MY review of Victoria & Alberts

[princess angel]

this was our 4th time dining at V&A's... and it was amazing! as always, but maybe extra amazing this time! everything was perfect!!!!
we were sat at a table in the middle section of the dining room, and it is just gorgeous there, the huge arrangement of flowers, the gorgeous ceiling! yes, ceiling!!!

we did the wine pairing, and I was very happy to see that they still start you off with the 1997 Iron Horse "Fairy Tale Cuvee", this is my favorite!

DH and I ordered the same exact courses, so this reveiw will be easy!

we started with:
a little appetizer that was not on the menu, a "complimentary" gift from the chef Scott Hunnel, who need not go unnoticed! koudos to Scott!
this was a shrimp, with... I forgot, but oh sooo good!!!

course 1:
smoked buffalo with mango, hearts of palm and grains of paradise...did someone say paradise, cause I could swear that's where I was!

course 2:
Diver scallop with California crayfish and English pea foam.... I dont even like scallops, and well, I certainly like 'em at V&A's!!!

course 3:
gamebird consomme' with pearl vegetables... any way you slice it, it's just chicken broth, but somehow it seemed to tast like a million dollar chicken broth ...

course 4: main course:
grilled prime filet with sweet onion puree and burgandy reduction.... OMG, this was by far, (and I have had some excellent filets) the BEST filet mignon I have ever had! whoaa, absolutley incredible, could not have possibly been more tender, or succulent, and the onion puree and burgandy reduction were just incredible!!!! (Dh agrees wholeheartedly)!!

course 5:
colston bassett stilton with black mission fiigs.... in English now..., cheese and fruit ! lol, it was 3 different cheeses, one was like a blue cheese, but such a creamy texture, omg, this was just amazing (did I say that already..??)

course 6:
dessert!!!!! Hawaiin Kona souffle.... need I explain this..? well, maybe, ok, it was the most decadent, creamy, yet subtle, and oh so chocolately souffle, if I didnt eat so much, and drink so much......already, I would have licked the bowl... no really, I ate a little over half of mine, it was sooo very scrumptious!


notes:
our first time at V&A's was in 1998, since then we have been in Nov. 2001, and November 2002 being our most recent til this time!
each time it was awesome, maybe getting better and better, it is perfect! A truly wonderful way to celebrate a special occassion, or just being in Love! or...just an awesome meal!!!!!

Our "Albert", was Fred, for those of you who are V&A regulars, you may know Fred, he has been there for a very long time, he is the elderly man with white hair, well you will be dissappointed to know that he is now retired! We caught him on his last week! too bad, he was a wonderful "Albert"!
Fred is on to new ventures from here though, be happy for him!

the wine pairing was superb, all the wine selections were delicious and well complimented the courses. We do not like port wine, so with the cheese course.. they allowed us to have more of the Fairy Tale Cuvee we like so much Our Victoria kept filling our glasses.... so we left, full, happy, and with another extraordinary dining experience to remember with a smile!!

lucky me... we usually only go to V&A's once a year, because we want to keep it a special thing, but this last time was "an extra" for my birthday,, and since our "traditional" time of year to go to V&A's is during our Thanksgiving trip for 2 weeks in November/December, I get to go again, in just 3 months!!! yay, I am so excited!

for those who are ready to ask... the cost was $287.55 before tip, and $347.55 with tip ! was it worth every red cent...YES !!

Laura

 

[CJK]

WOW!!! It sounds like you had an unbelievably wonderful experience! Thanks for the detailed descriptions. I'd LOVE to go sometime. It just hurts with the Canadian/US exchange rate. Maybe we could go on our silver anniversary so I've got 20yrs to talk dh into it! Lucky you get to go again in 3 months! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[califred]

Im so glad you posted this my IN laws are taking us to DW in March and for Christmas and their 35th Anniversary (well and a thank you ) we want to try treat the two of them to a night at the Chef's Table during our stay.

I know they'd love it, now just to get my FIL in a suit jacket .

 

[erikthewise]

Laura,

I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!! As I'll probably never go (DW doesn't care for places that "fancy"), I'll have to "eat vicariously" through reviews.

The bleu-type cheese was the Stilton; I was introduced to it in England many years ago. A traditional dish at formal dining establishments in Britain.

 

[princess angel]

well erikthewise, your wallet lucked out that your wife isnt into fancy...however, it sure is wonderful !
looks like e'll be at WDW the same time this year, and neighbors too! We'll be at the YC from Nov 22 - Dec 8th, what day are you arriving at the BCV ?

cjk, too bad about hte exchange rate, atleast you get to come to WDW though!!!! there is always a bright side!

califred, let your FIL wear dockers and a collar shirt, carry the jacket adn have him put it on right when you get there...and beware.. they want you to keep the jacket on the entire time you are sitting there!


Laura

 

[swankybeth]

Sounds wonderful! I'd love to go back to V & A, but it's such a pain to take "fancy" clothes to WDW.

 

[princess angel]

swankybeth, I agree about the clothes, dh suit takes up so much room in the suitcase it's ridiculous, plus it means 2 extra pairs of shoes too, but we do it once a year (twice this year..but that's the exception)

Laura

 

[gatour]

Is V & A always "completely" booked? The reason I ask, is that V & A menu is the most changing on a day to day basis. While my wife is not a particulary picky eater, there are some things that she not fond of. Looking at the menus from previous diner's experiences, she could like the entire menu or dislike 3/4 of the menu items.

If possible, I was thinking of dining alone at V&A on a "escape from reality" trip.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Enjoyed the review!!
Swankybeth and princess angel:
Know what you mean about the extra clothes. But you can dress for V&A in a way that minimizes that problem. We used to go with me in a suit and Mrs. U in a nice dress, heels, etc. Now, it's our wash and wear things--her in a nice lightweight pants suit and flats, me in tan slacks and wash n'wear blue sportcoat.
gatour:
No, V&A is not always completely booked. Most times we've eaten there (during the first seating) there seems to be one or more tables empty. It is even less crowded at the later (9:00PM ) seating. And you are right-she may wind up not liking much on the menu, and no real way to know much in advance what the menu will be the nite you go. But in checking my past library of menus, I find that some form of Filet Mignon, or beef tenderloin, has always been a menu item. Prepared in different ways (like that excellent offering Princess angel just described), but still fine quality beef.

 

[princess angel]

Hey there Uncle.. thanks for the tips on easy dressing for V&A's, if anything it would eliminate the extra slacks for dh, he always brings tan slacks with him anyway! My clothes dont take up too much room, it's really dh 's stuff!!

you're right in regards to the menu, there has been a filet mignon on the menu every time we have been there in the last 5 years, dh has gotten it every time!
this was the first time I ordered the filet, usually I go for the more advenuturous entrees, but this time I felt like a great piece of meat, and boy did I get it!!!
They also had a Salmon, Duck, and crab w/chicken, of course all prepared very exotically...

My thoughts are... I have eaten things at V&A's that I normally dont even like, example is the scallop appetizer, I do not like scallops, but I ordered it because I know the way V&A's had surprised me in the past, I have yet to eat anything there that wasnt absolutley delicious!!!!! no matter what I have ordered or tried, just exquisite! or....yummy!!!

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We had the most magical night there a few years ago on our 10th anniversary. It was the best meal by far that we have ever had, and the memories are for a lifetime.