How does Victoria and Alberts work?

[ITALIANNYC]

Hey all

I booked a V&A reservation for 530 in the coming months. I am curious, how does this work?

Do we have to get the pre fix menu? Can we order items by themselves? Can we leave after 2 hours and not stay 4-5 like I have read about? lol Are tips included?

Its so confusing lol Is there any links that explain the process?

Thanks so much.

BTW. I've read the menu and have no idea what anything is, but I'm sure its good right? lol

Also, with the wine pairing, how many glasses do you get?

Thank you!

 

[AFwifelife]

There are menus that you choose your courses from. Either 7 or 10 courses I believe. Not so much just ordering an app, entree, and dessert. With the wine pairings, you get a glass per course. Tips aren’t included. We ate during the second seating in the main dining room and it took about 2.5 hours.

 

[BlueFairy]

from wdwinfo.com

"This upscale dining experience is offered solely to guests age 10 and up. (Note that the price/menu remains the same regardless of age.)

Victoria and Albert's is a AAA Five Diamond Award winning restaurant and Disney's premiere dining venue. Personalized menus, elegant decor, gentle harp music and a long stem rose for the lady combine for a dining experience unlike any other.

The menu changes daily and the one given below is a sample of what could be offered. The seven-course Contemporary American meal features fresh ingredients gathered from the world's markets.

A Chef's Degustation Menu, a series of 10 small courses created by Chef Scott Hunnel is one of the options available. The dishes are inspired by the seasons and Chef Hunnel's travels to Asia, Spain, Italy and France. This menu is $235 per person.

First seating is from 5:00-6:00pm and second seating is from 8:30-9:15pm.

There is a dress code. Gentleman are asked to wear a dinner jacket with dress pants and shoes. (Ties are optional) Ladies are requested to wear a cocktail dress, dressy pantsuit, skirt/blouse or nice dress. The following are not allowed: jeans, shorts, capris, flip-flops, sandals or sneakers.)

Prices are per person and do not include tax, tip or alcohol unless indicated:
$185.00 per person (Tax, alcohol and gratuity additional)
Price of wine pairing - additional $65.00 per person
Some premium menu items will be an additional charge above the prix fixe price."

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=33

We considered this years ago and were not able to go. If you are not familiar with this type of dining, seriously consider whether it is for you. The menu will likely not be what is listed on any website posting. It will change daily. I find the wording confusing. The base price for the 7 courses (outlined to follow) is $185. You will receive a menu with the evenings offerings. It appears you get an introductory bite sized taste called an amuse bouche, then choice of 4 items from a list of 7 (all served as a separate course), and finally a choice of 1 item from a list of 3 for the 5th course. Choice of dessert.

The full 10 courses with a portion of each of the above is $235.

For wine pairings ($65 per person), it is traditionally 1 small serving of each wine presented. I'm not sure whether they'll group your food to match 1 full glass with 2 or 3 courses, or whether you'd receive a separate small taste of different wines for each course. The server would likely offer you some input in the pairings if you suggest your taste in wines at the start of the meal.

I'm sure your choice of wines and cocktails are available to order separately as well if you prefer.

I would not expect a 4 hour meal unless you are a large group or book the chef's table.

This is my speculation based on the reviews I've heard, the menu posted, and our experiences with 5 star dining elsewhere. V&As is on our bucket list.

 

[AFwifelife]

Yes you have the option to buy just a glass of wine or even a bottle as well as cocktails and non-alcoholic options.

 

[BlueFairy]

Here is a very detailed review

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/...ts-chefs-table-at-the-grand-floridian-resort/

 

[soniam]

If you don't want a long meal, I would skip V&A. It's about a luxurious dining experience, not just a meal. It's really good, but that type of dining isn't for everyone and isn't always feasible for the current trip. Go when you really want an "experience". I would say it's really 2-3 hours, not 4-5, unless you do the Food & Wine specialty meal, which was the most amazing dining experience of my life.

 

[JZCubed]

Hey all

I booked a V&A reservation for 530 in the coming months. I am curious, how does this work?

Do we have to get the pre fix menu? Can we order items by themselves? Can we leave after 2 hours and not stay 4-5 like I have read about? lol Are tips included?

Its so confusing lol Is there any links that explain the process?

Thanks so much.

BTW. I've read the menu and have no idea what anything is, but I'm sure its good right? lol

Also, with the wine pairing, how many glasses do you get?

Thank you!

Dinner is theater at V&A.

I'm not sure why you'd want to rush if you are stepping outside your 'norm'.

If you have even the simplest 7-course meal and assume 15-minutes between each, you are going to be past 2-hours. Some things can be 'rushed', others, not so much. But it becomes difficult to rush when each course is being prepared only after you've finished the one in front of you. Hot food cannot be served hot if you rush.

This is white-glove territory for each and every thing.

There is live harp music playing.

There is a menu for water (flat or with bubbles, spring or mineral or 'tap', lightly salted, etc.).

Bread and butter change with most every course (pink sea salt, 'gray' fluer de sel, etc). No basket is left sitting on your table - this is white-glove territory.

You can chose to have 'up-sells' of things like caviar and/or truffles - which add to your cost and time spent dining.

Wines by the glass are very good ($$) to excellent ($$$$). I find the wine pairing is too much wine. Typically, we have a bottle of Champagne to start our meal and leave some to finish with dessert; we supplement with maybe one additional glass each (I like Chardonnay, my wife likes bold-Reds).

Like most any multi-course meal, the progression of flavors will typically move from mild-to-rich (i.e., fish to fowl to red meat, sauces move similarly).

But you may also mix-and-match from just about every part of the menu. For instance, maybe you don't eat meat, you can have more fish. Maybe one of the items on the Vegetarian Menu is intriguing, so you can have that as a substitute - at no additional cost. But there may also be options that are an additional cost - items like Kobe Beef or some types of Fish (i.e., turbot) come with a cost above and beyond the prix fixe cost (and will be marked as such).

I'm not sure what you do not understand when you say "you don't understand what anything is," since shrimp, scallops, duck, etc. are just like you get anywhere else. Of course, the presentation and/or accompaniments may be unfamiliar, but that's part of the intrigue. Besides, as the seasons change, so too do the items on the menu.

No, tax & gratuity are not included in the base price.

Dinner is theater at V&A. Enjoy!!

 

[NYIrunDisney]

They will call you a few days before your meal to ask about any allergies you or your guest(s) may have. Be VERY specific about what you do not want or can not eat. As soon as they are off the phone with you, they begin to prepare your menu.

When you arrive, they will present you with a ten course menu specific to the dietary needs/preferences at each person at the table. Should you choose to have the 7 course menu, they will ask you to eliminate three items off the 10 course menu. Once you make your selection, the most amazing culinary experience of your life begins. You may get the wine tastings, or you can order any beverage you like ala carte. If you've never done it, really take the time to take it all in. And don't be disappointed if you are still a little hungry after your first three courses. The remaining ones get bigger and you will absolutely leave full and happy!

 

[tinydancer312]

I want to mention when we were there in November, they only provided the 10 course menu and indicated which courses are removed to make 7, unlike in the past where you received both. What I didn’t like was that they only listed the price in the 10 course at the bottom, and no indication it would be less to take the 7 course. I was horrified through half the meal thinking how much more it was going to cost than I had prepared for, and in that setting it would be mortifying to get up. Luckily when they brought the check, each meal was the $185.

It just felt slightly sneaky and underhanded to not hav the 7 course as a clear choice. It left a bad taste in my mouth, and I’ve dined there a few times.

 

[ZephyrHawk]

I've done V&A's 4 times now, most recently last month.

I booked a V&A reservation for 530 in the coming months. I am curious, how does this work?

V&As will contact you about a week before your meal to confirm the names of your party members, and to discuss any potential allergies or food dislikes of the party. If there are any, they will make special plates for those people in the courses they would not like.

On the day of, assuming that you are eating in the main dining room, you will be shown to your table. You will have two servers almost exclusively dedicated to your eating party. You will be offered water (including a fancy water menu), alcoholic drinks, and the ability to peruse the food menus. The fancy water and/or drinks are all extra charges.

Do we have to get the pre fix menu?

Once again, assuming the main dining room, you will have a choice between 2 menus: a 7 course and a 10 course. Obviously, the 10 course costs more. Unlike the poster above, when I went in January, the 7 and 10 course menus were different (although many of the courses are the same). I almost went with the 7 course because it had duck (I love duck) and the 10 course didn't.

You have to choose one of the menus, but, obviously, if you've indicated a food issue (e.g.,allergy, vegan, hate onions) the staff will present alternative plates for certain courses. Also, I've heard of people requesting to swap some plates from the other menu for one course, and it being granted. Further, there are "upcharge" options. For example, if you really love caviar, you can pay to have a lot of very good caviar added on top of one course.

You will also be offered a wine pairing. If you get it, you get 1 glass per course. They are not "full" pours, but they are "generous". You do not need to get the wine pairing. You can just order wine by the glass, or get a beer, or a mixed drink, or nothing alcoholic at all. All of that, obviously, costs extra. Well, not if you stick with soft drinks, but the alcohol costs extra. The wines range from good to excellent, by the way. I found a new favorite the last time I was there.

Can we order items by themselves?

No. It's not that kind of place. That's what prix fixe means.

Can we leave after 2 hours and not stay 4-5 like I have read about? lol

V&As is not just a meal, it is an experience. Could you leave a Broadway show at intermission? Yes, but why would you? You're paying for the right to take your time meticulously eating your way through many courses of delicious food, digesting excellent wines, and soaking up the atmosphere. Honestly, it does not feel like 5 hours when you're doing it. Every time they bring out the coffeepot I find myself thinking, "What? Over already?! Waaahhh!"

That being said, this sort of meal is not for everyone. DH and I can regularly spend days rehashing a good meal we've had. In fact, just the other day DH was showing a picture of the apple dessert we had to some friends of ours and raving about it. However, not everyone is quite as excited by food and dining. If you don't want to spend an entire evening eating and drinking, you might want to consider another one of Disney's fine restaraunts.

Are tips included?

Hahaha! You wish.

No, tips are not included. And since the service is universally excellent, you can expect to start at 20%.

Its so confusing lol Is there any links that explain the process?

The link provided above is for the Chef's Table, which is run a bit differently than the main room or the Queen Victoria room.

BTW. I've read the menu and have no idea what anything is, but I'm sure its good right? lol

Yes.

Keep in mind that the menu, technically, changes daily. The chef chooses the courses based on the seasonal availability of ingredients. There are some staples (e.g., smoked lamb, Kobe beef course) which you'll pretty much always get, but there's no guarantee of what will be served from day to day.

Also, with the wine pairing, how many glasses do you get?

I answered this above. But I will say that although 7-10 glasses of wine may seem like a lot, you're eating constantly, so that soaks up quite a bit. You're likely to have a visit from the sommelier while enjoying your dinner to make sure you're enjoying yourselves. His name's Israel, and he's also the maître d'. He's a bona fide Disney legend. The harpist will probably also make a stop throughout the night. She's awesome by the way, and a geek. She learned the Serenity theme (mid-meal) for our table.

If you've got any other questions, shoot!

 

[kiford]

Dinner is theater at V&A.

Excellent description as is the rest of your post. Dinner at V&A's is all part of our Disney experience. We've done the Queen Victoria Room our last two visits and now it is impossible for us to do the main dining room (although in a pinch, it will certainly do). We've been to V&A's eight times and each time we spend longer and longer for dinner. You don't have to, but if you truly want the full experience for which you are paying and want to be able to come anywhere close to finishing your meal, you really do need to allocate at least 2.5-3 hours to digest between courses, finish your wine if you're doing the pairings, take full advantage of the bread (oooohh the bread), and talk to your dinner partner.

DH and I can regularly spend days rehashing a good meal we've had.

So can we. When we visit DH's family in Germany and head out for the day to some location where we've been before, I can quite often recall what I had there the last time (or what I had in a place close to there) if I liked it. His family thinks it's hilarious. I just think it's a huge part of my vacation. No different than the sights that I saw that I particularly remembered.

Keep in mind that the menu, technically, changes daily.

And can even change on the fly. I'm allergic to seafood so I get my own customized menu. One time we were there and they had modified a course that DH had on his menu to remove the seafood component. At the end of the prior course, the server came over and said that the chef had decided at the last minute that he would like to add some bison to it and would I mind (as if I'm going to say no!). Delicious.

 

[Kewz1]

DH and I plan to finally eat at V&A this fall. I can’t begin to express how excited I am. Reading the above comments has me sitting on the edge of my seat. September won’t get here fast enough!

 

[Jelly563]

You booked a V&A reservation for 530 ??..... omg !! I dont think theres enough room

 

[ITALIANNYC]

You booked a V&A reservation for 530 ??..... omg !! I dont think theres enough room

What does that mean exactly lol

 

[siskaren]

What does that mean exactly lol

Without a colon, it looks like you meant that you booked for 530 people.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

prix fixe just means a Meal at a fixed price. This can be 2,3,4 or 100's of courses.
degustation is usually 8 courses or more it can be less but usually just more than 2 or 3.


To answer is no you cannot just go to Victoria and alberts and do two courses. Go somewhere else