16/05/2018
This is our review of Victoria and Albert's - keep in mind this is our personal review and each menu is always different. Tip 1)Plan ahead. This is a feast we knew we wanted to attend in November of the previous year (during our April trip), we called and started trying to get a reservation and finally was put on the waiting list. The Chef's table is the hardest to get. BUT!! Never give up, we hadn't heard anything 2 months prior to our visit. We picked up the phone and called - just to see - and we got a table reservation. Tip 2)Know before you book which "rooms" are within the restaurant - there are 3 dinning rooms. 1 is the coveted Chef's table (this is not a community style table, so if there is only 2 in your party, only you 2 will be there, feet away from the Chef - conversing and learning about your meals and being served by the Chef and his team personally). There is the Queen Victoria Room - this is "semi-quiet" dinning, limited tables and ONLY serves the 10 course meals. Then there is the main dinning room - there were a few more tables than the QV room, but the Harp player is centrally located in this room and you can choose either the 7 course or the 10 course meal (I will say there is a rumor that only a 10 course will be served). Once we were booked, about 2 weeks before our trip we were called and asked our likes, dislikes, allergies and if we were celebrating anything special. Just so happens I do not like "fish" but do like shell-fish and we were Celebrating our 25th wedding Anniversary. The night of, when you arrive, you will be waiting in the corridor until the Maitre D comes to get you and your party, they will walk you to your table and you will be introduce to your wait staff for the evening. This is a relaxing meal - you eat at your pace and your evening is centered around YOU and your party. Everything down to your wine has a story and a history. You will be offered drinks - they have a fully stocked bar - and you will be presented with your personal menu for the evening. Depending where you are seated - we were in the Main dinning room to get the full experience - you will be asked about your choice of either the 7 course or 10 course meal. You may also have a "wine paring" with your dinner - this means you will either have 7 or 10 glasses of wine (paired with your meal by the Chef). Only 1 of us in our party of 3 did this - also, note to self, this is not a typical dinning experience, if there is a tiny sip in that glass, your wait staff will NOT remove the glass - after all, you are paying a pretty penny for a wonderful glass of wine - until the glass is E M P T Y - it will remain on the table. Apparently our idea of "empty" and their idea of "empty" were 2 different things!! We had 3 glasses with another coming at 1 point in time before we asked why they were not clearing the wine glasses. :-) On your menu you will see items with prices beside them - those are optional upgrades to your menu. It's also important to know, you can select something off other menus at your table. For example - M wanted my 2nd course instead of his, so they allowed him to switch out - at no extra charge. But for 3 ppl at our table, we had 3 different menus, this place really does cater to YOU. As the evening went on, you are attended to very respectfully and carefully. All plates are cleared in unison, and sat almost in the same way. I have seen reviews that the portions are small - I have to say - did anyone really believe you could have 7 or 10 country sized portions and make it through the dinner? This is an experience that they want you to make through the end of, this is not a "doggie bag" experience. The 10 course meal is a "tasting menu" meaning the portions are smaller than that of the 7 course, but again, the point would be to get you through the ENTIRE meal. I was with 2 rather large men - all of use ordered the 7 course and none of us left hungry. Because we were celebrating our anniversary - our menus were printed with our celebration, I was given a rose and we were given a take home dessert by the Chef as a congratulations. I would highly recommend getting the coffee!! The scientific pot that was brought out to brew table side was fascinating to watch! This was without a doubt the most expensive experience yet - for 3 meals, 1 wine paring, drinks and tip - we were $875 dollars. The 7 course meal is $185 per guest, the wine pairing would be an additional $105 per guest, and if you upgrade any of your courses, that would be added on top. The 10 Course meal is $235 per guest with wine pairing at an additional $150 per guest - any upgraded meals would be additional. The Chef's table is $250 per guest with wine pairing at an additional $150 per guest. So, the grand question is, would Adulting Disney do this pricey experience again?? Well, I will say we are looking at options to go again, but this time, be at the Chef's table ;) We were honestly treated like royalty and it was certainly a Grand experience that we highly recommend attending at least once.
