Silly to turn down the V&A Chef's Table?

[olive]

We have been on the waiting list for months for the Chef's Table at V&A for our trip next month. We have eaten at the restaurant (in the main dining room) twice, or really one and a half times, as I was super sick on our last trip and had to leave a couple of courses in. The ER was way less tasty than the food at V&A, of course. Having basically ruined my last opportunity to enjoy the restaurant, we are very much looking forward to our upcoming visit. We are doing a split stay and have a "regular" table reserved for the portion of our trip that will be spent at the Poly. I thought it would be nice to walk to dinner and back. We are staying at the Dolphin in the beginning of the trip, and have Flying Fish booked while we are there. I just got a call that the Chef's Table is now open for one of the nights when we will be at the Dolphin - the night before our Flying Fish reservation. Obviously we can't walk to V&A from there, so that is out I think the Chef's Table sounds great, but now that I have to make a decision - and quickly! - I am worried that we won't enjoy it as much. Am I being silly? I know the main dining room is more romantic, but we love food and cooking, and I thought this would be special and different. Are there any "extras" that I should keep in mind when weighing the Chef's Table versus the main dining room? Thanks in advance!

 

[SarahInMN]

Olive-

Definitely take the Chef's Table! We had a fabulous experience several years ago! The food and wine are of course excellent (and extra courses at the Chef's Table) but what we really loved was the interaction with the chef and sommelier. It was super fun to sit and watch them in the kitchen!

Regarding being at the Dolpin, just cab it to the Grand Floridian. We have cabbed it, for example, from the GF to Jikos and from BW to Citricos. Them cab ride is quick, stress free, and costs around 15 dollars.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[olive]

Thanks for the feedback, Sarah!

Another wrinkle! Somehow I didn't even know about the Queen Victoria dining room. Now there are three choices!

 

[Ted C]

Don't even think twice, done it 7-times, best meal of your life

 

[BriarRosie]

I wouldn't turn down the Chef's Table for Flying Fish.

And I like Flying Fish. I just would want Chef's Table more if I can get it. I guess the Queen Victoria Room is supposed to be similar in scope, but the Chef's Table is private. The atmosphere won't be romantic, but it is a cool experience if you can book it.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I have done CT four times. My late wife, who was a gourmet cook, said her two visits there were the best cooking lessons she ever had.

Here is a copy of the menu from my last visit. With the personalized menus, it shows what I had actually received.

 

[nickymaria]

I also say take the Chef's Table! Who knows if/when you'll have another opportunity to try it. And if you feel very strongly about walking you can always walk through Epcot and take the monorail! (that's kind of like walking from Poly, isn't it?)

 

[olive]

Still mulling it over. I have until closer to 5 Eastern to let them know. This is a hard decision! It will hard to beat Per Se or Eleven Madison Park for favorite meal, but I am willing to try. My husband isn't sold just yet. I guess it's a nice decision to have to make. Just not sure if we will have the opportunity to choose down the line. I know this is a tough reservation.

 

[KCSherri]

Hubby and I did the Chef's Table a year ago - and we still talk about it.

It was fantastic....a true "once-in-a-lifetime" event...and now, to be able to say, "Oh, why YES. Yes we have. Yes, we've eaten at the Chef's Table at V&A's."

Priceless.

I blogged about it here: http://sherrirodell.blogspot.com/2010/03/be-my-guest.html, and included pictures of the food.

 

[olive]

So I did it! We will have the pleasure of dining at the Chef's Table at the end of next month. There was actually a mistake in the message left yesterday - the opening was for when we are already at the Polynesian, so our romantic walk over and back will be intact. Otherwise, we were just going to walk through Epcot looking somewhat overdressed! Thanks for the support. Maybe next trip we will try for Queen Victoria.

 

[KCSherri]

I think you'll enjoy your experience! Be sure to come back and post a review!

 

[deej696]

Great news Olive! We have dined twice at V&A and have resolved our next visit to be at the Chefs Table. I was going to suggest a cab, as that's what we did as we were at the Waldorf, but glad it worked out so well!

Enjoy!

 

[nicoleakr]

good for you looking forward to a review when you get back