Victoria & Albert's review (sorta)

[Babsy]

Thank you for your review! This is good information to have so your frank review is much appreciated.
I have considered V & A's often, but was concerned that the experience would be just as you described. It is now officially off my bucket list. We are simply not that formal. I believe that Cali Grille is the top of how formal we prefer to experience. In fact, we find the food there (and other restaurants like Narcoosee's or Jiko's) to be quite acceptable for our dining in WDW.

 

[Hopefully]

I read your review with interest. I think in the beginning you stated the core of your problem, you did not research it enough.
I have not been. But from what I have read I would expect to pay $600 - $700/couple with wine parings. So I would know that going in. I would know how quiet and formal the experience is. I even seen picture of little "stools" they bring for a woman's purse to rest on. I don't have a purse nice enough for that
I like being waited on and pampered.
But I also know that this is not an experience DH and I would enjoy. I enjoy reading the reviews but I have no desire to go.
Thanks for your review.

 

[kboo]

NYC foodie here. The price is not at all out of line for tasting menus in NYC. A 3-4 course prix fixe here runs $80-120, and a 4* tasting menu (Michelin starred, bla bla bla) will start at $150 pp and go up from there. And no wine. Of course this is not an every day thing to do, nor is California Grill, for that matter. We tried to go last April on our "last hurrah at the end of maternity leave" trip and our babysitting fell through, so we are going in August for DH's 50th birthday. And we are going to enjoy it. We love our kids and take them everywhere else (including Cali Grill the night before!) I doubt we will make V&A a regular occurrence after that, but for a special occasion, I could justify the cost. (To compare, Thomas Keller's Per Se in NYC is about 2x the cost - we went for our 20th anniversary and also for V-day around our 15th anniversary - and it was truly phenomenal, even compared to other top NYC restaurants. That said, probably not headed back there any time soon because $$$$$!)

And I had better bring a nicer purse, so it can feel comfortable on its little tuffet. And factor that into the cost of dining at V&A.

 

[PAGA2003]

And I had better bring a nicer purse, so it can feel comfortable on its little tuffet. And factor that into the cost of dining at V&A.

So I fully admit where some have a Disney problem I have a handbag problem-I've already decided I need a new bag for the occasion

 

[loves to dive]

Ok, by way of comparison, at Cali Grill my wife and I got an app, each an entree, each a dessert, and each had a couple of drinks. After tax and tip it was about $240. At V&A we got the 7 course (the cheapest you can get at $185 PP), the wine pairing ($105 PP, but if you have a couple of glasses you will hit that, so you may as well), and we had the coffee, and after tax and tip it was about $750. So where people get this nonsense of it being not that much more expensive is beyond me. It's simply not true. CG is likely the next most expensive place in WDW and we had about the same amount of food and drink for about 1/3 the price.

Like I said, it's all about what you are used to and what you are comparing it to. My son and I had a meal at Jinkos. We had no appetizers since we had already had that at the bar. He got the smallest filet and I got a fish dish. We both got a wine pairing, thinking we were getting different wines so we could taste both the white and red pairings when it was actually one white with two reds, one red with the same two red that was in the white pairing. So two different pairings, both with two identical wines in them (that is the first and only time I've ever seen that). No desserts since we were full, no coffee. Our tab came to close to $250. Had we had an appetizer, dessert and coffee, I imagine it would have come close to $500. Now we don't mind spending that much and do it often but he actually only ate 3/4 of his steak because it was over cooked. I only ate half my fish. So $750 for a seven course meal in a nicer setting with better service and that was actually edible, no problem.

 

[BayouQueen]

Like I said, it's all about what you are used to and what you are comparing it to. My son and I had a meal at Jinkos. We had no appetizers since we had already had that at the bar. He got the smallest filet and I got a fish dish. We both got a wine pairing, thinking we were getting different wines so we could taste both the white and red pairings when it was actually one white with two reds, one red with the same two red that was in the white pairing. So two different pairings, both with two identical wines in them (that is the first and only time I've ever seen that). No desserts since we were full, no coffee. Our tab came to close to $250. Had we had an appetizer, dessert and coffee, I imagine it would have come close to $500. Now we don't mind spending that much and do it often but he actually only ate 3/4 of his steak because it was over cooked. I only ate half my fish. So $750 for a seven course meal in a nicer setting with better service and that was actually edible, no problem.

It would be really cool if you could report back with a review after you give it a go at V&A. I think you said you had a reservation coming up? Maybe that was another poster. Anyhow, fun to read the various reviews.

 

[FSU Girl]

It would be really cool if you could report back with a review after you give it a go at V&A. I think you said you had a reservation coming up? Maybe that was another poster. Anyhow, fun to read the various reviews.

I wrote a review on the restaurant. The link is in my signature. I'm also going back in May for my birthday I might write another review to compare the two experiences.

 

[BayouQueen]

I wrote a review on the restaurant. The link is in my signature. I'm also going back in May for my birthday I might write another review to compare the two experiences.

Beautiful review! You took some awesome photos!

 

[FSU Girl]

Beautiful review! You took some awesome photos!

Thank you

 

[AngiTN]

Unless money is no object in your life, you should plan a very special occasion, not just a Tuesday on vacation. You should really want to dress up, not just tolerate dressing up to meet the dress code, you should want to have people look at you and know you're going somewhere special. You should not want to engage in any idle chit chat with your guest. It's a really quiet room and you will be interrupted often by the wait staff. Now, I understand, you are paying for the service, and it is special service, but I prefer conversation to service interruptions. You should be the type that enjoys people tending to you like you're someone special. Not just sorta like it, it should be something you relish in.

All that being said, I'm not bashing the place. But it's not for me, not at that price point. .

Yep, I do know all of that and that is why we'd never ever book it. The bold sums it up but I'll go one step further. It's not for me, at any price point. For all the things you point out in the first paragraph. I don't enjoy dressing up, I don't enjoy being catered to, boder line hover over, I don't enjoy quiet or interruptions. I wasn't born with a good inside voice These are the reasons why we won't go. Not because of price (though that doesn't help, there's not a food in this world so good I'd pay $300 to eat it) but it's just not us. DH is a redneck (and proud of it) and we are both small town country people. This high level of experience is too foreign for us to be enjoyable. But thankfully, I'm fully aware of how it is

 

[kiford]

Unless money is no object in your life, you should plan a very special occasion, not just a Tuesday on vacation.

It all depends on what you like to do and how you like to spend your money, not necessarily how much you have. We consider being on vacation the special occasion so always book V&A's when we go. For us, dining is an integral part of vacation. Whenever I book V&As and they ask if it's a special occasion I tell them "yes, I'm dining at Victoria & Albert's".

It's so interesting how people can have different experiences at the same place, isn't it. Keeps us on our toes, I guess.
We went recently for the hubby's birthday. I felt like we got loads of time to talk, to each other and the waitstaff, because it was so quiet and peaceful. It doesn't have the noise and kids and distractions we find at other Disney restaurants. Granted, we talked a good bit about the food, but that was super fun for us.

We have never felt awkward having a good discussion at our table, or even with our waiters, that is not to say that we were in any way loud, but we weren't exactly whispering either. We have usually found that the waiters are pretty good at keeping an eye on us, and tended to swoop in when there was more of a lull in our conversation, as opposed to really interrupting us per se.

We've also never felt interrupted by the staff there. I find that they are very good about seeing when you naturally pause. We also chat to the staff there in between courses and I can't say that we particularly whispered when we did so. And we were in the QVR which only has four tables. We found that they were far enough apart that we didn't interfere with others and their conversation didn't impact us. We talked as we normally did. One of the things we like about V&A is that you get to spend a lot of time with your companion over a nice meal with lots of pauses between courses. In so many restaurants you have food thrown at you in such quick succession that you spend more of your time eating and not enough time socializing. To me, dining is only partially about the food - it's the social aspect as well as having sufficient time to fully appreciate the food and the whole experience.

I'm still stuck at the 7 course meal part. That is just ALOT of food!!

Try the 10 course one. It is, as others have said, very small portions so that you can continually get new taste experiences and it does take several hours. Our last time two times there we spent four hours. I'm having a hard time now ever considering going back to the 7 course meal.

I like California Grill (why don't they make the goat cheese ravioli in tomato broth into an entree!) but it's not even close to the same league as V&A IMO in terms of food, service and atmosphere. Hence the price differential. My father hates V&A type of food; he considers any salad not made with iceberg lettuce to be a bowl of weeds, doesn't like sauces, anything "exotic" or "weird" (as a reference point, he considers venison, elk, or wild boar to be exotic and sushi to be weird), and won't spend that kind of time over a meal or that much money. I'd never get him into V&A's but he might enjoy Cali Grill though he'd probably prefer Narcoosee's because of the seafood although I wouldn't because I'm allergic. He does know the best steakhouse where he takes me for my birthday so I have to give him some credit (garlic bread to die for and juciest loveliest rib eye ever). Different strokes for different folks.

I do agree that knowing what you're getting into when you're spending that kind of money is important. If it's not what you like, it's a waste of money. If you don't know if you'll like it, give it a try at least once and see if you do or not. If you do like that kind of experience it is well worth it.

 

[amberpi]

I really do think its about personal preferences and what you're used to. I've eaten at a lot spendier places and had similar and better/worse experiences. A PP mentioned Keller's Per Se - worth every penny! French Laundry (also a Keller joint) is like $300 pp to start and that doesn't include the foie gras or caviar and if you're going that big already? Its totally worth it, but my bill there is 2 of V&A. Heck, here in down home Nashville, we have a place that's similar, but its much more casual, called Catbird Seat, its $115pp and that's in not fancy or a vacation destination Nashville! So I don't think its pricey at all - relatively speaking. So, those of us saying it was/is worth it? For us, it totally is. If I can get a V&A reservation and I'm in WDW, I will, I'll also get a Le Escribe, Thornton's and Patrick Guillard reservation when I go back to Ireland later this summer. They're fantastic, its vacation, and it's totally worth it

Anyhow, I don't think its super quiet, but I love quiet restaurants and have always found the service to not be intrusive, but I'm not someone who encourages the waitstaff to chat. I also don't think its super formal, but by nature, I'm always more dressed up than any ocassion or going to Target calls for. I was raised to believe to always take care of yourself and present yourself well. I think the people in tuxes though are going a little far, it ain't a ball or gala. One more point, its REALLY nice to have a place in WDW have is kids free, or very near.

I love CG, but you go anywhere here locally and get something similar, hell, without a reservation. I'm doing it tomorrow! You can't get that view anywhere though, if you get a really late seating, most of the children are gone

 

[BayouQueen]

I think this thread finally made me figure out what was not what we expected about V&A. Funny I never could pin it down.

Really, this is a themed restaurant -- themed to the Victorian/Edwardian era. Think Downton Abbey or The Ritz turn of the last century. The waiters definitely are not intrusive. In fact they are very discreet and stay in character as waitstaff would be in an earlier era -- seen and not heard. Which is fine -- but very quiet. (We "drew out" our waiter a bit, and so did converse with him.)

I think I would have enjoyed very much this experience at the Ritz or at a country house party in 1900, because there would be more "people watching," a "see and be seen vibe," and just a more social event -- along with exquisite cuisine. But in a small dining room, with very few tables, it was just, for us, kind of....gloomy. The food wasn't enough to carry the experience for us. For true "foodies" it might be.

 

[BayouQueen]

I really do think its about personal preferences and what you're used to. I've eaten at a lot spendier places and had similar and better/worse experiences. A PP mentioned Keller's Per Se - worth every penny! French Laundry (also a Keller joint) is like $300 pp to start and that doesn't include the foie gras or caviar and if you're going that big already? Its totally worth it, but my bill there is 2 of V&A. Heck, here in down home Nashville, we have a place that's similar, but its much more casual, called Catbird Seat, its $115pp and that's in not fancy or a vacation destination Nashville! So I don't think its pricey at all - relatively speaking. So, those of us saying it was/is worth it? For us, it totally is. If I can get a V&A reservation and I'm in WDW, I will, I'll also get a Le Escribe, Thornton's and Patrick Guillard reservation when I go back to Ireland later this summer. They're fantastic, its vacation, and it's totally worth it

Anyhow, I don't think its super quiet, but I love quiet restaurants and have always found the service to not be intrusive, but I'm not someone who encourages the waitstaff to chat. I also don't think its super formal, but by nature, I'm always more dressed up than any ocassion or going to Target calls for. I was raised to believe to always take care of yourself and present yourself well. I think the people in tuxes though are going a little far, it ain't a ball or gala. One more point, its REALLY nice to have a place in WDW have is kids free, or very near.

I love CG, but you go anywhere here locally and get something similar, hell, without a reservation. I'm doing it tomorrow! You can't get that view anywhere though, if you get a really late seating, most of the children are gone

Love Nashville! Our daughter is a Vandy girl who loves good food. She took us to all kinds of great places when we'd visit her. I don't remember the names of any of them, but great dining there in Nashville. Very happy memories of your town!

 

[amberpi]

Love Nashville! Our daughter is a Vandy girl who loves good food. She took us to all kinds of great places when we'd visit her. I don't remember the names of any of them, but great dining there in Nashville. Very happy memories of your town!

Ah thanks! I think I would love it less if I didn't travel so much for work, but all the travel makes me see how vibrant, and weird (in a good way!) it is. I have tons of Vandy friends and on my most recent corporate job (I consult now!), everyone made fun of my team because they were almost all Vandy people. I had ~30-40 people working for me at the time. The food here is pretty great, but I'm totally ruined for fried chicken. I literally don't eat it outside of home anymore. I just don't understand plain, bland fried chicken like from KFC. I hope your daughter is loving Vandy. She'll get a great education for sure!

 

[Daisybell911]

So I fully admit where some have a Disney problem I have a handbag problem-I've already decided I need a new bag for the occasion

FINALLY! My Haunted Mansion Dooney and Bourke purse will get the appreciation and attention that it deserves!!!

We go to V&A in September. We even booked the Queens room. I can't WAIT! But I like to eat boughie so I expect it to be right up my alley!

 

[Kodachrome_Dreams]

I have been stalking V&A for weeks trying to get a reservation for our May trip, but after reading this thread, I am glad I was not successful. I knew it was pricey, but $750+ for a restaurant in a theme park?! I love to splurge on vacation, and have been fortunate to eat at some of the best restaurants in the world, but I guess even I have my limits. lol

 

[Amelia :)]

That place is my idea of hell. Give me some nachos and my comfy clothes any day of the week. Nothing about the experience sounds relaxing to me (especially not the bill!). Different strokes for different folks eh

 

[keaster]

We dined at V&A's when we did an anniversary stay at the GFV for just DH and I a few years ago. We completely enjoyed the experience and the food, and would love to do it again some day. We did the 7 course and felt it was the perfect amount of food.
We were lucky when we went they still accepted the Tables in Wonderland card so the 20% off definitely helped with the cost!

 

[Kodachrome_Dreams]

Don't get me wrong. I love a fine dining experience and any excuse to dress up; but just this morning I read a review in The Guardian of Le Cinq at the Four Seasons George V hotel in Paris, a world renowned restaurant with three Michelin stars, and *that* meal was the same price as one at Victoria and Albert. Wow.