The Everything Victoria & Albert's Thread

[Uncleromulus]

BC1836: Interesting that when we originally began going to V&A in 1988, we never did the wine pairings (in fact, not sure they even did that way back then) but ordered a bottle off the extensive wine list. Even in those days Fess Parker was on the list and that's what we usually got.

 

[JenKatt]

I have to agree about Fess Parker. The wines are quite good (and I don't even like rieslings). When we went on the 17th, it was the regular wine pairings, although if the Fess Parker option was available, we probably would have taken it.

 

[TDC Nala]

V&A is one of a kind onsite, you probably wont' find anything that approximates it. You could try Shula's (beef aplenty) or Bluezoo at the Dolphin. They don't take the dining plan and may not be as family oriented.

I guess Bistro de Paris, but once everybody found out you can get a children's menu from Chefs de France it's kind of become a family place.

I am a fan of Jiko but I have local friends who won't go back there and they used to go all the time. I can't confirm their reports that it's slid because I haven't been there in awhile.

I like Fess Parker riesling, I'd drink it anywhere.

 

[ElizabethB]

Perhaps I should expound on the Fess Parker wines. We like them fine. We just expect something more unique and surprising when we dine at the Chef's Table.

We go back to the time when they first started doing the Chef's Table. There was no dining nook. And, our table was right next to the large sink (now moved) where the chef's would rinse their saute pans. In other words -- we really were in the kitchen.

At that time, they offered two different wine pairings -- one consisted of domestic wines. The other was termed the "Royal Wine Pairing" and was higher grade imported, generally Old World, wines.

One evening, dh and I each ordered the wine pairings. So that we could have what we thought would be more variety, DH ordered the "Royal Wine Pairing", which was more expensive, and I went with the domestic wines.

The waiter looked shocked and asked, "Why would you ever pick the domestic wine pairing?" I said I didn't know, took his advice and changed to the Royal Wine Pairing as well. We both received different wines and they were all imports, no domestics.

I guess that set a preference for us when dining at the Chef's Table. Putting aside an Opus One, we generally prefer Old World imports.

Just us and our preference. Nothing against Fess Parker wines per se.

 

[JenKatt]

Perhaps I should expound on the Fess Parker wines. We like them fine. We just expect something more unique and surprising when we dine at the Chef's Table.

We go back to the time when they first started doing the Chef's Table. There was no dining nook. And, our table was right next to the large sink (now moved) where the chef's would rinse their saute pans. In other words -- we really were in the kitchen.

At that time, they offered two different wine pairings -- one consisted of domestic wines. The other was termed the "Royal Wine Pairing" and was higher grade imported, generally Old World, wines.

One evening, dh and I each ordered the wine pairings. So that we could have what we thought would be more variety, DH ordered the "Royal Wine Pairing", which was more expensive, and I went with the domestic wines.

The waiter looked shocked and asked, "Why would you ever pick the domestic wine pairing?" I said I didn't know, took his advice and changed to the Royal Wine Pairing as well. We both received different wines and they were all imports, no domestics.

I guess that set a preference for us when dining at the Chef's Table. Putting aside an Opus One, we generally prefer Old World imports.

Just us and our preference. Nothing against Fess Parker wines per se.

I very much disagree. Fess Parker isn't a typical wine, at least (ironically) in Florida. In order to find the Reisling for my Mom, we had to search 7 different wine shops in Tampa, including some gigantic warehouse shops.
While I normally prefer the "old world" wines, my current favorite wine is Matchbook Tinto Rey, an very hard wine to find and certainly not typical and definitely a domestic wine. The beautiful thing about places like V&A is they take typical or common and make it extraordinary.

 

[ElizabethB]

Yes, V&A is wonderful.

But, I would not expect them to turn water into wine!

Nor would I expect them to take a common mid-market California wine and turn it into something extraordinary.

When we stay GF RPC and are served a Fess Parker wine in the lounge, it's nice and we enjoy it. But, Fess Parker Riesling sells for $13 a bottle.

I expect higher quality and more expensive wines for my $70 wine pairing. If the waiter came to our Chef's Table with Fess Parker wines, we'd be disappointed.

However, I hope Israel is taking notes because inexpensive wines obviously please many V&A patrons.

 

[JenKatt]

Yes, V&A is wonderful.

But, I would not expect them to turn water into wine!

Nor would I expect them to take a common mid-market California wine and turn it into something extraordinary.

When we stay GF RPC and are served a Fess Parker wine in the lounge, it's nice and we enjoy it. But, Fess Parker Riesling sells for $13 a bottle.

I expect higher quality and more expensive wines for my $70 wine pairing. If the waiter came to our Chef's Table with Fess Parker wines, we'd be disappointed.

However, I hope Israel is taking notes because inexpensive wines obviously please many V&A patrons.

Sorry GOOD wines please many.

 

[TDC Nala]

OK you two. This is now off topic.

 

[Tara]

I haven't seen this mentioned, but when I called the V&A line a few weeks back to ask some questions, they told me they have a new website. http://www.victoria-alberts.com/

I did notice that the menu listed has several alterations from the one I experienced in late March.

 

[ReggieB]

I haven't seen this mentioned, but when I called the V&A line a few weeks back to ask some questions, they told me they have a new website. http://www.victoria-alberts.com/

I did notice that the menu listed has several alterations from the one I experienced in late March.

The menu changes regularly in that it tries to be as seasonal as possible. So if you go the same time every year things look similar. However, I've never had any course exactly the same twice, I've had different presentations of things, but never exactly the same.

 

[hoosiercruiser]

We returned this last Friday from WDW and had dinner at Victoria and Alberts on Wednesday night. It was fabulous. Our bill was not cheap, but so worth it. I have to share that my husband could not decide on a dessert, so guess what he did. He ordered all six desserts. And yes after all that food. Our servers, said no problem and sure enough each dessert was delivered by a server at one time, laided it down on the table at one time and I was completely embarrassed - but they all loved that he did that. He ate all six desserts. And of course I helped, after I was no longer red in the face. We got a tour of the kitchen and were able to say our thank you to the chef. It was a great dining experience and would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[disney minnie]

has the menu changed? we are going on Saturday for my 40th birthday!!!

 

[princessallegra]

We returned this last Friday from WDW and had dinner at Victoria and Alberts on Wednesday night. It was fabulous. Our bill was not cheap, but so worth it. I have to share that my husband could not decide on a dessert, so guess what he did. He ordered all six desserts. And yes after all that food. Our servers, said no problem and sure enough each dessert was delivered by a server at one time, laided it down on the table at one time and I was completely embarrassed - but they all loved that he did that. He ate all six desserts. And of course I helped, after I was no longer red in the face. We got a tour of the kitchen and were able to say our thank you to the chef. It was a great dining experience and would do it again in a heartbeat.

This is a great story!!! They must have LOVED that!!!!!! We've had the pleasure of dining there twice (once Chef's Table) and it's just the best place on property. So glad you had a great time!!

 

[hoosiercruiser]

has the menu changed? we are going on Saturday for my 40th birthday!!!

No, not really. They had a few seasonal add-ons, which were really good. But it was the basic menu from their website.

 

[hoosiercruiser]

This is a great story!!! They must have LOVED that!!!!!! We've had the pleasure of dining there twice (once Chef's Table) and it's just the best place on property. So glad you had a great time!!

Thanks. It was lots of fun.

 

[engle]

Wow. All of the desserts.Did they charge you extra for that??

 

[hoosiercruiser]

Wow. All of the desserts.Did they charge you extra for that??

Yes, of course. But my DH didn't care. He's just that kind of guys, it was fun to do. And he eat every single one of them. Like I said our bill was not cheap even by Victoria & Alberts standards.

 

[Poppinsme]

We returned this last Friday from WDW and had dinner at Victoria and Alberts on Wednesday night. It was fabulous. Our bill was not cheap, but so worth it. I have to share that my husband could not decide on a dessert, so guess what he did. He ordered all six desserts. And yes after all that food. Our servers, said no problem and sure enough each dessert was delivered by a server at one time, laided it down on the table at one time and I was completely embarrassed - but they all loved that he did that. He ate all six desserts. And of course I helped, after I was no longer red in the face. We got a tour of the kitchen and were able to say our thank you to the chef. It was a great dining experience and would do it again in a heartbeat.

I love this!!! What fun you had and an amazing experience.

 

[Poppinsme]

Question. Can you get a special dessert made? Such as a Croquembouche? For our 35th Wedding Anniversary.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Master Pastry Chef Erich Herbitschek lovers challanges! Just request it in advance and it will show up. Of course, it will cost extra.