The Everything Victoria & Albert's Thread

[Debbie Jean]

DD (25) and I will be 1st timers at V & A in October for her birthday

I have a couple of questions...

Neither of us drink alcohol... will there be any "virgin" options that we can have for a celebratory toast?

I'm a diabetic... booked online but will call to let them know before we go... any other diabetics eaten here and how did you find it?

TIA

We are so excited!

 

[katydyd]

Was just in the QVR on 8/9 with DS. First off, it was absolutely amazing. Really a "knock your socks off" experience. We were celebrating DS's 18th birthday, so I was the only one having alcohol that evening. I really wanted to do the wine pairing so I could experience the matching with the food flavors, and had budgeted for it. However, after the first pour of champagne with the amusee bouche, I politely told our server that while I appreciated the genorosity of the pour, could she keep them more modest so I could manage to get the two of us back to the Contemporary without making my son carry me. She laughed and said "no problem."

After that she kept the pours to maybe two ounces, which were perfect for me. Just enough to sip with each course but nothing leftover by the time I was finished eating that course.

While it was probably not the best choice, financially, having the pairing was really important to me. So, if you really want to do it, don't hesitate to request that your server adjust the amount that they are giving you.

 

[chell]

Our reservation window opens up this week and I am crossing my fingers we can get the Chef's Table. I've tried for several years now. If we don't we will book the QVR instead.

 

[NewCruiser2011]

Regarding wine pairings at V&A - the first/only time we've dined there this past summer we included the WP's. I was shocked by how generous the pours were with each course. They did not hold back - we each definitely had more than the equivalent of 1 bottle each.

I had to slow them down and flag a few options off -- committing the unthinkable sin of continuing a wine from a previous course into the next.

At the end of the eve, (after we drank down 2 pots of coffee so we could leave the GF without feeling embarrassed), I asked one of our two fabulous servers how anyone could properly drive post wine-pairings. She discretely rolled her eyes and said with a smirk, "I don't like to think about that!"

Great service, superb ambience and in comparison with other high-end, multi course tastings I've experiences elsewhere, I'd give the overall experience an 8 out of 10. The food was solid, sometimes superb, but not always on level with the pricing point.

Still, I would recommend V&A for a special experience. But next time we wont do the pairings! (And trust me, I'm no light weight!)

 

[Pinky166]

Ok I have a question, I was thinking of doing the wine pairing when we dine at V&A next month....however I don't like red wine, is it still worth it? Will they be able to pair white wines to all the courses or shall I just stick to ordering a few glasses of white.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Ok I have a question, I was thinking of doing the wine pairing when we dine at V&A next month....however I don't like red wine, is it still worth it? Will they be able to pair white wines to all the courses or shall I just stick to ordering a few glasses of white.

Thanks in advance.

When you get there, talk to Israel, the Maitre'D. He is one level away from Master Sommelier and an absolute expert. Once you have decided on your foods for each course, he can work with you for either a pairing or for specific glasses to handle multiple courses.

 

[Pinky166]

When you get there, talk to Israel, the Maitre'D. He is one level away from Master Sommelier and an absolute expert. Once you have decided on your foods for each course, he can work with you for either a pairing or for specific glasses to handle multiple courses.

Thats sounds perfect, I will speak to Israel. Thanks.

 

[TwoIfBySea]

I wish they'd offer a 1-oz minipour pairing. I think I could manage 1 oz of each of 5 or 6 wines; that's basically a glass or so. And if, as I've heard, the courses are on the small side, maybe it's even the right amount?

Regardless, I will enjoy this meal!

 

[JenKatt]

Ok I have a question, I was thinking of doing the wine pairing when we dine at V&A next month....however I don't like red wine, is it still worth it? Will they be able to pair white wines to all the courses or shall I just stick to ordering a few glasses of white.

Thanks in advance.

They will pair white wines for you instead of a mix. My mom can't drink red but had a full pairing of just whites.

 

[cdtommie]

Regarding wine pairings at V&A - the first/only time we've dined there this past summer we included the WP's. I was shocked by how generous the pours were with each course. They did not hold back - we each definitely had more than the equivalent of 1 bottle each.

I had to slow them down and flag a few options off -- committing the unthinkable sin of continuing a wine from a previous course into the next.

At the end of the eve, (after we drank down 2 pots of coffee so we could leave the GF without feeling embarrassed), I asked one of our two fabulous servers how anyone could properly drive post wine-pairings. She discretely rolled her eyes and said with a smirk, "I don't like to think about that!" )

We've been to V&A's a few times and never felt the wine pairings were too much - guess it just depends on how much you are used to drinking...with our friends a couple of years ago we stopped at Miizner's first, ordered a bottle of wine at V&A's before dinner and all four of us also did the pairings. A good test for us will be the Chef's table pairings in October...but I'm the type of guy who was drinking Belgian Quad ales during the Hurricane blackout yesterday (still no power)

 

[coopersmom]

Ok I have a question, I was thinking of doing the wine pairing when we dine at V&A next month....however I don't like red wine, is it still worth it? Will they be able to pair white wines to all the courses or shall I just stick to ordering a few glasses of white.

Thanks in advance.

We are the opposite, only drink red. They were happy to do an all-red wine pairing for us when we visited the main dining room last December and I'm going to ask them to do it again for our visit next month.

 

[JenKatt]

We've been to V&A's a few times and never felt the wine pairings were too much - guess it just depends on how much you are used to drinking...with our friends a couple of years ago we stopped at Miizner's first, ordered a bottle of wine at V&A's before dinner and all four of us also did the pairings. A good test for us will be the Chef's table pairings in October...but I'm the type of guy who was drinking Belgian Quad ales during the Hurricane blackout yesterday (still no power)

The pairings in the main dining room are easier to do since there are less courses. In the QVR and the CT, it's a different story. Now I've never felt overwhelmed by the wine (of course I was absolutely giddy by the time we were done) but I can see how a lot of people are overwhelmed by the amount of wine. For me, its a once a year (now every couple of years) opportunity to try some amazing wines I would never have otherwise.

 

[Pinky166]

They will pair white wines for you instead of a mix. My mom can't drink red but had a full pairing of just whites.

We are the opposite, only drink red. They were happy to do an all-red wine pairing for us when we visited the main dining room last December and I'm going to ask them to do it again for our visit next month.

Thanks that is good to know.

 

[Lehuaann]

Will I look ridiculous in a pair of 2-3" stilettos at V&A?

TIA

 

[jedijill]

Will I look ridiculous in a pair of 2-3" stilettos at V&A?

TIA

Not at all!

Jill in CO

 

[Lehuaann]

Not at all!

Jill in CO

Great, thanks!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Will I look ridiculous in a pair of 2-3" stilettos at V&A?

TIA

No way! I wore 4" platform open toe satin heels the last time. A word of warning though, as you sit for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 hours your feet will swell. I made the god awful mistake of slipping my feet just out of my shoes during the course of the meal. I had to literally cram my feet back in and hobble to the lobby on my way out In fact, at the end of the meal, when our server asked if there was anything more she could get us, I muttered "flip flops" under my breath as she walked away

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Does anyone know Israel's email address? I need to arrange something for a friend who is dining at V&A on Oct 4th.

 

[JenKatt]

Will I look ridiculous in a pair of 2-3" stilettos at V&A?

TIA

I've worn 4 1/2 in heels the last few times. I'd feel more out of place in flats!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Try Israel.perez@disney.com which is the general format for most people's e-mail addresses.