V&A's - is it worth it?

[disneydreaminA115]

My husband is the kind of guy who quivers at the $50 bill we get from the Cheesecake factory - but I REALLY want to go all out for our trip to Disney this year. We never had a honeymoon - and won't for a long time thanks to honeymoon babies - so even though they'll be with us for this trip, I want to have a special romantic dinner. My mom will be taking them for the night, and I want to make the most of it.

The resounding answer for "best restaurant" is usually Victoria and Albert's - and I'm wondering if it's worth the hype (read: price tag)? A $300 dollar meal will be a once in a life time thing for us, and I want to make sure it's worth it. We won't have park tickets so any other "park" restaurants are out - but I would consider places like Shula's or what not.

So - thoughts?

Oh FTR - we don't really like seafood - We are trying to branch out a bit, but definitely couldn't handle it for every course. Or even half. Things like crab, shrimp, and lobster are okay for my husband - with things like swordfish and salmon and scallops being on his "willing to try" list. I'm willing to try all of the above aside from swordfish and salmon.

 

[Pakey]

V&A is ranked as one of the top 50 restaurants in the US. Is it good? Yes. And honestly, for the price compared to many of the other restaurants on that list that we have tried, it's a steal.

The regular dining room menu will have one fish course out of 6. You will have choices within each course, other than the amuse bouche, so you will be able to select from 2-3 fish courses to get something that you like.

V&A is very accommodating. If you do not like the fish choices, you can tell them and they will prepare you something else. However, IMO, this is the type of place where you want to try things you normally wouldn't because they make it taste so much better than the Cheesecake Factory does.

I have dined at Shulas, bluezoo, Il Mulino, etc at WDW. I've never noticed our final bill at these places being much less than what we pay at V&A for the regular menu.

 

[OhThePain]

I agree with 100% of what Pakey said. Just keep in mind, if you do decide to splurge on V&A's, your DH will have to pack a sports jacket and such with him. V&A's is the one restaurant that is still pretty strict when it comes to dress code.

 

[Krissalee]

I think V&A's is worth it, but we like to eat and we like a good meal. We also like to try new things, and when it comes to eating in a restaurant like V&A's, whatever they are making has been so well prepared, that even if you think you won't like it, you may be surprised. We have tried a few things that we really liked that we never would have considered if they hadn't been on the menu there. Plus, if you don't enjoy one course, there are plenty of others to try. If you choose to dien at V&A's, I hope you ENJOY!

 

[drenalin'junkie]

worth it,worth dressing up,worth the drive,worth missing fireworks...yeah it's that good.

Had in 1 meal as many luxury foods as most places have on the whole menu:lobster,caviar,foie gras,white truffle,wagyu beef,duck and 3 awesome cheeses,dessert is amazing and even the coffee is the best in WD.You'll want to lick the plates and silverware.Maybe 3-5 places in Florida can compare at best.

 

[smithgrandchild]

V&A is most definitely worth the money.

If you want to stay away from fish, by all means that's your choice. However, you will read menu items and think "I won't like that" and let me tell you, you will be wrong!

Trust the chef, he knows what he is doing. Their meals are fabulous. It's my favorite special restaurant anywhere, hands down.

 

[kdka421]

It might be a little weird for me to chime in since I haven't actually eaten at V&A's yet (but we will be trying it for the first time later this month!! can't wait!!)...

However, my husband works at another Five-Diamond restaurant up here in VA, and we've had the luxury of dining there twice. The pricetag there is comparable to V&A's, and I'd venture to say that the overall experiences are similar - amazing food, fantastic service, and just a wonderful evening.

Without a doubt, the price is high. But I think if you're the kind of people who enjoy that superb dining experience, it is absolutely worth it. If it helps you rationalize it, tell yourself you're replacing a few lower-cost dining out trips with this one big experience.

Talking about my husband's restaurant, I tell everyone that if you can afford it, and you enjoy fine dining, then it's 100% worth doing once. I would imagine that V&A's is exactly the same! So although I've never eaten there...hands down, I'd tell you to go for it.

Hope you enjoy!

 

[disneychic]

It was a wonderful experience, they will make you feel almost pampered because the service is so good. The food was really good. It was just a very quiet, very relaxing experience-- I still have our menus from our Disneymoon 10 years ago

 

[saintstickets]

My husband is the kind of guy who quivers at the $50 bill we get from the Cheesecake factory - but I REALLY want to go all out for our trip to Disney this year. We never had a honeymoon - and won't for a long time thanks to honeymoon babies - so even though they'll be with us for this trip, I want to have a special romantic dinner. My mom will be taking them for the night, and I want to make the most of it.

The resounding answer for "best restaurant" is usually Victoria and Albert's - and I'm wondering if it's worth the hype (read: price tag)? A $300 dollar meal will be a once in a life time thing for us, and I want to make sure it's worth it. We won't have park tickets so any other "park" restaurants are out - but I would consider places like Shula's or what not.

So - thoughts?

Oh FTR - we don't really like seafood - We are trying to branch out a bit, but definitely couldn't handle it for every course. Or even half. Things like crab, shrimp, and lobster are okay for my husband - with things like swordfish and salmon and scallops being on his "willing to try" list. I'm willing to try all of the above aside from swordfish and salmon.

DW and I ate at V&A for the first time during our trip the week after Thanksgiving last year (TR link below). We too were a bit apprehensive about spending that much for a meal but we wanted to splurge and with all the reviews we have read, this seemed like the place to do it. It was FANTASTIC!! Here is our menu from the evening...

While your menu choices will be different because V&A serves the freshest of whatever is in season, you can see you will have several options for each course. When you call to make reservations and again when V&A calls you back to confirm your ressie, you can tell them you prefer no seafood and they will accommodate your wishes. Also, if you enjoy wine, the wine pairings with each course are a perfect compliment to the meal. DW and I were not sure about a full glass with each course so we split a wine pairing between us. For the price of one wine pairing ($60 in the main dining room), each of you will receive an appropriate half glass of wine with each course.

V&A is an experience everyone should try once in their life. Here is their website URL...
http://victoria-alberts.com/index.html

Hope you enjoy!

 

[disneydreaminA115]

V&A is very accommodating. If you do not like the fish choices, you can tell them and they will prepare you something else. However, IMO, this is the type of place where you want to try things you normally wouldn't because they make it taste so much better than the Cheesecake Factory does.

This is my thought exactly I want to try new foods, and I figure if I'm going to do that, it should be somewhere that will do it right.

Just keep in mind, if you do decide to splurge on V&A's, your DH will have to pack a sports jacket and such with him. V&A's is the one restaurant that is still pretty strict when it comes to dress code.

Not a problem, my husband LOVES to dress up - I'm pretty sure enjoys shopping for clothes a million times more than I do - so that will be nice for him

I think V&A's is worth it, but we like to eat and we like a good meal. We also like to try new things, and when it comes to eating in a restaurant like V&A's, whatever they are making has been so well prepared, that even if you think you won't like it, you may be surprised. We have tried a few things that we really liked that we never would have considered if they hadn't been on the menu there. Plus, if you don't enjoy one course, there are plenty of others to try. If you choose to dien at V&A's, I hope you ENJOY!

We love to eat too! REALLY love to eat! Thank you for your input!

worth it,worth dressing up,worth the drive,worth missing fireworks...yeah it's that good.
.

Good! I'm glad to hear it

V&A is most definitely worth the money.

If you want to stay away from fish, by all means that's your choice. However, you will read menu items and think "I won't like that" and let me tell you, you will be wrong!

Trust the chef, he knows what he is doing. Their meals are fabulous. It's my favorite special restaurant anywhere, hands down.

Thank you! I think I will. I know that I do't like "fishy" tasting foods, it literally churns my stomach at the smell - but I also have heard that good seafood shouldn't be fishy.

Without a doubt, the price is high. But I think if you're the kind of people who enjoy that superb dining experience, it is absolutely worth it.

It was a wonderful experience, they will make you feel almost pampered because the service is so good. The food was really good. It was just a very quiet, very relaxing experience-- I still have our menus from our Disneymoon 10 years ago

Thank you so much! Mmmm pampered. It's been a long time since I've felt that way! lol

DW and I ate at V&A for the first time during our trip the week after Thanksgiving last year (TR link below). We too were a bit apprehensive about spending that much for a meal but we wanted to splurge and with all the reviews we have read, this seemed like the place to do it. It was FANTASTIC!! Here is our menu from the evening...

Thanks so much for providing your experience, photos, and information! I'm sold

Thanks everyone!! You've convinced me!!

 

[jedijill]

V&A was WONDERFUl!!!!! I dined there solo in May. It was so good I'm thinking very hard about eating there again in October (before my TIW runs out!!!). Perfect service, wonderful food, just an amazing experience.

Jill in CO