V&A Chef's table seating?

[SarahInMN]

Hey y'all -

I know the chances are slim for us getting the chef's table in January but we're going to try anyways. How are the chef's tables arranged? If it is just the two of us, do we get our own table? Or are we seated with other people?

We want a romantic experience and if we have to sit with random strangers at the Chef's table then we'll probably just go with the regular dining area in V&A.

Thanks in advance!

 

[ROEDISNEY]

From what I heard you are sitting with other people. To me my opinion. Not Romantic. We ate in the dinning room. We didn't want the Chef's Table. It's a wondeful experience there.

 

[GirlfromTN]

You are not seated with anyone else at the Chef's table. Only 1 reservation is available per night for the chef's table, so if you get that reservation, you'll be the only ones seated there.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Call V & A they will be more than happy to answer you ? so you know for sure.

 

[GirlfromTN]

I have called V&A myself, and I am positive that you are the only ones seated at the table. You can have up to 10 people in your party, but only one party is seated there per night. So you could have 1 person in your group, or 10, but only YOUR group will be at the chef's table. This is why the chef's table reservation is so difficult to get.

 

[BCV23]

I have called V&A myself, and I am positive that you are the only ones seated at the table. You can have up to 10 people in your party, but only one party is seated there per night. So you could have 1 person in your group, or 10, but only YOUR group will be at the chef's table. This is why the chef's table reservation is so difficult to get.

Exactly right.

We have enjoyed the Chef's Table on one occasion. It was just my DH and me. It is one party per night.

It's a great experience but not as romantic in a traditional way as the dining room. However, we were celebrating our anniversary when we dined at CT and made a special memory.

 

[SarahInMN]

awesome...thanks for the quick responses!!

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) One table.
2) Not very romantic.
3) Used to be better, until they installed a fence between you and kitchen.

NOTE: I know a lot of people want the Chef's Table, but we find the dining room better. The atmosphere is more romantic and the service is better. To us, the Chef's Table is like Le Cellier - it has a cache, but not worth the price.

 

[kbmaggs]

We LOVED the experience of eating at the Chef's table... we had a blast interacting with the kitchen staff as they prepared dishes. I would definately do the dining room first, though.
Side note: The Chef's table was not available for any of the nights that we were going to be there, but there is a waiting list!!!! They called us a couple of weeks before our trip to offer it to us, so don't give up hope. Get on the wait list!

 

[GirlfromTN]

Why have they put a fence between the chef's table diners and the kitchen? Were people getting in the way of the kitchen staff? (doesn't seem too unlikely given all the wine you have if you get the wine pairings!!!)

 

[BCV23]

Why have they put a fence between the chef's table diners and the kitchen? Were people getting in the way of the kitchen staff? (doesn't seem too unlikely given all the wine you have if you get the wine pairings!!!)

When we dined at the CT there was no fence but "either" a bannister or half wall between the table and the kitchen....can't remember which?

I can't imagine there actually being a fence there now.

 

[BriarRosie]

Why have they put a fence between the chef's table diners and the kitchen? Were people getting in the way of the kitchen staff? (doesn't seem too unlikely given all the wine you have if you get the wine pairings!!!)

I think it's more for "atmosphere". I felt like I was dining on someone's back porch. And yes, there's only one Chef's Table seating per night, and they only allow one party there. They have enough seating for about 10-12, I think. It's been a while since I was there, but we were a party of 5, and it was very roomy.

What I liked most was that we could talk freely without the feeling of needing to speak at a hush. When the ladies in our group were escorted through the restaurant for our potty break, it felt strange to see such a subdued, quiet atmosphere after the activity in the kitchen.

And the more wine we had, I'm sure the louder we were. It's a good thing we were in the kitchen, I'd say.