J is for Just Me, Yet Just Amazing
Why yes! Yes you are!
Some evenings are magical. And some are almost perfect. This was one of those.
So glad to hear that you had a wonderful time.
I put out the call to anyone who’d respond to join me at Victoria and Albert's.
I do remember that call. I would gladly have accompanied you if I'd been able to go then.
chefs in classic white toques.
Meh. We see people in toques up here all the time.
I realized that it was a major longshot to get a dinner partner for this extravagant splurge, but still thought it’d be more fun to share such an experience.
Sorry! I really would have!
Yes, I’ve sat in front of show kitchens before; yes, I’ve had my napkin folded on my chair while I’ve stepped out; yes, I’ve had wine pairings with each course, but this… THIS!
Ditto... but... not for years and well... definitely
not Ruby's cup of tea.
Alas, it was not to be, and you know what?! I was TOTALLY okay with that. I have done many solo vacations and have spent a lot of time by myself just doing my thing, and I am truly, completely comfortable in my own company.

I know that feeling.
I usually say I'm my own best entertainment.
Men - Sport coat or suit jacket with slacks or dress pants; tie is optional.
What? Dress pants? What's wrong with a classic sport coat and jeans????
Fine. I'll pack pants if I ever do this (not likely to do that solo, though... and Ruby's probably not going to go to WDW any time soon and
definitely would feel super uncomfortable doing this, so.... )
At least I can wear my runners.
Casual attire, such as jeans, shorts, capris, sandals, flip-flops or athletic shoes, is not permitted."
Dang it!
I LOVE dressing up! This is my kind of place! I’ve done Civil War re-enacting, sewn by hand, worn, and danced in formal 1860s ballgowns, and love costuming pretty much anything.
That's not dressing up. That's costuming.
Must admit... I prefer costumes to dressing up...
Then again... I seldom get the chance.
You know what made it even better? I found yet one more reason to wear my tiara. Who doesn’t love a tiara? (guys, I’ll allow you to skip that question.)
You go on ahead without me.
An hour before my scheduled seating, because most people can’t just hop on a bus and expect to be anywhere on Disney property in 10 minutes like some, ok, one, of our illustrious colleagues here, I set out.
Don't understand.... it takes someone 10 minutes? Slow. Huh.
the monorail- the only REAL way to arrive in class and style at the Grand Floridian.
Ah. So if Disney said "Mrs. Buren, we would like to take you to dinner in our Cinderella carriage." You'd be "Nah. I'm good. I prefer the monorail."
Got it.
I stood there in the very short line, and just in front of me stood quite possibly the fairest princess in all the land. The most beautiful little pixie I’d ever beheld. In a gown almost as pretty as she, she waited patiently with her Mom and Dad and HOLY Crap!.... we had matching tiaras!!! There was NO WAY I wasn’t going to give her royal greetings and become her friend
Very cute story.
We continued to talk and I told her I was going to a very special dinner, so I wanted to look like a princess too. Of allllll the magical things I experienced over the course of the evening, her telling me that I did was the best of all.

This is really nice... and.. I'm a bit jealous.
You can get away with that. If I had a little kid come up to me and engage me like that, the parents would be looking at me suspiciously the whole time.
I try to keep a distance as a result. Makes spreading pixie dust a bit problematic.
It is no doubt my favorite photo of the entire trip.
And I totally see why. That's not only a great memory, but it's an
excellent photo.
We arrived at the platform and had to part ways. She was just about to the door, but suddenly turned around and ran back to me, and gave me a huge, giant hug. I nearly burst into tears.
Awwwwww!!!
The piano music filled the space creating a luxurious atmosphere to be welcomed into.
Beautiful.... I've never been.
I’ve spent some time just sitting in this area with my eyes closed on a couch taking in the live music on past trips,
In pkondz's hustle and bustle trips, I doubt I'll ever have the chance to do this.
I easily found the entrance and was instantly greeted BY NAME as the door was opened for me. “Good evening, Mrs. Buren. Welcome to Victoria and Albert’s”.
Question. I noticed you are not wearing your MB. Did you have it with you in a purse? Or how did they know you?
Since he was in a tux and knew my name we were off to a great start.

So
that's what it takes!
my, not one, but two, servers, Sharon, and some other guy. Sorry, some other guy, you brought plates out to me and were there, but you were outshone by the blazing star named Sharon.
Very pretty. What's the small dome between the flowers and your plate?
“In 1971, the term Kabinett was officially noted in German wine law, and it was given its current definition which applies to wines which are light and non-
chaptalized. Kabinett's current definition differs greatly from its etymological implications of it being a
reserve wine. Before 1971, the terms Naturwein (natural wine) or
Natuerrein (naturally pure) were used in place of Kabinett. These terms designated non-chaptalized wine, where no other designations, such as
Spätleseor
Auslese, applied.
[5] “
Is this a foreign language? No idea what you just quoted.
There are also some additions you could add for an upcharge, like Wagyu instead of the Kobe.

Now
that I would do.
Here is my personalized menu to guide you through the courses:
I actually had to go back up.
"Wait a sec... she said
personalized."
Sure enough... your name...
and a personal congratulations! Nice touch!
Now, close your eyes. Imagine, if you will, a harpist softly strumming songs from Classic Disney movies, the delicate, occasional clinking of silver utensils on plates, soft conversation. The delicious aromas of cooked breads and meats and wine fill the air.
mmmmmm.... yes......
the dining room you see elegant tables bedecked with red roses, gigantic bouquets of fresh flowers, fabric wallpaper, fine linens, candles, wine glasses filled with beautiful red liquids, people with smiles, perfectly composed and well-behaved. Quietly around the edges the wait staff stand ready to attend to any anticipated needs of their patrons, decked in tuxes with towels over arms. Yes, it was just like in the movies.
Sounds absolutely stunning.
Yes. Why in fact that is a mother of pearl hand carved spoon that I shall dine from.
No. Wow.
If there is a food in Heaven, this is it. I’m pretty sure God Himself was in the kitchen and prepared this. Literally, if that was the only thing brought out to me all night long, I’d have gone home happy.
Very impressive.
It was about this point that I knew why this establishment has earned the 5 Diamond status. Every single course that followed was unbelievably delicious in every meaning of the word.
I've done that
once. But it pales in comparison to this.
It was carefully paced to make the evening as relaxing and elegant as possible.
Nice.
The first fish course was the sablefish and was served with a little heap of fresh grated horseradish served on a sharkskin paddle.
I'm not a fan of horseradish... but then again, I've never had fresh.
At this point, I mentioned to my “other waiter” that I lived in the Willamette Valley winery area and have this very label’s tasting room within mere miles of me. This immediately brought the Maitre d’ to my table who wanted to know about my area, and talk about Oregon wines.
Oh, really! Who knew more? Him or you?
I don’t know a lot about wine actually, but I could carry this conversation well and it was fun hearing about how they compared with the French Noirs that grow in similar Laterite soils. Don’t I sound hoity-toity? LOL!
I could easily carry that conversation.
"Uh, huh. Sure. Okay. Yep. You bet..."
My wine knowledge comes in two packages. "I like that." and "I don't like that."
Got lost trying to find my table again.
I was totally mortified. I wasn’t even that juiced up, but I am CERTAIN he was like…”Sharon, cut that chick off!”
Sure you weren't.... Sure, Liesa....
In my defense, once you get past the dining room, it’s a bit of a maze back there and I wasn’t paying any attention when I left my seat as I passed the chocolate truffle cart and got a little.... distracted.
Oh. I see totally understandable.
I mean if you see a chocolate truffle cart, it's
definitely going to make you stop. And then after a bit you might lose your way because you're lost in chocolate dreams.
Of course when you add in stumbling around drunk to the equation....
Have you ever had a dish served to you literally served IN its smoke? It came served under a domed glass dish, and when the server lifted it, the smoke came swirling out all around me. So. Cool.
No. Way!
That is COOL!
Never seen that. Or even heard of it.
Safely back at my table and noshing on duck, at some point I got a little chilly and Sharon noticed me rubbing my bare arms. She unobtrusively came a little closer and asked quietly if I was chilled. I confessed I was a bit, and without another word she appeared with a silk pashmina and gently wrapped it around my shoulders. I thought it an extremely classy and thoughtful move. There is nothing V&As doesn’t consider.
This right there. Totally impressed. I've never heard of a restaurant doing that.
If this isn't food porn, there is no such thing.
Totally agree. Everything looks.... impressive.
I am a bit of a coffee and a cheese snob.
Sharon went WAY above and beyond at this point and offered to take my phone to the kitchen and get pictures of all the labels from the 5 selections I would be tasting.
That
is going above and beyond.
Here is the presentation of the cheeses; I will spare you from the cheeses' labels.
But... was there one (or more) that you noted the label and want to buy?
Yes, I ate the gold leafing:
Sure. Why not?
Now, I’m gonna be honest. I started to peter out right about the middle of the cheeses. JUST. TOO. MUCH. Too much food. Too much wine. Too full!!!!
Too bad!
This was not good coffee. It was GREAT coffee,
I read the first sentence and thought "Oh, that really sucks! It'd been so great up til then!"
And then.... aaaahhhhh.....
brewed using a method I’ve never seen before. It is prepared using a vacuum method and hard to describe. Best just to see it yourself.
Huh. I have heard of it... but never seen it.
“Liesa, sorry to bother you, but the table of 4 just over there, is asking for the pleasure of your company for coffee and conversation.”.
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuhhhhh, ok!
“Please tell them I accept.”
Get out! That never happens to me.
“Hello. My name is Something MacLaren. “
“No. Way! My maternal grandmother was full Scotch, and her father was Clan MacLaren. He was from the Highlands and immigrated just before the war.”
“Hello. My name is Something Else MacLeod”.
Okay, now things just get.... bizarre.
My Grandmother's MOTHER was Clan MacLeod. We joked together a lot about the Clan MacLeod’s tartan… “Loud MacLeod”.
What are the odds?!?!?!?
I turned to the first gentleman and he exclaimed (a bit loudly in heavy brogue), “I blimey just invited the family to dinner!”

Now
that's funny!
I sat with them at least another hour
Sounds like good company.
and we were the last ones out of the place and probably had the most fun of all the patrons that night.
So you went alone... but wound up with company after all.
Best of all worlds.
All told, it was came to $348.67 including tax and tip and 2 glasses of purchased wine.
Not bad actually. I would've expected worse (as in more.)
And it was TOTALLY worth it. TOTALLY.
Definitely sounds like a life highlight, not just a Disney one.
Normally, each guest would choose their truffles from a cart wheeled tableside, but wisely they chose to let our conversation continue without interruption. Again, attention to detail and impeccable service.

Just when I thought they couldn't get
better.
SEE?! I found my monorail home no problem!
Uh, huh.... ".... and Liesa was found the next morning, snoring quietly in the lobby... at the wrong resort."
I can’t recommend this experience enough. It is perfectly magical in every sense and something I will remember forever.
I am so happy this turned out so well for you.