I got a chef's table reservation for Victoria and Alberts!!

[Calla]

I am soooo excited. Has anyone here done this? Any tips?

 

[pumba]

Congratulations.......I will bump you up. Maybe someone can answer it for you

 

[bbowers]

My tip - don't eat anything else that same day. I thought I was doing just fine, but it suddenly caught up with me during the SECOND set of desserts and I just felt like I was going to pop. I couldn't even eat the chocolate souffle, and I LIVE for chocolate souffles (even learned how to make the one from the cruise line at home).

Then that night, neither DH or I slept well at all because we were so freaking stuffed. We felt horrible.

Also, we both did the wine pairings, even though I am not big on wine. I figured I would try it, just because (because I wanted to spend money like water, apparently). I would NOT do that again unless I really, really liked wine. I ended up only mildly enjoying one or two of my choices and it really wasn't worth it to me.

The food, however, was completely and totally out of this world and I loved every bite I was able to force down my throat. And, watching the staff was so interesting - if only we had started watching Gordon Ramsay's shows BEFORE we had the Chef's Table - I would encourage you to watch some of those restaurant shows because it gives you an idea of things to watch for. Everyone was nice and they took a picture of us with the whole staff at the end.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Didn't have the Chef's Table but I do suggest the wine paring . DH loved it!

 

[MadamMim]

I've never been, but I'm very excited for you! Have a great time!!

 

[JennG]

Congratulations!! When are you going?

 

[Calla]

We are going the second week of December. Its going to be my kids' first disney trip. Grandma and Grandpa are coming so they'll get the kids while me, my brother, and my husband go to V&As.

I'll check out Gordon Ramsay's show. I'm already a big America's Test Kitchen fan, so more cooking shows are welcome.

 

[BriarRosie]

My only advice is to get there a little early. I haven't been to Vicki and Al's Diner since 2002, but it was the Chef's Table. We had checked in, waiting to be seated, and a couple tried to inquire whether they could snag the Chef's Table, hoping we were no-shows.

I don't know where you're traveling from, or whether you have a car. If you have a car, valet park. You don't want self-parking at the Grand Floridian. The self-parking lot is across the street, and I know I wouldn't want to make the walk in heels! If you're at another resort (that isn't another Magic Kingdom resort), I'd suggest you take a cab. You can call the front desk (or bell services if at a deluxe resort) from your room to arrange a pickup.

And yes, eat very lightly that day! I agree with that advice.

 

[bas71873]

If you get lucky enought to snag the Chef's Table at V&A, can you make foodie recommendations? Meaning, DH will eat/try anything. Me, not so much. I don't eat red meat and I hate seafood....so it's pretty much chicken for me.....which I'll eat any which way. Can you make note of stuff like that on the ressie? Just curious......I have a 10 year anniversary coming in 2011 and DH said in passing that doing Disney without DD sometime might be nice

 

[lilmrsellis]

Pardon my ignorance. What exactly is a chef's table (other than the obvious)?

 

[Calla]

Its a table set inside the kitchen, so you can observe and interact with the chef.

 

[NejTheLion]

Unless you're staying at the GF or another monorail resort, I would take a cab. You're going to be so stuffed at the end that you won't even feel like driving. You may not have enough brain power. Not to mention that if you've done the full wine pairing and had those two glasses of champagne to start, you may not be ABLE to drive!

Otherwise, enjoy!

 

[mcr5298]

Congratulations, you are going to love it!

My DH and I were lucky enough to eat at the Chef's Table back in April of this year. We were celebrating our 10 Year Anniversary, and our first trip without the kids! Like bbowers, I was not able to finish the final chocolate dessert. I couldn't even lift up the spoon at that point! But I am proud of how far I did get. There is soooooooooo much food. I suggest you just enjoy it and don't rush through it. They are not in any rush to get you out of there. So take a break in between courses and enjoy the company and the excitement of the kitchen. The head Chef, we were so lucky to have Chef Scott, will come and ask your likes and dislikes. Then prepare to be dazzled! I also felt like we were treated like royalty. And I also found the setting to be very romantic for me and my DH. It's totally different from the dining room. But since it was just the two of us, we didn't make too much noise. And the noise of the kitchen wasn't that loud. However, you could hear a pin drop on the dining room when we were escorted to the bathroom!

I am not a wine drinker, and my husband decided against the wine pairing. But I do hear that it is fabulous if you do choose it. It was an experience that I won't soon forget.

 

[kbmaggs]

I'm so excited for you!!!!! We dined at the Chef's Table in August '07. My best tips:
1. Eat a late breakfast and skip lunch that day.
2. When they bring you the wonderful bread before dinner take a bite and then make them take it away. It's sooooo good, but you must NOT fill your tummy with bread when about eleventy-four courses are on their way!
3. By all means, do the wine pairing, but don't feel obligated to drink all of each wine- you will get generous servings at each course.
4. Interact with the folks in the kitchen! We were kind of shy at first, but they really seemed to enjoy showing us what they were doing and talking to us about the food and the restaurant.
5. Wear something that has an expandable waist....... it's a whole lot of amazing food!!!

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

First of all, congratulations! This is an experience of a lifetime.

Also, we both did the wine pairings, even though I am not big on wine. I figured I would try it, just because (because I wanted to spend money like water, apparently). I would NOT do that again unless I really, really liked wine. I ended up only mildly enjoying one or two of my choices and it really wasn't worth it to me.

Our experience of the wine pairing was very different. While each dish was amazing on its own, they are put over the top by the perfect pairings. I have never in my whole life had wine so wonderfully paired. Besides that, you get to try some pretty amazing vintages. The sommaliers at V&A's was great and ours was very open to having conversations about these wines.

If you get lucky enought to snag the Chef's Table at V&A, can you make foodie recommendations? Meaning, DH will eat/try anything. Me, not so much. I don't eat red meat and I hate seafood....so it's pretty much chicken for me.....which I'll eat any which way. Can you make note of stuff like that on the ressie? Just curious......I have a 10 year anniversary coming in 2011 and DH said in passing that doing Disney without DD sometime might be nice

When we called to make the ressie, they asked us some basic questions about allergies and basic dislikes. Then, the day before our experience, someone from V & A's called our resort room to discuss things with us further. (We didn't have much to discuss because we wanted to leave things up to Chef Scott but they are very open to your preferences.) The meal is catered to the individual. So, absolutely do tell them any food dislikes or concerns you might have. I wouldn't limit myself too much, though, if I were you, because there's not to many chances in life you get to try some of these dishes prepared with that level of finesse.

Its a table set inside the kitchen, so you can observe and interact with the chef.

Oh but it's so much more than that. Like I said above, you get a menu designed especially for you. All the dishes are explained by sous chefs. You get super special treatment. (My DH even got a walking tour of the kitchen.) You have multiple staff devoted solely to you.

 

[dawgfan]

Here is a great tip. Take me with you. You can pay. I'll have a great time.

Lucky! Have a great time.

 

[breezy1077]

Here is a great tip. Take me with you. You can pay. I'll have a great time.

Lucky! Have a great time.

Oooo, me too, me too.

 

[Calla]

Oooo, me too, me too.

Table seats 8 I believe, and we are only 3, so, sure!