Victoria and Alberts???? Help me PLEASE!!

[Blessedx3]

OK I have reservations at Victorias and ALberts for a quite night out with my DH for our upcoming trip. But now I am starting to really worry. DH is very much a regular "JOE" Steak and potato man. And I am not a seafood eater at all. Did I make a bad choice should I cancel?? I am afraid for the money we may not like it? I am more woried about the DH he isn't big on trying new things at all. I picked it for the atmosphere. We never dress up and go out. Any suggestions would be greatly apprciated.

 

[profdsny]

Hmmmmm. We went once, and it was very good. But, it wasn't steak or ribs or anything like that. Why not try Artist Point? Or the steak house at Y and B,(which I can't recall the name of now but someone will know.)
If you are going for the meal either one of those would be very good. V and A is nice and quiet, and very fancy, but I'm not sure I'd do it again. ( also V and A is very expensive) Actually, California Grill is nice also, but prepared for LOUD there.
Anyhow, that's my 2cents. She what others say.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Is your not being a seafood eater due to allergies or just not caring for seafood? Unless allergies are involved, I think it would be a good idea to try V&A; just have an open mind. How do you know you will not like something unless you have tried it (that is for both of you)?

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

We ate at the chef's table and had the time of our lives. We are foodies though, loving to try new things.

One suggestion would be to review some of the current menus: http://www.allearsnet.com/menu/menu_va.htm

Look past the fancy names and read the description of what everything really is.

Looks like, as with the chef's table, you can tell them that you prefer not to have seafood and give them other food preferences and dislikes.

If your husband doesn't really have a deep appreciation for food, though, there are other restaurants at WDW with romantic atmospheres that may suit you better. Maybe look at the menu for Bistro de Paris?

 

[Lynne M]

Check out this thread - the question was very similar to yours, and it sparked a very good discussion. I think you'll find it helpful in making your decision. And definitely check out the menus.

Personally.....I wouldn't bring a steak and potatoes person who doesn't like to try new things to V&As. There are many great TS places with a nice, romantic atmosphere, that will have something to satisfy your husband, and will cost a fraction of what V&A will. It's just not worth spending hundreds of dollars on a meal that your husband will probably not enjoy at all, just for 'atmosphere'.

 

[KristineN]

My husband is not an adventurous eater at all....he LOVED V & A. This was by far one of the best things we have ever done....so much so, that we will go back in February.

I agree...go with an open mind.

 

[ReggieB]

It's really easy to be put off by the fancy names and descriptions. The portions are not huge, in fact, apart from the main entree, they are really small, so if you don't like it, it's not like you are wasting all that much. DH and I always make sure we order different things, that way if we don't like our chosen dish, we have a back up plan. If the other will part.

If your DH is a red meat eater, he would have loved the menu we had. I had angus beef for an entree which was great. Duck for a appetizer, which is surprisingly red meat like. DH had Elk tenderloin for his 2nd course, which was fantastic (who knew?) As I said, the descriptions can be really off putting. The duck was described as walnut seared duck with hearts of palm, huckleberry vinaigrette and fourme d'ambert fondue..which is kind of what the.....???????? Basically it was duck with a mild cheese/butter type sauce. If you are struggling with the menu, just ask your server to help you figure it out, they are all really great.

As far as the seafood thing goes, there is one "fish" course, and the appetizers usually includes a fish dish. Again the portions aren't huge, so it's kind of nice to try something you might avoid normally. It's always presented very well, so it can be hard not to just have a little nibble!!

The desserts...wow. I had three, no kidding. It was a sampler of three of their best, the chocolate pyramid, chocolate souffle and a chocolate ice cream. I usually have always had the pyramid, so to try the others too (in little sizes) was great. The souffle was wonderful.

Discuss it with your other half, check out the menu's. It does change, they try to use seasonal produce. My big advice is to not be put off by the description. I usually just look at the main ingredient (the meat part) and decide if I like that or not. If you decide that it's not for you, don't worry about it, you can always get a little dressed up and go somewhere else.

 

[shellybaxter]

I don't like seafood or beans/peas/legume. I loved V&As. I told them of my preferences at time I reserved and asked for a menu that would accommodate my dislikes. They were great about working around my concerns. I LOVED the menu they prepared for me. I also don't care for red wine but wanted to do the wine pairing. No problem. They paired everything (including my Kobe Beef) with white wines that complemented the courses wonderfully. Keep your ressie - you'll love it

 

[Blessedx3]

Thank you all so much. I am going to stick with the reservation. It will be a wonderful evening. And I am positive it will be a GREAT dinner.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Could you please report back as far as your expecations and how you felt about it afterwards.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Yes-please do. I'm always afraid that pure steak and potatoes folks won't like the meal. IF you're expecting that 16OZ NY strip with steak butter and a baked potato--it won't be there. Most likely you will have but one choice of steak and that will be a filet. IF another kind of meat is acceptable, you'll be in better shape at V&A.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

I've seen a few of these types of threads recently. If we're talking about simply picky, "I like this, I don't like that," as opposed to allergies, let me share something.

First, let me say I have not eaten at V&A. I live close to a AAA Five-Diamond restaurant, as well as a restaurant featuring a chef who's won the AAA Five-Diamond award. I have eaten at both.

I used to be a picky eater. Really picky. Eating at one of the Five-Diamond (or even Four-Diamond) restaurants, the kind with these tasting menus, got me over my pickiness.

I don't know. I guess there just comes a point in life where you realize there's more to life than NY strips, baked potatoes and baked white fish. I enjoyed watching the Food Network once in a blue moon and almost got angry with myself because I'd never try half the stuff that was made on the channel.

So I booked one of these tasting menus. I was pretty nervous. Both of our Five-Diamond places are as expensive as V&A. I was questioning spending that kind of money if I wouldn't like what I ate. My only request was that whatever I ate was cooked if it was meat or fish ... and give me some liquid courage in the form of pairings, please.

Let me just say dinner was absolutely amazing. I still love a good NY strip and baked potato, but instead of turning my nose up at something on a menu because I don't know what it is, I'm intrigued and now want to try it. I might never order it again; I might search the earth to have it again. I also now love trying these high-end, fine-dining restaurants with chef menus for special occasions.

So I say go for it. Set up some transportation if necessary, get those pairings, tell your server you're a newbie to gourmet food and hold on, because it's a nice ride. And you'll never forget the meal that popped your cherry and helped you get over your pickiness