Are there any non seafood options at Victoria and Albert's?

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I have been talking about splurging for Victoria and Albert's on our next WDW trip. I was looking over the menu and it appears to be VERY seafood heavy. I'm really not much of a seafood lover (it upsets my stomach) so I was just wondering- are there ways to get some non-seafood options for the courses that are only seafood? I'll eat it if I have to because I know by husband would love it but of course I'd prefer not to have to not truly enjoy many of the courses! Also- does anyone know what they serve on Thanksgiving Day? (I'm just curious) Thanks!

 

[mommyrosa2]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I have been talking about splurging for Victoria and Albert's on our next WDW trip. I was looking over the menu and it appears to be VERY seafood heavy. I'm really not much of a seafood lover (it upsets my stomach) so I was just wondering- are there ways to get some non-seafood options for the courses that are only seafood? I'll eat it if I have to because I know by husband would love it but of course I'd prefer not to have to not truly enjoy many of the courses! Also- does anyone know what they serve on Thanksgiving Day? (I'm just curious) Thanks!

Don't know about Thanksgiving Day but I do know that if you're not a seafood lover, just let them know when you make your reservations and they'll make a note of it. My husband is an adventurous eater, I am not, and while I like SOME seafood, I'm pretty picky and won't eat just any kind of seafood so when I made the reservation, I had them note pretty much anything for him but I asked for just steak, pork, chicken and shrimp for me and my menu was tailored accordingly. We went last October for our 30th anniversary and it was the BEST meal and experience - so glad we did it.

 

[ambgoph]

They absolutely have no seafood options. When you make the reservation, tell them you would prefer no seafood, but that you're husband would like to keep the seafood. You can also substitute a course with an option you prefer with a course and option you don't care for.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Keep in mind tho--unless things have changed, you cannot get steak unless you pay extra.

And the restaurant does not have an unlimited supply of every known meat or seafood option. If you really want lets say-- shrimp, odds are you won't be able to get it.

 

[mommyrosa2]

Keep in mind tho--unless things have changed, you cannot get steak unless you pay extra.

And the restaurant does not have an unlimited supply of every known meat or seafood option. If you really want lets say-- shrimp, odds are you won't be able to get it.

I had beef last October and did not get charged any extra - not sure what kind of beef it was but it was indeed beef. In fact, I got exactly what I asked for (one beef plate, one pork plate, one chicken plate and one shrimp plate, they then added in some type of mushroom dish as my other course). I think if you stick to the basics, they do their best to accommodate - at least that's what I was told when I initially made the reservation .

 

[Uncleromulus]

Used to be you could get a filet--the last 9 times we were there, that was OFF the menu and the only beef/meat/steak available was Kobe or Wagyu--both upcharges.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

I'm glad to hear there are non seafood options available! You all just made my day. I would be more than happy to pay extra for beef if it meant getting to enjoy the food more! Yayy! Thank you!

 

[kiford]

We went to V&A for the first time in 2000 and I didn't realize that I should tell them that I'm allergic to seafood beforehand. When we got the menu, the amuse bouche had seafood so I told them that I couldn't eat it. They made modifications right there for both that and the rest of the menu. Since then (we've been six times since) I tell them in advance that I'm allergic to seafood and they make a special menu for me. DH loves seafood (and usually orders the upcharge caviar) so he gets what he wants and I get what I want. We're going again in December to the QVR and I'm so excited. Last year in the QVR we had similar menus but mine was modified to take out all seafood and it was sooo amazing and the wine pairings were spectacular.

I will also say that I only tell V&A's what I absolutely cannot eat, not what I don't like. I hate mushrooms. The first time we were there I ended up ordering a pasta dish for one of the courses that had morel mushrooms (I forget what the other choice was but I liked it even less). It was one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. V&A is pretty much the only place I will eat mushrooms or anything else that the chef cares to make as long as I'm not allergic to it. But - they can accommodate a wide range of tastes and intolernces and allergies.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

When we ate at the Queen Victoria Room last December, they called a week in advance to inquire about food allergies and "dis-likes". I assume they do this for the main dining room, too, but I'm not sure.

In the QVR, you do not order off a menu. You can choose the 10-course meal with or without wine pairings. (This was last December, may have changed) Add-on's are available. For example, the first course may include caviar as an ingredient, but for an additional charge, you can add a full course of caviar. The menu may include Australian Kobe-style beef, but for an up charge you can get Japanese Kobe Beef.

It is one of the best meals I have ever had (maybe the best if I don't include meals prepared by my Mom!) so definitely try the chefs recommendations unless you have an allergy or severe reaction.

 

[Richard M Nixon]

Always get the white truffle additions. I love adding them to the breads throughout dinner and maybe a few bites of this and that. A bowl of large truffle shavings is just amazing.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

We went to V&A for the first time in 2000 and I didn't realize that I should tell them that I'm allergic to seafood beforehand. When we got the menu, the amuse bouche had seafood so I told them that I couldn't eat it. They made modifications right there for both that and the rest of the menu. Since then (we've been six times since) I tell them in advance that I'm allergic to seafood and they make a special menu for me. DH loves seafood (and usually orders the upcharge caviar) so he gets what he wants and I get what I want. We're going again in December to the QVR and I'm so excited. Last year in the QVR we had similar menus but mine was modified to take out all seafood and it was sooo amazing and the wine pairings were spectacular.

I will also say that I only tell V&A's what I absolutely cannot eat, not what I don't like. I hate mushrooms. The first time we were there I ended up ordering a pasta dish for one of the courses that had morel mushrooms (I forget what the other choice was but I liked it even less). It was one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had. V&A is pretty much the only place I will eat mushrooms or anything else that the chef cares to make as long as I'm not allergic to it. But - they can accommodate a wide range of tastes and intolernces and allergies.

This makes me really happy! I'm glad to see they will completely modify the menu for me! Every time I eat seafood I get really sick. I don't know if that's some sort of allergic reaction or what but the thought of never getting to go to a place with such a good reputation was so disappointing! I'm typically a pretty adventurous eater so I am looking forward to trying it!!

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

Always get the white truffle additions. I love adding them to the breads throughout dinner and maybe a few bites of this and that. A bowl of large truffle shavings is just amazing.

I LOVE white truffle I will definitely be adding that!!

 

[Jennasis]

I'd love to try V&A but we have some food aversions...DH won't eat anything that lived in water, and for me I don't like fish, ANY type of fruit. We also don't drink wine. Not sure if it would be worth it for us.

 

[kiford]

For our 10-course menu in the QVR room last year, this was our menus:

• ME: Cauliflower panna cotta; DH: Cauliflower panna cotta with Siberian caviar
• ME: Moroccan couscous salad with preserved artichokes; DH: Roulade of smoked salmon and Alaskan king crab
• ME: Crispy rice cake with baby bok choy (at the last minute I was asked if the chef could add some lean bison meat to this dish - YES); DH: Alaskan sablefish with baby bok choy
• ME: Long Island duck with turnip kraut; DH: Scottish langoustine with nage crema
• Both: Truffled Bell & Evans chicken with hedgehogs (potatoes)
• Both: Berkshire "porchetta" and sherry vinaigrette
• Both: Australian Kobe-style beef with comte potato gnocchi
• Both: Cheese selection
• Both: Green apple mousse with sour cream ice cream
• Both: Peruvian chocolate crunch

This was also started with a little amuse bouche (don't recall what it was).
DH also had the 1 oz Galilee osetra caviar with traditional garnishes (upcharge)
Also available for an upcharge was a white truffle to start and Miyazake Japanese beef in place of the Kobe-style beef.

In 2013, we ate in the main dining room where they give you 2-4 selections per course (7 courses). That time they didn't do a special menu for me but since each course had at least one item which wasn't seafood it was easy to avoid it. Except for the fish course and for that they suggested substituting one of the other options in one of the other courses or something from their vegetarian menu. They also said that if I didn't like the non-seafood choices in a specific course, I could substitute from another course but I didn't need to.

There were various non-seafood choices like: Palmetto Farms quail with serrano ham and figs, roasted duck with fennel and leeks, Niman Ranch lamb with butternut squash agnlotti, Mangalitsa pork with Zellwood corn and stone ground grits, Marcho Farms veal cassoulet. I can't remember which one I substituted for the fish course because as I read it now, I'd be happy to eat each and every one.

In the QVR they start with a complementary cocktail but they have both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions. We do always do the wine pairings but plenty of people don't. It's not required or even expected and if you choose not to do so, they won't bat an eye.

 

[Dean Marino]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I have been talking about splurging for Victoria and Albert's on our next WDW trip. I was looking over the menu and it appears to be VERY seafood heavy. I'm really not much of a seafood lover (it upsets my stomach) so I was just wondering- are there ways to get some non-seafood options for the courses that are only seafood? I'll eat it if I have to because I know by husband would love it but of course I'd prefer not to have to not truly enjoy many of the courses! Also- does anyone know what they serve on Thanksgiving Day? (I'm just curious) Thanks!

OK - let's talk about V&A....

Right off, these fine people will PHONE you. They won't give up until they actually CONTACT you . This can be both wonderful, and annoying .

Part of what they WILL ask you concerns any allergies, or downright DISLIKES of certain things. As these are actual humans? They will LISTEN to you .

All opinion from MANY trips to this fine establishment . You've picked the BEST Restaurant out there.... and they ACT like it. They will NEVER bring you that which you simply do not desire.... they will do what fine restaurants do . Tailor your meal to YOU . Please - CALL 'em. Unlike others, they have a real phone number, and they WANT to discuss your dinner with you .

Call 1-407-939-3862. I see their phone number has been REMOVED from the V&A Website at:
http://www.victoria-alberts.com/index.html. BAD MOVE - this is NOT a Restaurant suitable for a WDW Dining Rep to arrange details for....

All personal opinion, I'm not right, you aren't wrong

 

[Richard M Nixon]

Yeah, I've only done the chef's table when I go, but they're very accommodating and will fit the meal to your tastes. Tell them what you dislike and go ahead and mention some of your likes, too. They vary the menu based on market availability so they can't promise anything will be there, but they'll make sure that you won't eat anything you dislike. It's no big deal not to drink (though if it's because you dislike the taste, let them offer a suggestion - you'll be surprised). The only type of person I would say would waste the experience is the person whose palate is so underdeveloped they're ordering chicken tenders at every meal. If that's not you, then go for it. I would suggest that you push boundaries a bit, though, and let them give you something that you wouldn't normally eat. I hate the taste of lamb but when it's prepared so masterfully by the chefs at V&A's, I eat every bite.

 

[Lisa F]

This makes me really happy! I'm glad to see they will completely modify the menu for me! Every time I eat seafood I get really sick. I don't know if that's some sort of allergic reaction or what but the thought of never getting to go to a place with such a good reputation was so disappointing! I'm typically a pretty adventurous eater so I am looking forward to trying it!!

it sounds at the very least like you have an intolerance. I'd be comfortable saying so if I were you.

 

[fifthdimensiondweller]

it sounds at the very least like you have an intolerance. I'd be comfortable saying so if I were you.

I agree! It is something that runs in my family so I think it's safe to say it's some sort of genetic intolerance