Chef's Table at V&A's for a party of 2

[mom2aPrincess&Pirate]

My husband has been longing to have dinner at Victoria and Albert's for years. Now that both of the kids are old enough to visit the Kid's Club for the evening, we have decided to take one night and make reservations.

He thinks that we're reserved in the regular dining room, but when I made the reservations, I made them at the Chef's Table as a surprise for our wedding anniversary!

I'm just wondering if anyone else has dined at the Chef's Table with just 2 people. Now that the reservation is made, I'm wondering if it will be awkward with just the two of us at a table than can accommodate a larger party?

 

[TinkLoverSam]

My husband has been longing to have dinner at Victoria and Albert's for years. Now that both of the kids are old enough to visit the Kid's Club for the evening, we have decided to take one night and make reservations.

He thinks that we're reserved in the regular dining room, but when I made the reservations, I made them at the Chef's Table as a surprise for our wedding anniversary!

I'm just wondering if anyone else has dined at the Chef's Table with just 2 people. Now that the reservation is made, I'm wondering if it will be awkward with just the two of us at a table than can accommodate a larger party?

I haven't done it though I did read a wedding TR where the couple were given the res as a wedding present for just the two of them (petalsandpixiedust is her dis name) and they loved it. Having been with a larger party I REALLY want to go back as just my DH and I I think it would be amazing!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Before they changed the layout, two were fun.
. . . you were in the "middle" of things
. . . cooks and chefs could talk to you
. . . and you, to them
. . . you saw all the cooking steps
2) But, they changed the design
. . . you are almost walled-off from the kitchen
. . . only one side of the table has a good view, through railings
. . . you are off to one side of the kitchen, instead of "in" the kitchen
. . . the chef talks to you, but hard to talk to other cooks
3) With the new layout
. . . the chef comes to you
. . . you still get specialties and tastings
. . . not as special as the previous design

NOTE: We have eaten at many in-kitchen chef-tables, and the
enjoyment is always the interaction with the cooks. The new
layout at V&A is still good, but far less an experience than being
in the middle of all the action. Now, when we do V&A, we stick
with the dining room.

 

[BriarRosie]

The Chef's Table experience is just fine with two people. It's still special and I think you should enjoy it.

 

[PrincessAurora]

I've eaten there with my girlfriend and we had a great time! We sat side by side, facing the kitchen. Honestly, I don't need to be smack dab in the middle of the kitchen. I want to eat. I want to talk. I don't want strangers hearing my conversation. Chef Scott came over and talked to us which was awesome and we could (and did) talk to various other chefs when their duties were by us.

One gal was making what looked like chocolate chip cookie dough but no... I recognized what she was chopping.. It was in bowl you could barely get your arm around filled with truffle butter!

One of the other sous chef's gave me tricks on how to cook my favorite food - Fois Gras.

It was incredible. Honestly I think two is a perfect number. I dont know what I'd do with a table fun of noisy people. You will have a wonderful time.

 

[TwoIfBySea]

I was there with DD12 for dinner last week. Just the two of us. I will agree that the Chef's Table doesn't have as good a view as I was hoping of the kitchen, but otherwise everything was fantastic.

Not only did Chef Hunnel come back to introduce nearly every dish, but we DID in fact speak with several of the other chefs, some of whom came back to introduce themselves or just to talk, and who said we should be sure to ask any questions we wished. We spoke with the Chef immediately under Scott Hunnel (apparently, he is the "Chef de Cuisine" and she was the "Chef"), and with the Saucier, at some length.

If they could raise the table a couple of feet off the floor you'd get a better view of the proceedings, but oh well.

The 10-course dinner was fantastic, and we did just fine on the food until the last dessert courses. Couldn't quite finish those.

In fact, I think it is perfect for two, since we both got to face the kitchen. More than two and someone would have been sitting to the side; more than four, and someone would have been blocking my view or sitting with their back to the kitchen. Two was just right.

I might feel a little funny going solo, although I heard it has been done .

You'll love it.

 

[totallymickey]

My husband and I sat at the Chef's Table a few years ago. We had a wonderful time. We spoke initially with Chef Hunnel, then as the evening progressed, we interacted with several of the others in the kitchen. I would highly recommend doing it with just the two of you. It is such a special dinner, but it makes it extra special just to share it with only one other.

 

[ElizabethB]

The Chef's Table is great fun for two. We have done it several times.

Like Rusty, we remember when the table was right in the kitchen. Our first visit to V&A was, in fact, the chef's table. Like the OP, I booked it as a surprise for dh.

We sat down and found that the chefs were rinsing pans in the sink right next to our table. Dh looked at me like I was nuts and asked, "Why are we in the kitchen?"

Then, the amuse bouche came out, dh took one bite and said, "Wow, now I get it!" Suffice it to say, he was sold.

That was several chef's tables ago. We didn't mind being in the kitchen at all. And, actually, we don't mind that they have moved the table into an alcove.

Either way, the food and wine are extraordinary.

Enjoy!