Victoria & Albert's review

[gwensgoofy]

My husband and I dined here this past Monday. The food was absolutely fantastic, but the service just wasn't as good as we expected it to be. Please don't think I'm bashing the restaurant, I just think we may have hit it on an off night, or our expectations were too high going in.
When we arrived we were seated at the table closest to the entrance, which was not fully set. The person who seated us appeared to be nervous, and may have been training, as the woman who was working with him came over within 5 minutes and asked if we would like to be moved, or if not, they would set the table quickly. When we were moved, we sat for almost 10 minutes with no one coming over to greet us.

We had 2 men serving us. I am horrible with remembering names. The first was efficient, but seemed like he was either distracted or rushed. He never described any of the butters or breads, but put them on the table and rushed off. We heard from the other servers' presentation to another table what flavors of butter and bread we were receiving. We loved our wine pairings, and asked the server some questions about the riesling, but he didn't know the answers and never offered to send someone over who knew the answers.The second server spoke so quietly, but was friendly. He was always present when the courses would arrive, and would review again what was ordered, and how it was prepared.

I left the table to visit the restroom, and when I returned, my napkin had been removed. However, no one ever brought another to me, and I needed to flag a server down (not ours) to get one after waiting. The server that was at the next table was amazing, and so interactive with his table, but ours appeared to be so rushed and distracted. The cheese course, dessert and coffee were just fantastic.

I was only disappointed in one thing in reference to the food. I explained during the phone call with V&A a week prior, that my husband did not eat scallops. I hoped he would be offered other options during that portion of his dinner. My menu listed 3 options for this course: scallop, cuttlefish, or a choice to upgrade with abalone. My husband's menu offered only the cuttlefish and the upgrade. I was surprised, with advance notice, that he wasn't offered something in place of the scallop, but was only offered the cuttlefish or the upgrade.

Our server brought the check, and a wonderful plate containing caramels and cookies. My husband signed the charge and we relaxed and enjoyed our coffee. The server never returned to the table. We finished our coffee and waited a bit, as I saw the tables around us receiving a small bag containing what I had read contained a small loaf of bread. Our server would walk towards our table, see us sitting there, and walk away. Maybe you don't receive the bread if you've used TIW? I know we hadn't dawdled too much, as our reservations were for 615 and we left the restaurant by 830.

The food was exquisite, but I didn't think our service was as good as I'd read about. It wasn't a horrible experience, just not what I had hoped. It wasn't the smooth, polished service for which the restaurant is known. Maybe I set my expectations too high after waiting 5 years to do this. We will defintely return, as I'm sure our experience was an aberration.

 

[Pumbaa_]

You are aplogizing for finding V&A disappointing. You have nothing to apologize for, V&A does!

A 5 star restaurant does not leave a lady without a napkin. Nor does it not explain the different breads and butters.

I would be very disappointed and I would share my disappointment with the restaurant manager. They would be happy to have the opportunity to retrain staff, as in your case, it is much needed

I am glad you still enjoyed your evening, but agree better servers would have tremendously enhanced the experience

 

[saintstickets]

We finished our coffee and waited a bit, as I saw the tables around us receiving a small bag containing what I had read contained a small loaf of bread. Our server would walk towards our table, see us sitting there, and walk away. Maybe you don't receive the bread if you've used TIW?

I am so sorry to hear about the poor service you received at V&A. The one time DW and I ate at V&A, the service was just as perfect as the food. When we ate there during our trip the week after Thanksgiving (TR link below), we used our TIW card and received a rose for DW and the "goodie bag" at the end of the meal which included our menu and a small loaf of banana nut bread for breakfast the next morning. I definately would contact V&A and let them know about your service. They won't know anything is wrong unless you tell them.

 

[engle]

Another vote for emailing about your service. I emailed once regarding something...not a problem really...and got a very quick and positive response. I was very excited that they were so concerned about my feelings....trust me, email....

 

[ems_mom]

I'm surprised you haven't got more of a reaction from the V&A crowd. I haven't been yet but plan to go on my May trip using the AP discount.

Honestly I think you did receive less than stellar service and I advise you to call and complain. I know it seems like everyone defends Disney, but V&A's did let you down in this instance. You paid for a specific experience and they didn't deliver. I know you're not asking for anything but I would call directly and share with them what you shared with the DIS.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

I am so sorry to hear about your experience.

I can assure you that what you described is far from the standard service at V&A. We have dined there three times and have only encountered a few minor service flaws, nothing on the level with what you described.

To reassure you on a few points:

You absolutely did not dawdle. Our reservations have always been for 5:15 or 5:30 and we don't leave until close to 9 p.m.

You definitely get every element of the V&A experience (including the bread and a rose for any women in the party) when using TIW.

While most tables have two servers, a primary server and a secondary server, each should be able to describe any element of the meal and answer any questions you might have.

Your husband most certainly should have been offered a substitution for the scallop. My DDad is allergic to all white fish and to some mollusks (scallops etc). Where we had Octopus on our menu, he had Shrimp (which we had informed V&A that he could eat).

I believe that Israel would be aghast at hearing your experience!

For example of the usual level of service....on our second meal, DMom drained her water glass quiet quickly as she was thirsty when we arrived. Our server had this startled look when he noticed the empty glass and practically sprinted to our table to refill it! Water glasses are never supposed to be empty at V&A.

And when you returned from the washroom, one of the hostesses should have met you at the table with a new napkin for you. In fact, the hostesses often walk ladies to the washroom as they don't want them to slip on the marble floor.

Please email or call and relay your disappointment.

 

[GirlfromTN]

I have been to V&A's twice, and never received the breakfast bread. I asked why we didn't receive it, and was told that it is only given to people who are celebrating something (anniverary, bday, etc.) We went once with a friend who was celebrating his birthday. There were 6 of us at the table. They gave him the bread but none of the rest of us got any.
As for service, the first time I went to V&A's about a year and a half ago, it was awesome. The waiters explained every dish and spent lots of time with us. The second time, we asked repeatedly for the waiters to give explanations of the dishes, and to explain the coffee brewing process to the people at the table who had never been to the restaurant. We barely got a response. It also took the waiters about 40 mins to even come to our table to greet us after we were seated. It sounds like the service is uneven at the restaurant sometimes. This is unacceptable for any fine dining restaurant - much less one that charges as much as V&A's!

 

[VrBchJ]

I'm so sorry your experience was disappointing. There's no excuse for anything less than perfection at V&A. I've never gotten the breakfast bread either. Now I know it's because we're never celebrating anything but good food, good wine and good company.

 

[gwensgoofy]

I was a little worried in posting, as I was afraid I might get flamed from those that love Victoria & Albert's. We really, really loved the food, so I know we want to go again. A number of you have mentioned emailing the maitre d', but does anyone know the email?