Chef's Table-Victoria & Alberts?

[DisTeach1]

Okay, we are thinking of the Chef's Table for our trip next Sept. A few questions/problems???


It will be for my husband's 50th birthday on September 25 and he really wants to treat himself and do the Chef's Table, plus it is our first night of vacation, so it will be a great start!

Two questions???

1) My son will be with us. He will be 17. Is that Okay? We figure this is our last big trip in September, because after that he will be in college and will not have a fall break. He is a young adult, loves all foods, loves Hell's Kitchen and would excited to eat in the Kitchen. He's not really the problem...

2) Okay...for the problem...My mother will also be with us. She is 75 and we have taken many trips while my son was growing up and we figure this is her last big trip. So, we wouldn't consider not having her at this dinner.

But she is a REALLY picky eater...from Depression era, Midwest. Salt is a spice, and the meat better be really cooked, if you know what I mean. She hates sauces and seafood. Get the picture? I just think, since we will be at the Chef's table, can we tell the chef 'bland, and then more bland". I mean, if she had a steak thrown on the grill, she would be happy.

So, my dilemma, I don't want to sacrifice this experience because of my Mom, but I would like her to eat SOMETHING and enjoy herself. I'm not worried too much about the money...What do you think?

 

[2infinityandbeyond]

I think your son would enjoy it. Your mother? Doubtful. The restaurant would probably do something to accomodate her, but it wouldn't be a chef's table or V&A's meal. For many of the courses, I'm not sure what, if anything, they could do to modify the course to suit her.

Would it be possible for your son and mother to eat somewhere else when you go to V&A's?

 

[DisCopper]

Eating at a Chef's table isn't just about the food... it's about the whole experience. Tell them you want her food "bland and more bland," but maybe she can also sample some things that she'll like. If your son likes "Hells Kitchen," etc..., then he'll probably love it. And your mother may enjoy herself watching him have a good time. Don't grandmothers usually do that? I don't know how spry she is, but I'm guessing she won't be riding Tower of Terror and running for rope drop. But she'll enjoy the trip because she's with her family in a happy place.

Plan ahead and notify the restaurant, and I bet they come up with something that will keep her happy.

GO FOR IT!

 

[webray]

Yes, your son would love it. Great experience for him. For you mother, if you absolutely want her with you, then give the chef the foods she likes/her background and let him bring her that for that evening if possible. They use fresh seasonal ingredients and the menu changes often, but if the chef knows well enough in advance they may be able to accomodate your mothers needs. Keep in mind, the price you will be paying for basic bland food will be a high one. You have to decide if it is worth it to have all of you together for this special meal, as it is a real treat.

Your mother sounds like my dad, and he truley does not appreciate that type of food/experience. He thinks it is too expensive when we take them to one of the nicer restaurants in their small town. Keep in mind, we can take the whole family (mom,dad,brothers/sisters and their spouses), 16 people for less than my hubby and I can eat at chefs table.

 

[KristiMc]

The Chef's Table is very difficult to get so you will have to decide if you want to dine in the regular dining room if you don't get it. I really enjoyed the dining room, but it was just me and my DH for our 10th anniversary. It was very quiet and romantic.

 

[Pumbaa_]

What a great idea. i would talk to Mom about the experience and what does she think? Is she willing to give it a shot? She may surprise you!

I would caution against making this your first night. Not sure how you are getting there, but this is hurricane season and flight delays happen for so many reasons, not just weather. This is too special a dinner to be stressed and tired from travel, or worse yet miss the dinner!

Make your reservations directly at 7 on the 180th day. Practice ahead of time. There is only 1 reservation for chefs table per night. If you miss it hte first night, try again!

good luck!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I think your son would enjoy it. Your mother? Doubtful.

ditto

 

[crocnzen]

I think that it is a great experience and you should treat yourself. I am sure that the chef will do his best to accomodate your mother, I am a picky eater of sorts and I loved it...I do agree though that it is very difficult to get a reservation, I called everyday at my 180 and was lucky enough to get a reservation toward the end of our trip. Good Luck and enjoy!

 

[DisTeach1]

Well, thanks for the advice on getting the reservations...I didn't know it was that difficult. But, my husband and I are old veteran's at those 4 a.m. phone calls...We've gotten Cindy's for every time we ever wanted it, and like someone said, practiced ahead of time so we knew what buttons to push, etc.

Since this is a special meal, we definitely wanted to include our son, who would be broken hearted to be left out, so since that would mean my Mom would be by herself, she needs to come too! I think I will try to get the reservations, and then find a way to inform the chef ahead of time.

My Mom is very spry and social...I wouldn't be surprised if the chef loved her-She's just like that with people. In any event, it may be expensive, and she may still be hungry when she is done, but I think it will be worth it. Like she has said, "It's Disney World...I won't starve to death."

 

[prncess674]

You said your mom is a picky eater, but then said she likes her food bland. Those are two big diffferences. Is she only kids chicken nuggets and mac and cheese eater or will she eat a variety of meats and veggies but just doesn't like them spicy with lots of quirky sauces. I would be specific about what she will and won't eat. Don't box her into a blah corner if her only complaint is she doesn't like spicy and sauces. If she will eat a variety of foods ask that hers be plated more simply and all sauces to be served on the side.

 

[TDC Nala]

The Chef's Table is actually more difficult than Cinderella's as there is only one seating per night and if you don't get it, you need to decide whether or not you will accept eating in the main dining room. It sounds as though you want a very specific date to celebrate a birthday, so you should have some backup planned in case you are not the first person through to the V&A line.

 

[DisTeach1]

Thanks...If we don't get the Chef's Table, we will probably just try another restaurant.

And I guess, if I think about it, My Mom is a picky, bland eater...Doesn't like a wide variety, doesn't like sauces or vegetables, her salads are always basic head lettuce, etc. with cucumbers and tomatoes, that's it. Like I said, I consider her tastes to be very Midwestern, depression era, although I know others that age and timeframe who don't eat like that.

 

[ElizabethB]

I agree. The Chef's Table is much, much harder to get than Cinderella's Royal Table.

Also, I really don't think your mom would enjoy it. It's extremely expensive, portions are small. While the execution is superb, there are lots of layers of flavors. In fact, that's what a friend of mine enjoyed the most when we dined in the dining room recently. The flavors are complex and many layered.

If she likes a steak, consider Shula's. Also very expensive, but much more steak and potatoes. I think she can get an iceberg lettuce wedge salad there, which is tasty, and she could have them hold the roquefurt dressing or substitute another dressing. She can have a plain steak and a baked potato with nothing on it if she prefers. I think she'd like it much better than V&A. Plus the steaks are excellent.

Hope you have a good time wherever you end up!

 

[floridamingo]

Having eaten at Victoria & Albert's, and also having a dad and grandma very much like your mom sounds, I would not waste the time or money. I know they would not enjoy the meal and would hate to spend almost $200 per person on a meal that they wouldn't want. Perhaps it may be advisable to have a different celebration meal with the entire family and to do V&A's on your own or just with your son. I would definitely speak with your mom about the idea to see what her thoughts are before booking it.

 

[floridamingo]

Also keep in mind that this is a three to four hour dining experience.