Victoria and Alberts

[robmags]

Wanted to get opinions from anyone who has had dinner at V&A. Want to do a special dinner with my wife. Thanks.

 

[Mister Disney]

There are tons of us on the DIS that are V&A fanatics.

What would you like to know?

 

[robmags]

I really don't know much about V&A, except what I have read in a few travel books. Any and all information (menu, ambiance, ect) would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Most of the reviews tend to be of the Chef's Table.

Basically you get a seven course meal, hot and cold appetizers, soup, fish, entree, cheese and dessert. It takes about 2½ hours. The dining room is very elegant and subdued. The tables are larger than normal. The entertainment is a harpist (who also does requests). Your servers used to all be maids named Victoria and butlers named Albert, however AAA commented to them that it was a bit hokey and so now they have real names.

The menu is read to you, as well as you are given a personalized menu to keep. It is the little touches that count, such as use of bottled water only. Unlike some fancy dining where there is a large array of silverware at each place setting, as each course is served they will bring the correct utensils so you don't have a problem. They will go so far on this that if you are having a clear soup it will be served in a two-handle consomee cup with a round spoon, while a cream soup will be in a flatter bowl with flat edge and an oval spoon.

The restaurant is small but roomy; the maximum capacity is only 67 people, and a normal seating has about 45. There is lots of room between the tables.

I can go on and on. However, it is one of only 46 restaurants in the country that AAA have given a five Diamond award to. It is probably like nothing you have done before. Here are some recent menus to look at.

Note the wine pairings, which are an option. Some of the items, both food and wines, are over and above the $100 (plus $55 for winie pairings). You can order wines by the glass or bottle, but many people have said that the pairings are really right for the food as prepared. Last time I was there, the Maitre'D, Isreal Perez, mentioned that he is one step away from being ranked as a Master Sommolier and he is the one who selects the pairings.

 

[robmags]

Thanks so much for the info. Sounds like an amazing dining experience. I'm going to try for the Chef's table, however I imagine it's difficult to get a reservation.

 

[webray]

If you want to do a special dinner with your wife, then I would get a ressie at the Chefs Table. The acoustics in the main dining room are terrible. It sounds like someone is sitting on your shoulder and whispering in your ear the whole time you are eating dinner. You get conversations from everyone around you. Very annoying. While the food is fantastic, we won't eat in the main dining room again.

Chefs table on the other hand..we love and will eat there again.

 

[robmags]

How hard is it to reserve the Chef's table? I am going at the beginning of December.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

There is only one reservation per night for the Chef's Table. It is almost impossible to get.

I've never noticed any noise problems in the main dining room. Also, the main dining room is very subdued and romantic while the Chef's Table is in an alcove at the kitchen and very noisy and lit by bright flourescent lights. I think CT is better for people who (a) have eaten in the main dining room before, and/or (b) are fairly serious about their cooking and want to see what goes on in a great kitchen.

 

[OKW Lover]

Wanted to get opinions from anyone who has had dinner at V&A. Want to do a special dinner with my wife. Thanks.

Without knowing what you and your wife are looking for, its very hard to give recommendations. I'd suggest you first do a search for V&A threads here on the DisBoards and read other's experiences. You should then compare them with your values (personal and monitary) before deciding. You'll probably also want to look at the menus at www.allearsnet.com