Tie at Victoria & Albert's and other V & A questions?

[Allensfan]

I know my dh has to wear a jacket, which is great, but does he also have to wear a tie? He was talking about wearing no tie but a button up shirt...bow tie, or straight tie. But since we have never been, I did not want to give him wrong info and him feel out of place.

Also...anyone been in the last few months? The reviews I have been reading sound like everyone is having the same menu...I thought it changed all the time but maybe not.

Are any of the 'extra' purchases worth it? Or should we stick to the regular menu.

AND...I asked to be in the room with the fireplace and NOT under the dome in the main dining room. Did I make a good choice??

Thanks

 

[flapjack71]

Don't worry if your husband doesn't wear a tie or coat. THey have a special closet with jackets for the men. I guess they have a lot of men who don't go with the right clothes!! haha My husband wore a button down shirt and dress pants, they supplied the jacket. Actually I called them to find out what he needed to wear and they told me he didn't need a jacket - I guess they wanted him to wear there's!! haha It was actually very nice and clean. They had many coats in many sizes. There was a group of men who had golf polos on with their jackets. No tie was required. What was great is they did not make us feel as we made a big mistake with no jacket, they supplied one with great smiles and an attitude that it happens all the time and not to worry. They should with the money you spend on dinner!!! But was it worth it - YUMMMM

 

[BCV23]

No tie required although most wear them. In fact, I had reported on here that my husband didn't always wear them. Well, I was wrong because in January which was the last time we dined there, he asked our server when he noticed someone without one if they were no longer required. The server told him they had never been required. So much for my memory.

The menu does change although I think the souffles are always there. It sounds like the Kobe beef as an addon and maybe the caviar are getting pretty standard. We've never done the addons and there is already so much food. But from the reviews it does sound worth it, doesn't it?

We've only been in the fireplace room once this January. It was fine but I think I prefer the main room. Can't really put my finger on why though.

Bon apetit.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just to verify tie not required, but most men (around 90%+) do wear them.
I think the fireplace room is fine--tho I prefer under the "dome". You can hear the harpist better out there as well--.
And the menu does change, tho not on a daily basis. I suppose if you went to V&A a lot you would run into the same menu (or at least a lot of the same offerings). But if you go just once--then any menu would be "new"!!
OH--I thought the Kobe beef was worth the extra cost.

 

[Allensfan]

When I first made our RSVP there, I saw a menu floating around these boards. So I was excited to see the new menus as they came out and people posted about their dining experience. But it seems like for the last 4-6 months, most people report having very similar menus so that was the reason I asked if the menu changed from time to time.

My husband is a clothes horse and has tons of choices...but I will tell him to wear a tie or bow tie.

Are the wines good? DO they serve mainly white or reds...I love red wines, but open to trying most anything. Do they ask what you like the best? I have so many questions.

 

[QueueCT]

Been a few years since V&A (although going back in the spring). I was in Orlando for a business conference and flew my wife down for our 1st anniversary at V&A. We hadn't planned on going so we went to the mall where I got a sport coat and she got a new outfit (just a good excuse for shopping). I didn't have a tie on and didn't feel out of place at all.

Regarding the wine, you have a choice of ordering by the glass, by the bottle or their wine pairing with the meal. If you are not dead set against a white wine then I recommend the pairing. They will choose a wine that goes with the specific course that you're having so it will be a mix of red and white. It's a great way to try new wines that you may not have heard of. I highly recommend it.

 

[mugsy]

We ate there last month, and the add-ons were caviar ($100 and up), foie gras ($15), abalone ($25) and the Kobe beef ($25). We did all of the add-ons except for the caviar -- my opinion is, that unless you are dying to try Kobe beef or the abalone, only the foie gras is worth it. One included dish I would strongly suggest (if you are OK with mushrooms) is the Roulade of Free Range Chicken with Truffled Mushroom Duxelle -- it's in the same course as the foie gras, and should still be there.

 

[webray]

A tie is not required, just the jacket. Hubby always wears a silk/dressy tshirt under his jacket..looks great and very comfy.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Just from the way I have been brought up, although I tend to rebel against either tie or jacket I will always wear both to V&A because it feels like the right thing to do. One thing though, the tie is always a very wild Disney tie.

 

[ufgator]

We went last November, and our menu is on All Ears. DH wore a sportcoat and tie. Our meal was excellent. I didn't order any of the extras so I can't answer that. Hope you have a good time.