Victoria and Alberts - Table for One, again

[ehagerty]

Thought I would take a moment before starting the rest of my day to post pictures from last night. Due to limitations of my right hand, this will be mostly pictures, and little commentary....

This was an unplanned quick return visit to the World (from Oct F&W). I even held off a couple of weeks before making this reservation - but here I am, again.

 

[ehagerty]

Entryway

Outside decorations

Christmas Tree

Gingerbread House

.

 

[ehagerty]

... with Christmas Tree in background

With bubble-water and Peper Heidsieck, Cuvee 1785 NV Brut

Side-Bar - I am not a huge sparking wine fan, probably because there are so many mediocre ones out there - but I really liked this one. Sherry noted that Israel secured a limited number of cases for this year, and that the bottles are likely to be gone by New Year's. So, if this is something you think you would like, and you are planning a meal there in the next few weeks, you may want to considering reserving a bottle (if it is possible!).​

... and the roses, with holiday greens, and the tree twinkling in the background ...

... harpist and after dinner drinks ...

.

 

[ehagerty]

Salmon panna cotta, Scottish smoked salmon with olive oil and Meyer Lemon drizzle, crab

Baguette, butter

.

 

[ehagerty]

Masago Crusted Gulf Shrimp with Ponzu Vinaigrette

Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2012​

Best view to see layers

Presentation, as it was meant to be seen (includes wasabi on the right side)

Note: Sherry substituted the Sauv Blanc for the original pairing, which was a Riesling, because she knows I like the Merry Edwards... another new favorite!​

.

 

[ehagerty]

Diver Scallop, Maine Mussel and Lobster Cioppino with Fennel Nage

Paco and Lola Albarino Rias Baixas 2012
Sample: Bloomfield Vineyards Viognier, Contra Costa County 2010​

Presentation view

Side-bar: On a related noted, I actually recognized the wine bottle Sherry showed as one I tasted during the F&W Beverage Serminar.

Rebecca Bloomfield, with the Viognier, Pinot Nior and Cabernet Sauvignon bottles lower right

.

 

[ehagerty]

Braised Oxtail and Cherry Ravioli with Roasted Red Peppers

Highflyer Centerline Syrah Blend, Napa 2008​

Presentation View

Seasonal Favorite - truffle brioche and truffle butter (patiently waiting for a light toasting, in my room fridge, for lunch)

.

 

[ehagerty]

Herb Crusted Lamb with Caramelized Turnips and Swiss Chard

Gigondas Domaine du Grapillon d'Or, Rhone 2010​

At this point, we've added Chef Erich's grain bread. I'm now "behind" two breads, 3 butters, and 4 wines...

.

 

[ehagerty]

Sottocenere Al Tartufo, Wyngaard Chevre Affine, Colston Bassett Stilton, Sparkenhoe Red Leicester

Ferreira 10 Tawny Port​

- along with all the other wines I could not finish!!!

.

 

[DisneyBelle99]

Entryway

Outside decorations

Christmas Tree

Gingerbread House

.

Thanks for posting those beautiful GF pictures. Brings back lovely memories! It is a glorious place to be at Christmas time!

 

[wiigirl]

Beautiful pics!

 

[ehagerty]

Hawaiian Kona Chocolate Souffle

Jack, drizzling chocolate into the souffle

"Celebes" Coffee

Note - I've often bemoaned the fact that I could never get a good shot of this device because all the glass causes so much flash bounce-back. Glad to see the new camera body kinda captures it with available light. This is probably only interesting to the camera people in the audience......

Note: Of course, I did not want to drink too much coffee at this hour - so when I mentioned that I would like to have it the next day as iced coffee, Sherry found a way to help me transport it!! Yeah - I have much to look forward to today!



Friandise (also known as tomorrow morning's breakfast dessert)

Left to right - salted caramel, cookie (also known as my breakfast appetizer this morning), gingerbread (covered in chocolate - eating as I keyboard - more of a truffle like center), chocolate (with pistachio, hazelnut, preserved orange and orange peel - this, I would definitely buy at the gingerbread house if it were available), pomengranate "gum drop"


Apologies - I did not spend much time describing the dishes - hand limitations and all - but there are several posts of mine with more details if you want to read them (search for thread starter = ehagerty). Off to the SSR gym to work off the friandise and rehab my hand!

 

[BGK]

Showoff. Grumble grumble.

It never gets old, though, does it?

I was pretty over-the-moon for the Cuvee 1785 myself. Bottles must be breaking or coming up corked...heh indeedy...as they appear to be going faster these days. Last month, Israel seemed to think they'd last through February...

 

[jedijill]

Wonderful pictures as usual! Makes me excited that I made another reservation in May. Yes folks, it is ok to eat at V&A solo!

Hope you hand heals soon!

Jill in CO

 

[ehagerty]

... BGK - no, it does not get old - are you planning to return before the 1785 is gone?

... Jill - glad to hear you're returning in May!

 

[DnA2010]

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing!

 

[BGK]

... BGK - no, it does not get old - are you planning to return before the 1785 is gone?

Sigh...

Unless the 1785 lasts through February, it's unlikely.

I have a good friend who has taken to tormenting me by signing me up for Disney running events. Much to my suprise, I was able to run the whole Animal Kingdom 5K in November in 38 minutes (she was a great running partner and the whole reason I even finished). This despite having run about ten minutes in the aggregate my entire life. We celebrated at V&A that night, then, still fabulously dressed, swayed over to the Magic Kingdom and stayed until midnight. No one in the queue for Big Thunder Mountain knew what to make of us (especially her towering high heels)...

Anyway, we've agreed that we have to celebrate at V&A after these events. The next one is the Royal Family 5K on February 23rd. Hence, my hoping that the Cuvee 1785 holds out. I'm going to beg and grovel to Mr. Perez to whatever degree needed to arrange for a bottle to "get lost" somewhere in the wine cellar.

 

[ehagerty]

Sigh...

Unless the 1785 lasts through February, it's unlikely.

I have a good friend who has taken to tormenting me by signing me up for Disney running events. Much to my suprise, I was able to run the whole Animal Kingdom 5K in November in 38 minutes (she was a great running partner and the whole reason I even finished). This despite having run about ten minutes in the aggregate my entire life. We celebrated at V&A that night, then, still fabulously dressed, swayed over to the Magic Kingdom and stayed until midnight. No one in the queue for Big Thunder Mountain knew what to make of us (especially her towering high heels)...

Anyway, we've agreed that we have to celebrate at V&A after these events. The next one is the Royal Family 5K on February 23rd. Hence, my hoping that the Cuvee 1785 holds out. I'm going to beg and grovel to Mr. Perez to whatever degree needed to arrange for a bottle to "get lost" somewhere in the wine cellar.

Do you "run" run - or walk really fast? I can walk 1 m / 15min, but have not tried running! Would love an excuse to return in Feb. Especially if there was 1785 and VnA involved (say you'll consider including me!?!?!)

 

[BGK]

Do you "run" run - or walk really fast? I can walk 1 m / 15min, but have not tried running! Would love an excuse to return in Feb. Especially if there was 1785 and VnA involved (say you'll consider including me!?!?!)

We walked for about two minutes around one of the water stops, and had to slow to a walk where the path got congested once or twice, but we kept an average 5 MPH pace. I suppose some people would call that jogging. Definitely not the heel-toe stride of walking, though.

If you keep a 16 minute mile, then you won't get swept from the course.