Anyone underwhelmed by V&A?

[Shell54]

Sometimes I wonder if people spend so much money at Victoria and Albert's that they are reluctant to give it even a eh so-so review. A recent NY Times writer found it not all that fabulous and enjoyed another meal in the World better (Jiko? Citros? I can't remember).

Having said that Iam thinking DH and I would like to try it. I know it has many fans here. Is it really worth it?

 

[jbdreamer]

My friend surprised me with a dinner at V&A on our last trip together.
It was wonderful! They make you feel special - having multiple people wait on you. And the food was fabulous - every course was delicious.

My parents also went last year for their Anniversary and they did the wine paring. They were thrilled with the selections and came home a little tipsy.

If you have the money, I'd say definitely give it a try. It truly is an experience!

I would love to go back.

 

[Tricia1972]

For us it was the opposite. We thought that Victoria & Albert's was the best meal that we've ever had.

I think I remember the thread about the NY times review of Victoria & Albert's. There was a thread about that review here earlier this year. I believe that they did the Chef's Table with their two grandchildren, who were too young to eat at Victoria & Albert's. They felt that it was too much into the presentation and way too long for the kids. Though they felt that the food was outstanding. I'll see if I can find that thread and if my memory is serving me correctly. (It doesn't always do that )

Don't let one guy from the Times talk you out of V&A if you want to go. It is one of VERY few five diamond star restaurants - and the only one in Central FL. They must be doing something right

 

[TDC Nala]

For us it was the opposite. We thought that Victoria & Albert's was the best meal that we've ever had.

I think I remember the thread about the NY times review of Victoria & Albert's. There was a thread about that review here earlier this year. I believe that they did the Chef's Table with their two grandchildren, who were too young to eat at Victoria & Albert's. They felt that it was too much into the presentation and way too long for the kids. Though they felt that the food was outstanding. I'll see if I can find that thread and if my memory is serving me correctly. (It doesn't always do that )

Don't let one guy from the Times talk you out of V&A if you want to go. It is one of VERY few five diamond star restaurants - and the only one in Central FL. They must be doing something right

If it's the same interview as I recall, I'm with Tricia on this one - the reviewer and her husband (I believe this was a female reviewer) intended to write a dining review of WDW based on the expectations of their two young grandchildren. Where do they eat? Chefs Table at Victoria & Alberts (at this time, you can't even bring children under 10 into the restaurant, and if I recall correctly both her grandchildren were under the age of 10.) She didn't have anything bad to say about the food although she did mention it wasn't what she would recommend with young kids.

 

[BriarRosie]

I just ate there on Sunday. I felt it was worth every penny.

 

[Pakey]

We have eaten at V&A many times and have always enjoyed the food. The other 5 star/diamond places we have eaten had service that was more to our liking but the food itself at V&A has always been outstanding.

 

[Shell54]

I think V&A will be an itch I will have to scratch Our trip in June will be 3 adults so no kiddies to worry about. Is this a place to call at 180 days on the dot for?

 

[goofygal531]

Is this a place to call at 180 days on the dot for?

Good question! I'd like to know this also.

 

[iluvpluto27]

Good question! I'd like to know this also.

We called around 10 weeks before for a reservation this October and had no problem getting the time we wanted, but I don't know if that's normal. The previous time we dined there was 2005 and we got a reservation about 4 weeks prior but for the later seating. The Chefs table is definitely a call 180 days out thing.

We've only dined there twice and I have loved it both times. I definitely wasn't underwhelmed, I enjoyed every morsel of food and it was absolutely worth the cost.

 

[skunkvette]

I was underwhelmed, so much so that I have skipped V&A for other dining options during our last two visits.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=12900324#post12900324&highlight=

Post #9 and #11 for my thoughts.

Don't plan on going next visit (May 09).

 

[Shell54]

I was underwhelmed, so much so that I have skipped V&A for other dining options during our last two visits.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=12900324#post12900324&highlight=

Post #9 and #11 for my thoughts.

Don't plan on going next visit (May 09).

skunkvette Thank you I really like reading all POV's. I enjoyed reading the whole link. I was beginning to wonder if there was anybody that would discuss even a slightly disappointing experience at V&A. Having said that I still think we will want to experience it in June.

 

[conandrob240]

No! Our meal at V&A seemed like a bargain considering the quaility of the food, the presentation, the service, the atmosphere. It was among the best meals I have ever had in my life. We go back again this Sunday and I am so excited!

 

[ElizabethB]

We love it! And, we're not alone.

From a Wall Street Journal review of V&A Chef's Table dated July 7, 2006 and written by two well-known wine writers, Dorothy Gaiter and John Becher.

"We were led through the lovely dining room, past the harpist and into the back of the large kitchen where there was a single, long wooden table. (We were not recognized as wine writers.) Ou chef-host introduced herself, waiters poured a pink cava from Spain that we hadn't tasted before -- Cordorniu Pinot Noir Brut -- and for the next three hours, we had one of the most satisfying meals of our lives. We asked for the optional wine-pairing menu. We have had wine-food pairings at some of America's best restaurants, but we've never had more thoughtful combinations. The wine and food spoke to each other in a way that was quite special."

 

[skunkvette]

skunkvette Thank you I really like reading all POV's. I enjoyed reading the whole link. I was beginning to wonder if there was anybody that would discuss even a slightly disappointing experience at V&A. Having said that I still think we will want to experience it in June.

Shell54 -

I sincerely hope you have a great experience, I think that Disney dining, especially at the finer restaurants, is an intergral part of the Disney vacation experience.

Enjoy.

 

[paulabarber]

I'm so glad to see this thread.
I am planning our trip for '09 and was thinking of surprising dh
with a visit to V&A's for our anniversary night dinner.
I think you have just convinced me!

Now I just have to figure out how to ditch the rest of the
family for a romantic evening.

 

[davinakb]

I've enjoyed it both times I've been, but I did not think everything was "the best ever." I even posted about certain things being just okay or blah, what I liked best. There will always be hits and misses anywhere and with anyone, as tastes vary. If expectations are sky high, down is the only way to go. YMMV. If you like haute cuisine, fine dining and enjoy a unique dining experience, V&A is worth a try; I certainly hope to go again some day. That said I've enjoyed places like Jiko just as much, which has as much to do with that particular night, its service, the company, the wine, etc. as anything else. FWIW.

 

[LErin26]

I ate there 2 years ago and honestly it wasn't what I thought it would be. While I am a vegetarian, DBF is not and he agreed with me. They were very nice in preparing me a veg menu, but forgot the note that DBF doesn't do seafood. I guess we're not the Haute Cuisine types. Loved the wine pairings, but dinner at California Grill was more satisfying and obviously cheaper. Glad we tried it, but won't be back.

 

[BriarRosie]

I wanted to add that you shouldn't be intimidated about salt and pepper. I am positive that if there aren't any salt and pepper cellars on the table, the servers will get them for you.

And I did the wine pairings at my recent meal there. But I wanted a wine listed with a different item to be paired with mine, asking the server if he thought it would work with my item. He agreed that it should be ok, and it was. So there is flexibility if you want it.

While the main dining room was very good, the Chef's Table is a treat above that.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Don't believe anything you read in the NY Times!!
V&A is one of the best restaurants in the U.S. If you like fine food and fine dining, it's a wonderful experience.
IF all you can eat crab legs , the endless pasta bowl, or that 48oz. functionally raw Porterhouse are what you crave, V&A won't be for you. Going there will be a mistake and you won't enjoy it.

And from time to time there have been a few (very few) negative reviews of V&A on the boards. It dosen't happen often, and probably not because anyone is "afraid" to post.

 

[scrapbookworm]

We ate there June 2007.

Something that I ate did not sit well with me. It may have been the fact that I had a mojito beforehand, but one of the dishes had salmon roe, if I recall, and it was extremely salty. After that my stomach really hurt, and I couldn't enjoy the rest of the meal. I went to the restroom several times because I thought I was going to be sick. Admittedly, I have a sensitive stomach. I shouldn't have had the mojito beforehand. But whether or not that is the true cause, I don't know. My DH sampled everything on my plate (and I, his), and nothing bothered him.

The service was amazing, and the food was really good. However, in consideration of what we paid and tipped, I don't think that we will be returning. For a long time, I would almost cry when I thought about our meal at V&A. We knew that it would be a once in a lifetime experience, and I blew it because something made me sick.

I haven't even made a scrapbook page about it.