Victoria & Alberts- worth it?

[ChelseaC]

Has anyone been? My sister in law says it's great, but I'm wondering if it's worth the nearly $300 per person price tag.

 

[madalex]

It's not $300/person. The base price is $125/person. There are food add-ons that cost more and drinks are extra as well (you can order a wine flight for $60/person or other wines/drinks, at your discretion). There is, of course, a tip on top of that as well. So, if you do lots of add-ons, drinks and a big tip, it can get to $300/person, but it can also be done for much less.

There are also special chef's table and other more intimate dining packages that cost more, but again, the base cost for V&A's is less.

 

[ChelseaC]

It's not $300/person. The base price is $125/person. There are food add-ons that cost more and drinks are extra as well (you can order a wine flight for $60/person or other wines/drinks, at your discretion). There is, of course, a tip on top of that as well. So, if you do lots of add-ons, drinks and a big tip, it can get to $300/person, but it can also be done for much less.

There are also special chef's table and other more intimate dining packages that cost more, but again, the base cost for V&A's is less.

Yeah I should've specified in my original post, sorry. I was talking about the chef's table one..my sister in law said it was $300pp so that's what I was going off of.

 

[drenalin'junkie]

worth every nickel.

 

[JimmyV]

If fine dining experiences are something you enjoy and the potential highlight of your vacations, then yes, it is worth it. If you are the type of diner who can't help but calculate how many hot dogs and Mickey Bars you could have bought for the same amount of money, then no, it is not.

 

[Pakey]

V&A has been ranked as one of the top 50 restaurants in the US for several years. So yes, we think it's worth it. We have dined here many times and the meals and experiences are always exceptional.

 

[snykymom]

Chef's Table prix fixe menu starts at $200 pp. Wine pairings are $95 pp and there are additional (and optional) menu items as well.

We haven't done Chef's Table, but have done the dining room several times. It is worth every penny for the food. We wouldn't do the wine pairings again; there were a few exceptional wines and few we didn't like so much.

 

[BIERMUGG]

Don't do it. Ate there last October, ever since then no restaurant can ever match the meal we ate. It ruined me. The food was that good.

 

[dester]

About as good as it gets!

 

[tinkandpan]

We live in NYC and have the opportunity to visit many wonderful restaurants quite often, but would rank V&A up there as one of the best food experiences we have had. The ambiance is a little strange in some regards, but the food and the service can NOT be beat. THe only thing holding us back from going again on this rtrip is DH didn't feel like carrying a jacket down to wear.

 

[ambgoph]

The meal we had was in our top 3 of all time. We shared the wine pairing and I still felt it was too much wine.

The cost for the meal is a bargain compared to what we have paid for meals in NY and Vegas. We're really looking forward to our return visit in Aug.

 

[ccgirl]

The meal we had was in our top 3 of all time. We shared the wine pairing and I still felt it was too much wine.

The cost for the meal is a bargain compared to what we have paid for meals in NY and Vegas. We're really looking forward to our return visit in Aug.

That was actually a question I had. Does everyone at the table have to get the wine pairing?

My DH and myself are thinking of going here in October for the first time. We really liked Emeril's at the City Walk and enjoy fine dining for special occasions but have yet to try this.

Are reservations difficult to get?

 

[JimmyV]

That was actually a question I had. Does everyone at the table have to get the wine pairing?

No. It can be done per person.

My DH and myself are thinking of going here in October for the first time. We really liked Emeril's at the City Walk and enjoy fine dining for special occasions but have yet to try this.

V&A is several levels above Emeril's. Much more like The French Laundry, Per Se, Charlie Trotter's or Eleven Madison Park.

Are reservations difficult to get?

Not really. Especially if you opt for the 6:00 seating. I am going in August and there was plenty of availability just yesterday for my dates, and this is well inside the 180 day window. The Chef's Table is, of course, harder to book.

 

[ccgirl]

No. It can be done per person.



V&A is several levels above Emeril's. Much more like The French Laundry, Per Se, Charlie Trotter's or Eleven Madison Park.



Not really. Especially if you opt for the 6:00 seating. I am going in August and there was plenty of availability just yesterday for my dates, and this is well inside the 180 day window. The Chef's Table is, of course, harder to book.

Wonderful news! Thank you so much for your quick replies. They were extremely helpful. I'm not sure I could drink all that wine which is why I was asking. My DH, on the other hand, would love to.

As soon as our October dates are set I am going to call. Looking forward to it. This will be a great way to celebrate our anniversary.

 

[tinkandpan]

i was actually surprised to see how open the restaurant was during out june trip- and the fact you can now do V&A online is great.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Many years ago Scott Joseph, then the Restaurant Reviewer of The Orlando Sentinel, did a review of The Chef's Table at V&A. I remember his ending comment, something to the effect that while V&A is an excellent value, the Chef's Table is a real bargain.

 

[hintofspy]

I ate at V&A (regular, no Chef's Table, etc.) for a graduation present a few years ago, and it was by far the best dining experience I've ever had (and I've had the pleasure of eating at some pretty awesome places :]). I chose to have the wine pairing, and I must say, they are *extremely* generous in their pours, so while it was a great value, I could not finish them all!

Also, in terms of availability, I just made an ADR (at Citricos, mmmmmm) for dinner tomorrow (yes, tomorrow), and they had room at both seatings for V&A when I looked. And availability next Friday night as well