A Private Affair Not To Be Missed

[Johnnie Fedora]

Haven't had a chance to post about this yet, but we had a wonderful experience at the HH resorts "A Private Affair". I really couldn't have been happier with our experience with Chef Gordon. We had a large group (14) at HH for Thanksgiving and booked "A private Affair several months in advance. At first, I was a little concerned about having such a mixed group for one big dinner out (both sets of in-laws and siblings), but I think everyone had a wonderful time. The beach house was a very nice and the table setting was elegant. Unfortunetly it was dark and we were unable to see the ocean. It was also nice to be able to go out in a large gourp and not have to shout over the noise in a restaurant. We could actually talk in normal tones from one end of the table to the other.

Chef Gordon is a super host and worked with me to alter his menu to include a fresh fish selection instead some of the recommended entrees. We requested that since we're from the midwest and seafood isn't always the freshest. All of the the food was wonderful. For the appetizer, Most of us had the crab cakes, except for my mother and sister who had tossed salads for their appetizer The crabcakes where the best I've ever had. I really think I could request them for a main dish the next time I enjoy "A Private Affair". Most of us had the fish selection, which was a combination of Orange Roughy and Tilipia. Chef prepared them simply, and it was nice to be able to taste the fish instead of a "cover'um up sauce". Both were good, but I think I enjoyed the Orange Roughy a little more. All the desserts were great, I really liked the Bananas Foster. The wine also flowed. The meal is a tremendous value for $50.00.

Todd was our waiter for the evening, and I just can't say enough about how the HH CM's really go out of their way to get to know their guests. A day or so before our meal, I was in the Big Dipper with the kids. The lifeguard asked me if we were the "Fedora" party, and I said yes. He said his name was Todd and he would be our waiter for "A Private Affair". I have no clue how he would have known our party, as it was just me and the kids in the pool, and I wasn't discussing dinner plans with the kids. I wonder if the rooms are bugged .

Todd is great, and he was also very interactive with my 13&17yo niece and nephew. Todd must be a miracleworker with the teens...he got my nephew (who's in the sullen/scowl-faced stage) to participate in most of the teen activities and some that were unscheduled.

The CM's at HH are the BEST I've come across at ANY Disney properties.

I highly recommend "A Private Affair" I can't wait to do it again. Of course, I can make those crabcakes in the meantime as Chef was kind enough to share the recipe with me. Although, I think he secretly knows I won't be able to reproduce his masterpiece.

Johnnie

 

[RobDoc]

I have no clue how he would have known our party, as it was just me and the kids in the pool

I'm sure he recognized you from the photo in your signature here!

Glad you enjoyed "A Private Affair". We've done it twice and plan to again next summer. Gordon is a most gracious host and the beach house facility does offer a great setting. Hopefully, you'll be able to enjoy it in the twilight sometime- the ocean does add some ambiance.

Thanks for the report!

 

[DownNeckBoy]

Johnnie:

Nice post. Since you were staying in a GV, did you consider having the dinner there? If so, what are your thoughts pro and con versus the Beach House, especially since it appears that you could not see the water very well?

Thanks!

 

[Chadm]

Could one of you nice folks explain "A Private Affair" to me? Thanks in advance.

 

[benhannah's mom]

We enjoyed a Private Affair in the beginning of June. So much so, we are replicating the dinner for Christmas Eve. We are using the recipes he gave us. We have made the crab cakes a couple times already. We LOVED the crab cakes and fresh seafood. It's kind of hard to get that here in the midwest.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

Originally posted by DownNeckBoy
Since you were staying in a GV, did you consider having the dinner there?

I asked Gordon about the possibility of cooking in the GV. He said he no longer does that. My guess is that the units just don't have all the culinary utensils need to create his wonderful meals. I think he did used to hold it in the GV when one of the GV's wasn't declared into the member inventory. At that time he was probably able to store extra utensils/cooking supplies etc. in that GV. Surfmans station is a nice place for the dinner. They cleared out the tables and made one long table for us. Surfmans station did not have a snack bar feeling with a nice table setting in it. It has glass on three sides and you are able to open the doors for an al fresco experience, if the weather is agreeable. After several glasses of wine, we opened the doors for a little cool air.

Also, Gordon would not accept a tip for the meal. He and I did had a discussion about this in the kitchen, and I felt comfortable with his explanation and belived this was he true feeling on the matter. He was not just being polite in his refusal. Todd also did not want to accept a tip, but some cash did fall out of my wallet onto the table before I left.

 

[RobDoc]

Could one of you nice folks explain "A Private Affair" to me?

"A Private Affair" is a program available at the HH resort where a gourmet meal is prepared for you by the resort's chef. Since the resort has no full service dining facility (there are many restaurants a short distance from the resort), this program has proven to be quite popular.

Chef Gordon is part of the recreation staff and has other responsibilities at the resort, but has been a chef for some time. He specilaizes in local menus- typical of the "low country" of South Carolina, but he is willing to prepare other items chosen by the guest. He will provide suggested menus upon request.

Originally, the meal was offered in a GV- until the sales office no longer needed the villa as a model. We have enjoyed the program twice- once in each location and found both spots to be elegant.

Advance reservations are suggested. This is available to all guests of the resort.

I'd highly recommend the adventure!

 

[Chadm]

Thanks for the explanation. Sounds like a great experience.

 

[bethsg]

I think they should bring the Private Affair Concept to the DVC resorts in WDW. What is the pricing structure for the Private Affair?

 

[Disneyaholic]

I believe the price for the private affair is $150 for up to three people, or $50 per person for 4 or more. There is supposed to be a limit of 8 guests (or at least there used to be), but Gordon has proven himself to be quite flexible -- we had a dinner for 9 this past July and Johnnie said they had 14!!

It truly is an experience, but I'm not sure that it would translate well to WDW. There are so many restaurant options available there, that you can get pretty much whatever you want.

There are private chef services available in a lot of communities now, and there are probably some of those available in the Orlando area, so you could possibly have the experience, but it just wouldn't be offered through Disney.

 

[sumessefui]

We have it booked for our trip in March. Can hardly wait after reading all of the glowing reports.