Parks? What Parks? We're Here for the FOOD!**PICS!** COMPLETE!

[kabuki]

First, why would I pay the kind of money I paid at V&A's to eat chicken

LOVE THIS!!! I hear you!

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

But you didn't end up in the men's room by mistake, did you?

No... not at V&A's... but I HAVE done that before...

First, why would I pay the kind of money I paid at V&A's to eat chicken

LOVE THIS!!! I hear you!

Chicken -- the other BORING meat. Elk -- That's what I came here for...
I could almost hear the chef - NO ELK FOR YOU!!!

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

Earlier in the evening, I was escorted to the restroom (well out thru the kitchen) by Sal (our Albert).

No Mishaps insued. At that point I had only had a little to drink and water so I had all my faculties about me.

Now, I know I mentioned this already, but I am NOT a heavy drinker. I rarely drink and when I do, I keep it to 1 or 2 in an entire evening. At this point, I have just consumed my 5th glass of wine/champagne. I was feeling loopy (buzzed) and I got the distinct feeling that I needed to use the restroom again.


Our Victoria (Nancy) came in the room and I asked her to escort me out so I could use the ladies room. I was embarassed to have to ask to go again. I made a point to say to her that it was my second trip to the restroom.

I could see her face change and she looked at me funny as I walked out of the kitchen and into the main dining room.

While I was in the restroom, I was finishing up, and my bracelet got caught in my underwear. I couldn't turn my hand around to get it undone and my left hand couldn't do it alone... It took me a couple of minutes to work the bracelet out (I was a little impaired) and I finally made my way back to our table.

When I got back, Thomas had the biggest grin on his face and was almost at the point of laughing at me....

Apparently, when Nancy came back, she told Thomas that I had said "This is Number 2" to Nancy and she thought I was telling her I need to GO number 2... Not that this was my 2nd trip to the ladies room.

When I told him the bracelet story and it combined with the Number 2 story, I didn't think he'd be able to keep a straight face the rest of the night.

Oh, and I stopped drinking.

 

[oybolshoi]

Too funny! Thank goodness you and your DH enjoy a little bathroom humor now and then!

 

[MOTHERGOOSE3]

Earlier in the evening, I was escorted to the restroom (well out thru the kitchen) by Sal (our Albert).

No Mishaps insued. At that point I had only had a little to drink and water so I had all my faculties about me.

Now, I know I mentioned this already, but I am NOT a heavy drinker. I rarely drink and when I do, I keep it to 1 or 2 in an entire evening. At this point, I have just consumed my 5th glass of wine/champagne. I was feeling loopy (buzzed) and I got the distinct feeling that I needed to use the restroom again.


Our Victoria (Nancy) came in the room and I asked her to escort me out so I could use the ladies room. I was embarassed to have to ask to go again. I made a point to say to her that it was my second trip to the restroom.

I could see her face change and she looked at me funny as I walked out of the kitchen and into the main dining room.

While I was in the restroom, I was finishing up, and my bracelet got caught in my underwear. I couldn't turn my hand around to get it undone and my left hand couldn't do it alone... It took me a couple of minutes to work the bracelet out (I was a little impaired) and I finally made my way back to our table.

When I got back, Thomas had the biggest grin on his face and was almost at the point of laughing at me....

Apparently, when Nancy came back, she told Thomas that I had said "This is Number 2" to Nancy and she thought I was telling her I need to GO number 2... Not that this was my 2nd trip to the ladies room.

When I told him the bracelet story and it combined with the Number 2 story, I didn't think he'd be able to keep a straight face the rest of the night.

Oh, and I stopped drinking.

I have tears streaming down my face I'm laughing so hard

 

[jeminni]

OMG that bathroom story is hilarious

 

[my3disneygirls]

That is hilarious!

 

[TigerKat]

Too funny!!!!!

 

[davinakb]

Okay. To be honest.... I hated this dish. It was bland, chewy, dry, plain, boring, icky and ewww. Maybe much of this review comes from the fact (again) that I don't like mushrooms.

We had this dish when we were there and also found it the dud of the evening. I realize subtle flavors is part of the whole haute cuisine thing, but ..no. Chicken (I can deal with it at V&A) can be enhanced so many ways, and this was just so blah. BTW I like mushrooms, and even they had almost no taste. Wasted opportunity to dazzle with something ordinary.

The elk looked interesting, we did not have that. Also had a similar fish course. Will check back for your updates, curious about dessert.

 

[Briarmom]

That is hilarious!

Great reviews as well!

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

Pan Roasted Foie Gras with Fuji Apples and Mostarda di Cremona
Royal Tokaji Azsu 5 Puttonyos, Mad Tokaj-Hagyalja 2000

Foie Gras is actually liver from force fed ducks. The extra food is deposited as fat in the liver and a very buttery and rich. It is considered a delicacy by many. It was sitting atop the Fuji Apples that were sliced thinly and sautéed. Finally, the mostarada di Cremona is a fruit preserve spiced with mustard essential oils. It is an Italian dessert item and served as the sauce for this dish.



The foie gras was so creamy and melted in your mouth. It was pan seared and it had an almost caramelized taste and texture on the outside. The apples were slightly firm and contrasted nicely with the smoothness of the foie gras. It was all sitting atop a pastry then topped with the mostarda di Cremona sauce. The sauce was slightly sweet, but not overpowering. The flavors complemented each other so well. Neither Thomas nor I had ever had duck liver in any form before this. We were both surprised to find it to our liking.



This wine is a dessert wine from Hungary in an area called Tokaj. It is a complicated wine to produce (and to understand). This wine was VERY sweet. As I have stated, I am not a fan of very sweet wines so I was NOT excited about this wine. Also, as I previously mentioned, I was not drinking anymore. They could’ve brought me all the red wine I could drink and I still don’t think I would have had more than a sip or two… The pairing made perfect sense to me. The slightly sweet dessert like quality of this dish, paired with the sweet wine… I get it… But personally, I would have preferred something dryer… Or non-alcoholic.

The food portion of this dish ended up being Thomas’ most memorable course of the evening. He is not a fan of liver, but living up to his end of the “try anything” deal we made – he tried it with an open mind. He was the most pleased that he A.) tried it and B.) found this dish to his liking. He has said that he would like to try foie gras again – but only if it prepared with the kind of care and attention to detail that you find in a restaurant like V&A’s.

This was definitely in our top 3 favorites of the evening.

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

Too funny! Thank goodness you and your DH enjoy a little bathroom humor now and then!

Thanks. Just don't think of ONLY that story everytime you see my avatar...

I have tears streaming down my face I'm laughing so hard

Glad I could amuse you with my little story... This is why alcohol is for adults only...

OMG that bathroom story is hilarious

That is hilarious!

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed.

Too funny!!!!!

Again. Thanks, but it is still SOOOO embarassing.

That is hilarious!

Great reviews as well!

Its only funny when it happens to someone other than YOU!!!
Thanks for reading!

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

So glad to hear that I was not the only one who was less than impressed with this dish. Yes, I also realize subtlety is the key, but I also agree that this dish was a wasted opportunity to dazzle. Chicken is a pedestrian meat... It's everywhere. I expected to see something AMAZING from V&A's if they chose to use it. This was NOT amazing.

Thomas ate some of this also and agreed it was bland and boring. I think he'd be willing to admit HONESTLY how terrible it was, but... he got the elk and I don't think he wants to rub it in.

Maybe my palette isn't sensitive enough to appreciate this nuances (sp?) of this dish, but I've had chicken dishes from local 2 star restaurants that I would order off a menu before I ate this dish again.

Thanks for reading... Still waiting for your thougths on the chef's table!!

Janis

We had this dish when we were there and also found it the dud of the evening. I realize subtle flavors is part of the whole haute cuisine thing, but ..no. Chicken (I can deal with it at V&A) can be enhanced so many ways, and this was just so blah. BTW I like mushrooms, and even they had almost no taste. Wasted opportunity to dazzle with something ordinary.

The elk looked interesting, we did not have that. Also had a similar fish course. Will check back for your updates, curious about dessert.

 

[HeidiGW]

I have absolutely loved your report thus far!!!! The pics are great, too.
I have to laugh at your title...it is us to a T...even our three daughters (17, 9, 7) think WDW is all about the food. Princesses, shows and rides are great, but where are we going to eat?
I've decided, based on your review, that I'm not adult enough to eat at the chef's table. Kind of sad. I am an adventurous eater, but I would have been hungry and drunk as your date.
(FYI--Your review has been the best, with most detail and usable information that I've seen on the boards.

 

[wilma-bride]

Oh My, I can't believe your potty behaviour

Glad you enjoyed the Foie Gras - I always thought it came from geese, which just goes to show, I think, that I know very little about food and therefore am not qualified to say much more than - mmmmm, sounds yummy

 

[D&R love Disney]

I'm picturing you coming back from the bathroom and talking with your DH

Great description of the foie gras, makes me almost want to try it.

 

[shovan]

I know I've come on late in the game here, but I had to say how much I'm enjoying your review!

Great descriptions, wonderful pictures & funny potty humor too!!!! You can't beat that!

One of these days I'm just going to book V&A's Chef Table & not tell my poor DH until it's time to go! The dear man loves to vacation, loves to eat fine food & drink good wine, but I just can't get him to open up his wallet for this one.

Really sorry to hear they didn't inquire about your wine preferences! I'm with you on the whites, especially Chablis. I have yet to find a Chablis I felt was worth dirtying a wine glass for! ( Sorry if I've offended any Chablis lovers out there, I'm sure there are many good Chablis out there, they are just not to my taste.) I agree that most taste exactly as you described! As if the bottle was watered down.

So far this is my only way to cope with DD. Reading wonderful dining reviews like your's!

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

Course 7 – Main Course – Tasting of Japanese Wagyu Beef Tenderloin and Strip with Oxtail Jus


Wine pairing – Chateau d’Armailhac, Pauillac 2004



This course was delivered to us and explained to us by the assistant chef, Thomas (not to be confused with Dh, Thomas).



This course was 3 different tastings of Wagyu Beef – a type of Japanese beef predisposed to intense marbling. Also known as Kobe-style beef, the meat from Wagyu cattle is known for its marbling, increased eating quality through a naturally enhanced flavor, tenderness and juiciness. These cows are fed a special diet and beer & sake – (oh, to be a Wagyu cow…) to increase chance of super-marbled meat.



The first offering was a Wagyu beef tenderloin served with a jus. The second was a beef strip also served with the same jus (the sauce is between the two cuts of meat). This meat was succulent, tender, and so flavorful; I could hardly believe that this meat was the same type we eat in hamburgers. It is like comparing fish sticks to a perfectly cooked tuna steak. Yeah, they’re both fish, but that’s where the comparison ends… This beef was unlike any other I have ever tasted. It was not even necessary to chew. The meat jumped between my teeth and moved around – it was amazing!

The third offering was an oxtail of Wagyu beef served with mashed cheesy potatoes. I can’t remember the exacts (and it wasn’t on the menu). This was good, but I knew what was coming up next…. I didn’t want to waste precious stomach space with tubers. They were fantastic and matched the beef so well, but I can make cheese potatoes… I CAN’T make the things to come.







Oh, there were some vegetables, too...


The wine pairing here was good. It was a red (YIPEE!) Cabernet Sauvignon from France. This wine was very earthy and had a decent amount of tannins. We enjoyed it, but I didn’t drink the whole glass. Nor was I tempted to. It was good, not great.

Overall, we REALLY enjoyed this course. It made up for the little chicken incident (that will never again be spoken about ) from a few courses ago! This is why we came to V&A’s – this type of special food is something I cannot get anywhere at home – and if I could I could NEVER justify it in “real life.”

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

I have absolutely loved your report thus far!!!! The pics are great, too.
I have to laugh at your title...it is us to a T...even our three daughters (17, 9, 7) think WDW is all about the food. Princesses, shows and rides are great, but where are we going to eat?
I've decided, based on your review, that I'm not adult enough to eat at the chef's table. Kind of sad. I am an adventurous eater, but I would have been hungry and drunk as your date.
(FYI--Your review has been the best, with most detail and usable information that I've seen on the boards.

This trip really was about the food... DH and I ate to our heart's content and loved every minute of it. I think you'd be surprised with yourself at V&A's - the food is soooooo good, you can almost forget what it is... As far as the drunk part... We would have both been in bad shape!!!

Thanks for the compliment... LOTS more to come!! (if i can ever get thru the chef's table!!)

Oh My, I can't believe your potty behaviour

Glad you enjoyed the Foie Gras - I always thought it came from geese, which just goes to show, I think, that I know very little about food and therefore am not qualified to say much more than - mmmmm, sounds yummy

Goose, duck... What's the difference??? Seriously, I can't remember which he said... It might very well be goose... Proves what I know.

I'm picturing you coming back from the bathroom and talking with your DH

Great description of the foie gras, makes me almost want to try it.

That conversation was pretty funny... Good thing he loves me... I guess i have to keep him now...

We really did like the liver... Big surprise, because it's not a food we eat... ever.

I know I've come on late in the game here, but I had to say how much I'm enjoying your review!

Great descriptions, wonderful pictures & funny potty humor too!!!! You can't beat that!

One of these days I'm just going to book V&A's Chef Table & not tell my poor DH until it's time to go! The dear man loves to vacation, loves to eat fine food & drink good wine, but I just can't get him to open up his wallet for this one.

Really sorry to hear they didn't inquire about your wine preferences! I'm with you on the whites, especially Chablis. I have yet to find a Chablis I felt was worth dirtying a wine glass for! ( Sorry if I've offended any Chablis lovers out there, I'm sure there are many good Chablis out there, they are just not to my taste.) I agree that most taste exactly as you described! As if the bottle was watered down.

So far this is my only way to cope with DD. Reading wonderful dining reviews like your's!

WELCOME!! We don't issue Tardies, here!

Tell your husband, that my husband, an avid outdoorsman and manly man enjoyed it a BUNCH, so he would enjoy it, too!... Don't tell him what it costs and you grab the check. He'll love it and NEVER know!!!

Your description of Chablis was right up my alley. You can stay!

Glad you are liking my review... MUCH more to come.

 

[1andrea]

Great reviews cant wait to read more!

V&As looks really POSH and EXPENSIVE!

How much does it cost???