Complete Rundown of Victoria and Albert's

Hockey89

Well-Known Member
My GF and I sat in the Queen Victoria room, we were initially terrified at the experience. But the two servers working the room, as well as the Maitre d quickly made us very comfortable. Never mind once we realized the harpist in the main dining room was playing Ozzy Osborne and Bon Jovi. Sure, not many folks realized that, but one lovely lady at a nearby table did and before long, all 4 tables were unafraid to make quiet conversation between each other, especially near the 9th course (10 courses are served in the Queen Victoria room) If offered, take the Miyazaki beef option, like the Dover Sole, it's an upcharge, but so worth it. Also, get the coffee at the end of the meal, not an upcharge, but optional and very fun to watch it pour itself. V&A's is one of the few extravagant things I've ever splurged on that I've not had the tiniest bit of buyer's remorse over.
Th up charge was for the Turbot not the Dover Sole when we were there a few weeks ago.... The Turbot dish is outstanding....
 

StarGirl

Member
Has anyone been since they changed the menu in July to be one menu with between 7 and 12 courses regardless of if in main dining room or QV room?

We ate in the main dining room back in 2015 and I seem to remember we had options on some courses plus a vegetarian menu but more recent menus seem to only have one option with any additional options being an upcharge.

We are going again in October and have QV room. Wwe aren't keen on most but not all seafood. We don't want to miss out on opportunities to try things that we wouldn't normally but there are some things that would be just pushing it slightly. For example I'm wouldn't want to say no shellfish and miss the chance to try langoustine or try a caviar dressing but looking at the menu on Tony The Tigger's post I think crab AND langoustine AND sablefish might be a bit of an overload. And my husband has a bit of a tentacle phobia so would want to avoid all squid or octopus options. Pretty sure last time I did a fish, a shellfish and a veggie option for the fish courses.

Or do I just need to be super specific when they phone beforehand to check allergies etc

I don't want to come across as picky eaters as we're not and, on the whole want to try whatever the chef thinks should be on the menu...just want to know there's a second option if something is just really pushing it for us.

Thanks in advance
 

Hockey89

Well-Known Member
Has anyone been since they changed the menu in July to be one menu with between 7 and 12 courses regardless of if in main dining room or QV room?

We ate in the main dining room back in 2015 and I seem to remember we had options on some courses plus a vegetarian menu but more recent menus seem to only have one option with any additional options being an upcharge.

We are going again in October and have QV room. Wwe aren't keen on most but not all seafood. We don't want to miss out on opportunities to try things that we wouldn't normally but there are some things that would be just pushing it slightly. For example I'm wouldn't want to say no shellfish and miss the chance to try langoustine or try a caviar dressing but looking at the menu on Tony The Tigger's post I think crab AND langoustine AND sablefish might be a bit of an overload. And my husband has a bit of a tentacle phobia so would want to avoid all squid or octopus options. Pretty sure last time I did a fish, a shellfish and a veggie option for the fish courses.

Or do I just need to be super specific when they phone beforehand to check allergies etc

I don't want to come across as picky eaters as we're not and, on the whole want to try whatever the chef thinks should be on the menu...just want to know there's a second option if something is just really pushing it for us.

Thanks in advance
Having just eaten in the VA room, I would imagine you are going to get 4-5 courses of fish.... We called ahead to try to get different options for my pregnant wife. When we spoke on the phone, it seemed they have done it before and they would major changes. to the menu.. We showed up and frankly they did a terrible job... This would never happen at other high end places like the FL 11 Madison ect.... Just out resent experience.... The woman that worked in there was the worst waitress I've ever had a top rated place.... We have always had great people there, but I would never want to see her again.... All in all, this was our worse experience after have 5-6 amazing ones... Maybe just an off night,,,
 

worldfanatic

Well-Known Member
It's an absolutely beautiful & elegant setting.
We went with my wife's aunt & uncle. He's a good guy, but can be a bit crazy at times.
Unfortunately he was in full 'Ace Ventura/Lloyd from Dumb & Dumber' mode during the meal.
It was survivable until he tried to light his fart on fire while laying in the middle of the restaurant floor.

I just walked out....
 

BuddyThomas

Well-Known Member
For specific details, page 11 of this trip report from last year. I'm actually enjoying re-reading this right now!

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads...roke-guys-a-dog-irma-completed.931620/page-11
I just re-read that and forgot how epic it was. I also forgot how expensive it was. $235 per person and then was it $160 per person additional for the wine pairing? That's gulp, $790.00 plus if you leave a 20% tip, it's another $158.00. Total of $948.00! Oh wait. I forgot tax! And if you want a pre-meal cocktail. Or post meal cocktail. Or both. Ahhhhhhhh!!!!! Well, good thing I am practically vegetarian and can't eat most of the stuff on that menu anyway because I don't think I'll ever be able to afford that. But it did look like an amazing evening!
 

Tony the Tigger

Well-Known Member
I just re-read that and forgot how epic it was. I also forgot how expensive it was. $235 per person and then was it $160 per person additional for the wine pairing? That's gulp, $790.00 plus if you leave a 20% tip, it's another $158.00. Total of $948.00! Oh wait. I forgot tax! And if you want a pre-meal cocktail. Or post meal cocktail. Or both. Ahhhhhhhh!!!!! Well, good thing I am practically vegetarian and can't eat most of the stuff on that menu anyway because I don't think I'll ever be able to afford that. But it did look like an amazing evening!

I am mostly vegetarian, too, but not when I’m at WDW!
 

higgipoker

Well-Known Member
... Well, good thing I am practically vegetarian and can't eat most of the stuff on that menu anyway ...

Victoria & Albert's will put on a personalized vegetarian menu for you. We went in 2017 and had an absolutely outstanding 8 course vegan meal.

To the original poster: I think the most important thing (easier said than done, I know) is to relax and enjoy it. Yes it can be a bit intimidating, but what's the worst that can happen? If you do anything considered "inappropriate" just laugh it off. Nobody will make a big deal.

Besides, fine dining is no longer exclusive to the aristocratic class. Apart from the quality of food, setting and service you are getting, it's not really so different from any other nice restaurant in terms of basic manners and etiquette!

My biggest apprehension was not knowing what I could eat and what was garnish! The waiter will describe each dish as he serves it though so it wasn't a problem... and had I been unsure I wouldn't have felt embarrassed at all to ask "this is all edible or is any of it garnish?"

So yeah, have fun, enjoy it and don't be afraid to ask questions. :cool:
 

LuvtheGoof

DVC Guru
Premium Member
We've eaten there multiple times, both in the regular dining room and the Chef's Table. We always get the wine pairing, and it is worth every penny! We're going to try for the Chef's Table again for our next visit, but will certainly take the Queen Victoria's room if it's already booked.
 

DznyGrlSD

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
Yes
Keep in mind that the average clientele at V&A's is probably not as sophisticated as a crowd at other fine dining locations. There will be a certain percentage of folks that are just plain park storming folks from South Dakota, who have never been in such a swanky place. As such, I'm sure the staff are more than used to this, and are willing to accommodate a lot of behavior that wouldn't normally be accepted. Just keep your shoes on, your feet off the table and your napkin in your lap and you should be fine.

Hey...I'm from South Dakota and I resemble that remark when I ate there 2 years ago :P
 

Phonedave

Well-Known Member
Th up charge was for the Turbot not the Dover Sole when we were there a few weeks ago.... The Turbot dish is outstanding....

Mine was Dover Sole. I specifically asked the waiter "Is that Dover Sole, as in Sole from the English Channel, and not re-named flounder from Washington state". that's what started the conversation. He said it was from England and they get it flown in overnight.

For the unaware, if you see a fish in the market called "Dover Sole" and it is anything less than about $25 a pound, then it is not Sole from Dover, but instead fluke or flounder from Washington State that is commonly marketed as "Dover Sole" and is nothing like Sole from Dover.

Did the Turbot have a Meyer Lemon sauce on it? Apparently the lemons come from Scott Hunnel's backyard (or at least so I was told, by the waiter)


-dave
 

Hockey89

Well-Known Member
Mine was Dover Sole. I specifically asked the waiter "Is that Dover Sole, as in Sole from the English Channel, and not re-named flounder from Washington state". that's what started the conversation. He said it was from England and they get it flown in overnight.

For the unaware, if you see a fish in the market called "Dover Sole" and it is anything less than about $25 a pound, then it is not Sole from Dover, but instead fluke or flounder from Washington State that is commonly marketed as "Dover Sole" and is nothing like Sole from Dover.

Did the Turbot have a Meyer Lemon sauce on it? Apparently the lemons come from Scott Hunnel's backyard (or at least so I was told, by the waiter)


-dave
Yes, it had the Meyer Lemon sauce.... It has been on the menu for a long time.... I think I've had it all 7 times I've been....
Real Dover Sole Meuniere with Lemon and Capers is a truly outstanding dish.... Joel R perfected it.
 

HwdStudio

Well-Known Member
It's an absolutely beautiful & elegant setting.
We went with my wife's aunt & uncle. He's a good guy, but can be a bit crazy at times.
Unfortunately he was in full 'Ace Ventura/Lloyd from Dumb & Dumber' mode during the meal.
It was survivable until he tried to light his fart on fire while laying in the middle of the restaurant floor.
I’m still laughing. I am envisioning Cousin Eddie.

In all seriousness this is a fantastic thread. I know I will refer many people to it because quite frankly many people have the same questions.

Thanks to everyone who took time to go into detail. I wish we could “sticky” this thread as it is such a great reference.

I just walked out....
 

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