V&A Chef's vs. Queen's vs. Main room

[toxa]

Can someone compare the 3 options?

I'm specially curious about Chef's vs. Queen's, but wanna hear about main room as well (we are 70 days from our trip, so most likely will have no option but the main room).

 

[Pygoplites]

I haven't had the pleasure of dining at the chef's table, but have done QVR once and main dining room many times. I do believe the chef's and QVR menus are similar, if not the same.

The regular menu has many options since you can mix and match from the regular and veggie menu and there are 2-6 choices within each course. It is $125 and up (add-ons like Wagyu beef, special seafood, caviar and truffles can add $300+ additional of you go all out). There are 6 courses plus an amuse. Wine pairings are around $60.

The QVR and chef's menu has about 10 courses and a set menu for the most part, although they will adjust for preferences and dietary issues. I think the price is $200 and the wine pairing is $95. Some of the add-on items from the main dining room are included (or were when I dined there).

I find the main dining room food to be just right, whereas the QVR left me feeling somewhat overfed. I suppose I could have not cleaned my plate, but that seemed criminal.

Whatever you decide, it will be GREAT. I'm going there on Saturday and can't wait!

More info on their website: www.victoria-alberts.com

 

[JenKatt]

We've done all three, the CT x 3, QV x1 and the MDR x 3 (I think those totals are right, I'm suffering from pregnancy brain currently).
First off, you very well might be able to nab a table in the QVR. Even though there are only 4 tables, I've heard there are usually tables available. It can't hurt to try.
My thoughts.... we love V&A and try to go when we can. If price and all other things considered are equal (appetite, desire to try new things, etc), we would do the CT each time, followed closely by QVR and then the MDR as a nice backup. We really have become foodies and the little touches that you get in the specialized areas are worth it to us. We went to the QVR shortly after it opened and experienced some amazing touches that just couldn't be done in the MDR due to the amount of guests and space. I find the add ons in the MDR a pain in the rear, although they also exist to some extent in the QVR. I don't know if they are at the CT as well now.
I've walked away from every meal at V&A stuffed to the gills. DH and I always have our own wine pairings, we never split. And I can leave food on a plate, but never wine in a glass! (That's just wrong!).
Wherever you go at V&A, as long as you go with an appetite and some semblance of an open mind, you will have a great time. I say and open mind because sometimes Chef Hunnel even surprises the foodies (serving a Japanese inspired course with a wine pairing of sake, took me by surprise and I hate most sake- guess what? amazing course and sake).

 

[Pygoplites]

I'll also add that, as a major wine geek, there are some amazing bottles on the list if you want to forget the pairings. If you feel the urge to splurge, there are some real values hidden among the mostly way-marked-up list. At the top end, you'll find some gems that are actually below current retail prices. Their by the glass selection is also nice in case you just want to pair with a few courses.

Their pours when you do the pairings are generous (to say the least), unlike some other top-tier restaurants where they just give you a few tastes with each course. I'm a big guy and I usually end up leaving veeeeery happy (maybe a bit too happy sometimes). Smaller folk and less "seasoned" drinkers could be overwhelmed.

I adore virtually everything about this restaurant!

 

[JenKatt]

I concur on the wine pairing pourings. I'm not a big person, but can hold my own when it comes to wine/ liquor/ alcohol (prior military helped with that). You wind up with full glasses of wine, etc with each course, not a tasting.
My biggest piece of advice is when your wait staff offers a break to go for a walk, go for it. Just a 10 minute walk out of the restaurant does wonders in making room for the next course.

 

[kbmaggs]

We have done all 3, and our favorite, hands down, has been the Chef's Table. All that terrific food in a more relaxed environment was more to our liking. The QV room and main dining room don't offer the opportunity for interaction with the chef and sous chefs that made those meals so memorable for us.