Victoria & Alberts ???

[ddiva]

Is it really that good? We have reservations the end of the month and wanted some input. Should we get the wine pairing? What if we don't like what they are serving, are they accommodating? Thanks for any info.

 

[wendy46001]

It is really good, and i always found it worth the money....for the service alone....
as for the wine pairing...love it...i have to admit i know little to nothing about wine...and the pairing was wonderful.....DH isnt a wine drinker so skipped it, its actually a lot of wine....As for the food, i'm up for trying everything once so didnt think about asking for a substitute

 

[pilferk]

1) It is WELL worth it, IMHO.

2) It's a lot of wine. If you like to drink wine, it's worth it, but is still a LOT to put away in one 2.5 hour sitting. If you're a "lightweight", or just don't like to drink a lot, you might be happier just getting a glass or two.

3) There have always been choices for each course (or just about...certainly for the courses that don't have broad appeal) and we've always had no problem finding something on the menu, at each course, to satisfy us. If you have very specific food allergies or aversions, go ahead and call V & A's directly at least 24 hours before your seating to let them know. They'll make sure there is something on your menu that you'll like.

4) Don't forget to order coffee with dessert. The way they make it has to be seen at least once. Very cool. Oh, and my favorite for dessert: The Hawaiin Kona Chocolate Souffle.

 

[kimysbug]

We have been twice 10 years apart
July 1995 and July 2005

1) YES!!!!!!!!!! Toataly worth it

2) we did Wine pairing both times. THe wine really brings out the flavors in the food

3) When you sit down they ask if you are alergic to any thing or anything you don like.

 

[Wigit12]

We just did it for the second year in a row, but probably will have to skip a few years. We did the wine pairing this year, but for me it wasn't worth it. I wouldn't remember the meal if I drank all the wine they poured so most of it was wasted. DH appreciates wine more than me and he didn't finish all of his either.

I wouldn't dream of asking for any substitutes. Not there!! I chose some options I would never dream of picking normally. Some I loved; some were OK. Such as--the cheese course normally offers a gelato as an option. This year was coconut, which I hate, so I picked the cheese plate and just tasted a few. I still couldn't finish the dessert. Save room for dessert!!!

I second the Kona souffle. This year I selected the Grand Marnier souffle just for variety. I was awesome too, but this girl loves chocolate!! DH chose the Banana Gateau (?) both years and would probably pick it again. It was excellent.

All the tables around us watched our coffee brew, so definitely order it.

 

[pilferk]

All the tables around us watched our coffee brew, so definitely order it.

Slightly off topic...we are now the proud owners of one of those pots/aparatus (a company called Cona makes them). We bought it on the net after one of our V & A meals....it's a great conversation piece when it gets broken out at dinner parties..and it makes a great cup of coffee on Sunday morning.

 

[ddiva]

Thank you are all your posts. One last question, may we share the wine pairing?

 

[ufgator]

Yes, it is excellent - both food and service. I don't drink wine so I can't help with the wine pairing, and DH just ordered wine (not pairing). I recommend trying things even if you think you won't normally like them. I don't like squash, but I had a squash sauce and it was so good I think I could have licked the plate clean.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Thank you are all your posts. One last question, may we share the wine pairing?

Yes. I'm not sure if they will bring a set of extra glasses, or you will just have to share. However, order one meal with the wine and the other without. You can, of course, ask the servers to bring an extra empty wine glass with each course, and pour from one glass into the other.

Also, as to not liking items, unless you reallly have an existing strong dislike or allergy don't just turn something down if it sounds weird. The foods are designed to have the flavors complement or set off each other. That is one thing on really fine dining.

 

[mdhkitten]

4) Don't forget to order coffee with dessert. The way they make it has to be seen at least once. Very cool. Oh, and my favorite for dessert: The Hawaiin Kona Chocolate Souffle.

I just HAD to comment on the coffee! We dined there in 2003, and I saw another table get the coffee and thought to myself that is too cool! I'm not a coffee drinker, but my bf at the time was, so he went ahead and ordered it. While ours was "brewing", the other table's coffee thingy EXPLODED! Yikes! Nobody was hurt and I don't believe it messed up their clothes (it burst), but it scared the crap out of me, and I sat the rest of the night afraid that ours would do the same thing!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Just keep in mind that the daily menu choices are not that extensive and their ability to just "substitute" is limited. For example, if you don't like either of the 2 fish courses , there may not be any other fish to substitute. Normally there are just 3 "meat" selections and if you didn't like any of those, again there might not be anything else.
From our last meal at V&A--the meat choices were lamb, filet, and elk. If you had your heart set on pork or veal, you'd probably be out of luck. The fish choices were halibut and scallop.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Just keep in mind that the daily menu choices are not that extensive and their ability to just "substitute" is limited. For example, if you don't like either of the 2 fish courses , there may not be any other fish to substitute. Normally there are just 3 "meat" selections and if you didn't like any of those, again there might not be anything else.
From our last meal at V&A--the meat choices were lamb, filet, and elk. If you had your heart set on pork or veal, you'd probably be out of luck. The fish choices were halibut and scallop.

Just to expand on this...I have a shellfish allergy and therefore do not eat any seafood. Would this be a huge problem??

Thanks. Hoping to try V&A's next June.

 

[bridegirl]

I am a vegetarian and they have always been VERY accommodating.

We mention it when we make our ressie, then we call back 2 or 3 days before to remind them.

My menu always just has the vegetarian things they have come up with for me, not the choices like hubbys menu, but I have always been thrilled with every course!

It's really lovely there and a nice break from the parks and such.

Pixie dust,

Susy

 

[vascubaguy]

Just to expand on this...I have a shellfish allergy and therefore do not eat any seafood. Would this be a huge problem??

Thanks. Hoping to try V&A's next June.

I am also allergic to shellfish and when I made our ressie for January I was told they were very accomodating and that I would probably receive a call about 2 weeks before to confirm and discuss the food allergies, etc.

I'm looking forward to it though.

However, one thing I did notice was that many of the items I would like to order, based on older menus, have the surcharge... the kobe beef, etc... i gotta watch out for that stuff or I'll end up broke!