just to prepare.

When in May? We will be in the MDR on May 6.

[domiii]

Originally Posted by franandaj

When in May? We will be in the MDR on May 6.

May 2. We just miss each other!! They were buildling the GF when we were on our honeymoon. I have literally been planning this for 25 years. We are going with both our mothers and our DD and her BF.

[Sorrel]

We have been to V&A for the last two years, and loved it! We booked again for our trip this year, and though we have had to change our accommodation from the Beach Club to offsite because of financial reasons, but we have kept our V&A ressie as a treat - we both love it and it will be the birthday celebration meal for us both The thought of cancelling that was just a step too far!

However, I was checking our last two personalised menus (with 2 weeks to go I am more than excited!), and the current menu on the V&A website, and they are more or less identical. Most things I read seem to say that the food changes daily, and of course I believe the amuse bouche does, and perhaps the appetisers, but the mains and the desserts all seem very familiar now. Do you think I can expect to see something different this time? What are the thoughts of those who have more times than me?

Thank you

[engle]

I find some of the items repeat....but I was there in January and found many new items that I haven't seen before....and I have been 5 times. There is always something new at V&A...unless you go maybe within a few months of each visit. I am sure you will have a lovely time...I just love V&A and try to make it every visit!!

[Sorrel]

Originally Posted by engle

I find some of the items repeat....but I was there in January and found many new items that I haven't seen before....and I have been 5 times. There is always something new at V&A...unless you go maybe within a few months of each visit. I am sure you will have a lovely time...I just love V&A and try to make it every visit!!

Thanks Engle. We'll enjoy it anyway, even if it is the same food as that food is delicious!

Just noticed our vacation countdowns are exactly the same

[sarmat1]

A couple of quick questions -

1. I see mention of upcharges in the Main Dining Room. For the Chef's Table, are there any upcharges or is anything included?

2. Given the new way of handling split wine pairings, does not having half pours now mean that the lesser number of full pours are appropriately paired to multiple courses? And if that's the case, what are the opinions of those who have done split pairings since the switch?

[mickeyd78]

Really hoping to book the Chefs Table for our wedding anniversary in November. Can you book the Chefs Table 180 days plus 10 if you are staying on property, or is it just 180 days? Also, is there a special number to call.

We've never been to V&A's before. Can't wait to try it.

[ambgoph]

Originally Posted by mickeyd78

Really hoping to book the Chefs Table for our wedding anniversary in November. Can you book the Chefs Table 180 days plus 10 if you are staying on property, or is it just 180 days? Also, is there a special number to call.

We've never been to V&A's before. Can't wait to try it.

Yes, you can book at 180+ 10 - that's exactly what I did and I had a choice of 2 dates the entire week I'm there.

I called V&A'S directly at 9am (when they open) at 180 days out. (407) 939-3862

Be sure to have your reservation number. Good luck!!

[netsorc]

Can you book the Chef's Table for one?

[scubamouse]

We still have our menu from 20 years ago. Has anyone brought back old menus with them to show the people working at V&A?