Wishes 10/8/11 WP/GF-- Love's First Kiss-- Trip Report Complete

[One_Song]

For our main course, Brandon and I both selected "Blackmore Wagyu Strip Loin with Oxtail Jus". This was a premium item (you had to pay an additional fee). We were both set on the Wagyu for two reasons: 1) We had heard of this beef and were anxious to try it and 2) Sharon said that none of the other entrees could compare to the Wagyu.

The top right corner is the oxtail jus, the top left is mashed potatoes with a short rib garnish, and the bottom left is a vegetable medley.

Sharon said we should first taste the Wagyu "in its natural state" (no jus) and then to try it with the oxtail jus. Honestly, the Wagyu might be the best thing I have ever tasted. It was so incredibly flavorful-- the perfect blend of savory, salt, and a touch sweet. The texture was smooth, almost buttery. I have dreams about this stuff. We tried it with the sauce, but actually, we were so crazy about the taste of the beef that we preferred it without the jus. The side dishes were good, but it was impossible to think about anything other than the Wagyu.

And it top it off, it tasted amazing with our wine

 

[DisneyShamrock]

Oh my. I think V&A's might just be the most amazing thing I have ever heard about. It looks like you two had a truly fantastic time, and I am so glad DF and I have made the choice to go there. That food looks delicious!

 

[One_Song]

We took even more time than usual to finish the Wagyu course, and the staff gave us plenty of time afterward to digest and enjoy our wine. By this point, I was incredibly full. Like, uncomfortably, I can't possibly eat another bite full. However, I knew we only had two courses left, and I intended to finish, even if I looked 7 months pregnant when we left!

After we finished the course, I needed to slip out to the bathroom. I didn't think much of it. However, I had barely walked past our table when a host appeared and said "Let me show you to the ladies room, Mrs. Huffman". He walked me to the front of the restaurant and down a short hallway, then held the door for me. Those cast members really are exceptional!

When I got back to the table, I had a new, elaborately folded napkin waiting for me. (I also forgot to mention before: Between courses, your server brings you entire new sets of silverware.) Sharon was also waiting nearby to pull my chair out for me. We have experienced great service before, but never like this. The staff at V&A literally anticipate your needs. It's just phenomenal.

Next, we ordered some coffee. If you go to V&A, you MUST order coffee! It tastes great, but mostly, you cannot miss the presentation.

You should google siphon coffee makers if you're interested in the specifics of how it works. This is my very simple description: The heat from the flame under the brewer heats the water in the lower chamber; the water converts to vapor and expands, forcing into the top chamber, where it enables the brewing process; when the brewing is complete, the flame is removed, and the coffee pours into the bottom chamber. It's really amazing to watch!

Our sixth course was brought while the coffee brewed. We both had a cheese plate.

It was great with the rest of our wine!

 

[One_Song]

After our delicious cheese, it was time for dessert!

I had "Caramelized Banana Gateau". I had asked Sharon to pick the best dessert for me.

Look at that amazing sugar piece!

Brandon had "Tanzanie Chocolate Pyramid with a Champagne-Chambord Truffle".

They were both absolutely delicious, but mine was better! Our coffee tasted wonderful with our sweet desserts.

 

[One_Song]

After dessert, Curtis came by to ask if we were interested in after-dinner drinks. Brandon, being a scotch drinker, was definitely interested!

Curtis told us about several liquors they have at V&A, and he again fascinated us with his take on the history behind the bottles. After much discussion, Brandon settled on a glass of Macallan 30 year. I had to talk Branon into it; I could tell how badly he wanted to try it, but he was nervous about the price. It was fairly difficult for me to track down the Macallan 21 year that I bought him as his wedding gift. I wasn't sure if he would always have the opportunity to try the 30 year. Also, at this point in the meal, the price difference seemed like spending 1) a whole lot or 2) a whole lot plus a little more. And it's the honeymoon, right?

Curtis left the bottle on the table so Brandon could take pictures.

And we sat for a while longer, just enjoying our coffee and Brandon's scotch.

 

[lilsqueakrr]

Yay! Sounds absolutely amazing and delicious. That coffee pot sounds intense. I MUST find one! ;D

Cannot wait to read more luv!

 

[belle2211]

I just booked V&A for our 1 year anniversary in June. I am soooo excited! I have been wanting to go FOREVER and since I had a list of all the restaurants on Disney property and cross them off each time we go to one. I only have 13 left. DH never wanted to go to V&A because of the price but I told him we were going to splurge on our anniversary.

And reading your report has made me even more excited now!!

 

[One_Song]

I LOVE this detailed review. It feels like I'm there with you. And that soup looks amazzzzzzzinggggg.

I also think it was nice of your dad to include the champagne and caviar.

It was nice of him, I was very glad that he wanted to be involved in some way. And Champagne and caviar is very me, it made me happy that he knew something I would like.

Oh my. I think V&A's might just be the most amazing thing I have ever heard about. It looks like you two had a truly fantastic time, and I am so glad DF and I have made the choice to go there. That food looks delicious!

You should be excited, you will have a wonderful time! The food is delicious, but it's the whole experience that is really worth it. I love dreaming about when we can go back!

Yay! Sounds absolutely amazing and delicious. That coffee pot sounds intense. I MUST find one! ;D

Cannot wait to read more luv!

Well, if you have $200 for a coffee pot (wouldn't that be a nice situation ) V&A suggested we look at Sweet Marias. It's a pretty neat site, actually, they have lots of coffee things.

I just booked V&A for our 1 year anniversary in June. I am soooo excited! I have been wanting to go FOREVER and since I had a list of all the restaurants on Disney property and cross them off each time we go to one. I only have 13 left. DH never wanted to go to V&A because of the price but I told him we were going to splurge on our anniversary.

And reading your report has made me even more excited now!!

Oh Andrea I hope you will post about it! I would love to see what new dishes they have then! By the way, you have me curious. I would love to know what your 13 restaurants are (and I think maybe I should start a list, too! That sounds like a fun objective )

 

[One_Song]

After sipping on our drinks for a while, we were ready to head back to our room. As happy as I was enjoying my coffee and the peaceful quiet, I was ready to slip on some pajamas!

It was almost midnight... our dinner started at 8:30! It really didn't feel like that long. We enjoyed ourselves so much that time passed quickly, I guess. That's another nice thing about V&A-- they don't rush you at all. We never felt like we were holding up anyone.

Before we left, Sharon took some pictures for us.

We were the second to last people in the restaurant.

I was sooooo full! I had to waddle from one place to the next!

A bag was waiting for us at the door. It had our menus, our wine bottle, our Champagne bottle, both corks, and a long stemmed red rose for me. We thanked Sharon for making our evening so wonderful, then left.

Back in the room, I changed into comfy clothes. I have never seen my stomach stick out so far. It was a little scary. I don't think I've ever been that full in my life. We both crawled in bed with the intention to watch a little tv, but we gave into sleep almost immediately.

 

[DisneyShamrock]

Michelle, that blue dress is gorgeous! You two look so fancy.

 

[lilsqueakrr]

So, you've talked me into definitely splurging to go there the next time we're in WDW. The $200 coffee pot? Not so much.

You're pictures look fabulous. You are such a beautiful couple!

 

[tinkerbell 766]

Wow my sweet Michelle, V&A sounds and looks amazing!!! Paul and I intend to go there as part my 'Nifty Fifty' celebrations in 2013. I am already looking forward to it immensely!!!
You looked so pretty and as for your stomach sticking out, rubbish!!!! You have a wonderful figure, and wish I had one like it!!!
Paul likes the occasional scotch, and being here within 30 miles of the border of Scotland, he has had the opportunity of doing a few distillery tours and sampling the offerings therein!!! He enjoys Maclallan very much. Not sure if he has sampled the 30 year or not!! I'll have to ask him. You and Brandon must come over and do some distillery tours. Then, of course, you can come visit me in my little cottage too!! What fun that would be!!!
Enjoying the honeymoon TR very much!!!

 

[TabZ]

Oooh my goodness Michelle what an amazing honeymoon and meal you had!

Each time you updated in the last few days I've been showing Paul affirming the fact we are eating there on our honeymoon, what an amazing experience!

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us, and sleep well in the fact of how jealouse we all are of you!!! xxxx

 

[LittleKittyMarie]

What an amazing report! I hope I should have the opportunity to eat there one day. And I must say, what a gorgeous dress!

 

[elleinad16]

Michelle,
Victoria & Albert's sounds fantastic. I can't wait to try it in the future! Thank you so much for documenting the experience and sharing it in such detail.

 

[belle2211]

Oh Andrea I hope you will post about it! I would love to see what new dishes they have then! By the way, you have me curious. I would love to know what your 13 restaurants are (and I think maybe I should start a list, too! That sounds like a fun objective )

Ok..first off...where did you get your dress?? I am in LOVE with it!

As for the restaurants...I need Garden Gallery (Shades of Green), La Hacienda de San Angel (Epcot), Magiano's (Shades of Green), Maya Grill (Coronado Springs), Palio (Swan), Plaza Restaurant (Magic Kingdom), Portabello Yacht Club (Downtown Disney), Raglan Road (Downtown Disney), Shutters (Caribbean Beach), T-Rex (Downtown Disney), Tutto Italia (Epcot), Via Napoli (Epcot), and Victoria and Alberts (Grand Floridian)

If you want to PM me your email address, I can send you the whole list (although keep in mind that I've been keeping it since 2002 so there might be some restaurants on there that are closed. All the new ones are on there though)

 

[One_Song]

Michelle, that blue dress is gorgeous! You two look so fancy.

Thank you! I got that dress three years ago for Brandon's law school formal. It's only the second time I've gotten to wear it, so it felt like that new dress excitement. I feel very pretty in it!

So, you've talked me into definitely splurging to go there the next time we're in WDW. The $200 coffee pot? Not so much.

You're pictures look fabulous. You are such a beautiful couple!

You will love V&A! Brandon and I made the decision to splurge on certain parts of the honeymoon. We're living very simply these few months after (and several more, probably), but I think it was worth it. I know we'll have more time in the future to eat out, go to movies, buy new clothes, and bar hop-- but we don't get another honeymoon.

Wow my sweet Michelle, V&A sounds and looks amazing!!! Paul and I intend to go there as part my 'Nifty Fifty' celebrations in 2013. I am already looking forward to it immensely!!!
You looked so pretty and as for your stomach sticking out, rubbish!!!! You have a wonderful figure, and wish I had one like it!!!
Paul likes the occasional scotch, and being here within 30 miles of the border of Scotland, he has had the opportunity of doing a few distillery tours and sampling the offerings therein!!! He enjoys Maclallan very much. Not sure if he has sampled the 30 year or not!! I'll have to ask him. You and Brandon must come over and do some distillery tours. Then, of course, you can come visit me in my little cottage too!! What fun that would be!!!
Enjoying the honeymoon TR very much!!!

I made the mistake of mentioning your comments to Brandon-- now he is busy "planning" our UK trip! He loves to dream about world travels, it's one of my favorite things about him. I would love to see Scotland, and I'm sure he would be crazy for those distillery tours! I've only been to England once (and just London, I'm such a tourist), however I was very ill for most of the trip. As a result, I spent several days seeing the inside of my lovely London hotel room!! Not quite the trip I had in mind... I would love to give it another go!

Oooh my goodness Michelle what an amazing honeymoon and meal you had!

Each time you updated in the last few days I've been showing Paul affirming the fact we are eating there on our honeymoon, what an amazing experience!

Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us, and sleep well in the fact of how jealouse we all are of you!!! xxxx

Thank you so much! V&A is fantastic, you will definitely enjoy it!

What an amazing report! I hope I should have the opportunity to eat there one day. And I must say, what a gorgeous dress!

Thank you! I would urge anyone to dine at V&A, it's a wonderful experience!

Michelle,
Victoria & Albert's sounds fantastic. I can't wait to try it in the future! Thank you so much for documenting the experience and sharing it in such detail.

Thank you and you're welcome! I love sharing our trip, mostly because I get to relive it, it makes me very happy Writing about V&A did make me awfully hungry, though!

Ok..first off...where did you get your dress?? I am in LOVE with it!

As for the restaurants...I need Garden Gallery (Shades of Green), La Hacienda de San Angel (Epcot), Magiano's (Shades of Green), Maya Grill (Coronado Springs), Palio (Swan), Plaza Restaurant (Magic Kingdom), Portabello Yacht Club (Downtown Disney), Raglan Road (Downtown Disney), Shutters (Caribbean Beach), T-Rex (Downtown Disney), Tutto Italia (Epcot), Via Napoli (Epcot), and Victoria and Alberts (Grand Floridian)

If you want to PM me your email address, I can send you the whole list (although keep in mind that I've been keeping it since 2002 so there might be some restaurants on there that are closed. All the new ones are on there though)

Thank you! The dress is an old Adriana Papell that I bought at Dillards several years ago. I love dresses with beading! And I absolutely want the list! I'll PM you now!

 

[roxysmum123]

Love all the photos, and now have Victoria and Alberts on by bucket list, but I have to ask.... how the heck do you pour coffee from that contraption???

 

[One_Song]

Love all the photos, and now have Victoria and Alberts on by bucket list, but I have to ask.... how the heck do you pour coffee from that contraption???

Haha, fair question! The lower chamber detaches (one half of that black curved bar acts as a handle) and then resembles a typical coffee pot. Thanks for reading!

 

[dreamsdidcometrue]

Ahhhh, the dress. I get butterflies just thinking about it

Before I started shopping, I had specific ideas about what I wanted. Ice white, strapless, mermaid or A-line, with a fair amount of beading. My dress turned out to be none of those things

The week after our engagement, I went shopping in a tiny bridal shop in my hometown. I tried on a couple of dresses that all were some variation of what I described above. I didn't expect to find my dress, but I really had no reaction to the dresses whatsoever.

After we moved to LA, my mom flew out to dress shop with me. We figured we would have a slightly larger selection here than in my hometown with one bridal salon...

We went to a nice shop in Costa Mesa, where I was instantly dazzled by lots of gorgeous dresses. As soon as the consultant heard it was a Disney wedding, she started pushing ballgowns on me. Many were beautiful, but I kept waiting to feel some rush of excitement that never came. This one Lazaro was really stunning, with a fabulous bling-y waist. But for me, it felt like too much dress. I felt swallowed up-- like it was me in a HUGE DRESS. It made me feel a little like I was playing dress up, and on my wedding day, I want to feel like a woman.

I was beginning to think I wouldn't have that special feeling that everyone talks about. I was flipping through a magazine when I saw an ad for Claire Pettibone. If you've seen her dresses you know how different they are. Very vintage and whimsical. I decided to check it out, and luckily the flagship is in LA. The instant I walked in, I had a very positive feeling. The boutique is only two rooms, one consultant, and a lot of Claire Pettibone creations. She makes lingerie, jewelry, bridal accessories, etc. It's all very girly. I tried on a few dresses, and I was feeling much different than in the other stores. All of her dresses are sheaths and slips, and have lots of feminine details. With my romantic Snow White theme, I felt like I was getting closer to what I wanted. Then I put on the most gorgeous dress I've ever seen...


This was exactly how I wanted to look. It is a silk slip with a full lace overlay, and tiny crystal details. I felt very elegant and graceful. Plus it shows off my back, which is one of my best features. I know it's not conventional, and it doesn't have a "wow-factor" (although I really hate that term), but something about it felt so perfect. I felt like I looked beautiful in this dress, not like I had on a beautiful dress. I cannot wait to wear it, and I think Brandon is going to love it

I'm going back to the store to get measured once more before we move, and then they will place the order. I can't wait!

This is such a beautiful dress! My name is Michelle too and I also grew up going to Disney. I feel like we are kindred spirits!