Victoria & Alberts

[disqueen2]

I was thinking of surprising my family on Christmas and going to V&A's for dinner. I'm just a bit concerned, however, as the reviews I have been reading say it is best for couples. My DD (16) is very mature for her age and loves to get dressed up to go to dinner. We have taken her to "dress code" restaurants in Chicago and we've had a great time. My only concern is that we will feel out of place with a teenager eating there. Since Christmas is a very special day for us (as it is with most), we enjoy dressing up and really celebrating the holiday. We currently have reservations at 1900 Park Fair, but I am thinking of switching. We are on the DDP and I don't believe V&A's is on the plan at all, but after reading reviews, I would splurge to have our holiday dinner there. Any suggestions? Too much for a 16 year old?

 

[bicker]

This is the Dining Plan forum -- so you may not get as many on-target replies as if you posted this question in the regular Disney Restaurants forum.

 

[ElizabethB]

Hi disqueen2 -- Since this is, in fact, the Restaurant Board, I think I can go ahead and answer your question!

DH and I love V&A's. It is far and away the best restaurant at WDW. While the dining room can be romantic, it doesn't have to be for couples only. It's elegant and refined. There is a harpist and the service is outstanding.

Since you say your DD is mature and likes to eat out, this could be a very fun way to celebrate Christmas. And, you won't be out of place dining with a teenager at all. One word of warning, though, there was a thread a while back about a family group planning to dine at V&A on Christmas Day. The group has at least two children under age 10, if I recall right. There was alot of comment about the propriety of bringing kids that young to V&A. It got a little heated, so I think the thread was closed.

In any event, this family is supposed to be seated in the somewhat separate dining area, but nonetheless, forewarned is forearmed.

As you can see, dining with a teenager shouldn't be an issue. If you decide to go, I hope you have a lovely experience.

 

[bicker]

Hi disqueen2 -- Since this is, in fact, the Restaurant Board, I think I can go ahead and answer your question!

A very nice moderator moved the thread from the Dining Plan forum into the Restaurants forum.

 

[Viki]

Friends, we were just there a few weeks ago and while DP and I were, indeed, having a romantic 20th anniversary dinner, the diners right next to us, one of whom I happened to recognize as a fellow religious professional (what were the odds???), were a family much as you describe yours and from what I observed they had a super time together!

 

[Karenj2]

To the OP, my parents took my sisters and I there when we were kids (13, 10, and 7), and it was such a wonderful moment for us. (We were generally well behaved kids, and knew that it was a treat so we behaved. It didn't hurt that my parents probably would have killed us if we ruined that evening. ) I have NO idea what we ate, however... I'm sure we were a bit picky (or maybe the chefs were kind to us), but I remember liking our "adult" food.

I'd say that a mature 16 yo should be able to handle the meal. (Plus, she'll enjoy the extras that V&A provide!)

 

[disneytraveler]

I just ate dinner there solo last week. Its not just for couples .I also saw a some business men there. The service is excellent and as stated before there
is a harpist. I hope you will enjoy time there.

 

[mmmcq]

I think your teen would love it because it's not just the wonderful - it's the experience of seeing "Victoria" and "Alpert" serve you. She'll love it. I know my teens would love to go and my 7 yr old is well behaved at restaurants. But we'll wait a few years before we go back. We were there just before our 20th Wedding Anniversary - but at the Chef's table.

ps Viki - I LOVE your picture of the YC/BC. Did you take it? We'll be at BC for our last two nights and may see you at the pool. I don't have my green mickey paint chips yet.....maybe tom at Home Depot.

 

[goofie4goofy]

V&A's is not just for couples, we have seen families there as well (just not small children). Your 16 year old will just love it and will remember it forever. It is a very special dining experience. It is definately not on the DDP but worth every penny espically for Christmas dinner - what a wonderful place!

 

[emememem]

We've dined there with our 2 teens never had a problem...plan on going back the week after Christmas...you will be fine! Enjoy...

 

[Viki]

I think your teen would love it because it's not just the wonderful - it's the experience of seeing "Victoria" and "Alpert" serve you. She'll love it. I know my teens would love to go and my 7 yr old is well behaved at restaurants. But we'll wait a few years before we go back. We were there just before our 20th Wedding Anniversary - but at the Chef's table.

ps Viki - I LOVE your picture of the YC/BC. Did you take it? We'll be at BC for our last two nights and may see you at the pool. I don't have my green mickey paint chips yet.....maybe tom at Home Depot.

Yes, we'll certainly try to get some pool time in - more than the parks if the weather holds. Hope to see you there.

No, I didn't take the photo - but it is pretty, isn't it!

 

[Viki]

I think your teen would love it because it's not just the wonderful - it's the experience of seeing "Victoria" and "Alpert" serve you. .

I wanted to add - we were looking forward to the service of "Victoria and Albert" too, but we learned they changed that practice - now your servers are "just" who they are - one of our servers (we had two wonderful women) explained that they got too many complaints about how "cheesy" the V&A practice was for a restaurant of that caliber!

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I wanted to add - we were looking forward to the service of "Victoria and Albert" too, but we learned they changed that practice - now your servers are "just" who they are - one of our servers (we had two wonderful women) explained that they got too many complaints about how "cheesy" the V&A practice was for a restaurant of that caliber!

It wasn't "too many guests". Our Victoria at the Chef's Table said that they got a comment from AAA that it was a bit on the "hokey" side. (What that has to do with castrated turkeys I don't know.) But since they are one of only 46 restaurants in the country with an AAA Five Diamond Award they took it as a hint that they should change if they wanted to keep the rating.

 

[Viki]

It wasn't "too many guests". Our Victoria at the Chef's Table said that they got a comment from AAA that it was a bit on the "hokey" side. (What that has to do with castrated turkeys I don't know.) But since they are one of only 46 restaurants in the country with an AAA Five Diamond Award they took it as a hint that they should change if they wanted to keep the rating.

Ah, that sounds more like it! I had a hard time imagining V & A guests providing that sort of feedback. Thank you!

 

[ReggieB]

It wasn't "too many guests". Our Victoria at the Chef's Table said that they got a comment from AAA that it was a bit on the "hokey" side. (What that has to do with castrated turkeys I don't know.) But since they are one of only 46 restaurants in the country with an AAA Five Diamond Award they took it as a hint that they should change if they wanted to keep the rating.

The last time we went both our servers were men, so I assumed that perhaps they were fighting over who got to be Albert!! Hence the regular names.

 

[Donald - my hero]

You will all enjoy this special way to celebrate Christmas Just let her know ahead of time that the meal takes about 2 - 3 hours to enjoy. You will get numerous courses of what looks like tiny portions but by the time you get dessert you will want a cart to roll you out on!

Few pointers: Make sure you order coffee to end meal if you drink it. The way it is serves is a show in its own.

Oh make sure you go to the bathroom as well <wink> she will see the reason why. I still have something I "borrowed" from there --- hope things haven't changed too much since I was there.