Victoria and Alberts' is it worth it?

[psukardi]

Good to hear the commentary on the wine pairings. DH and I are just not very fond of wine, so we'd definitely being going without the pairings. I worried because we've been to some fine dining establishments where the staff clearly didn't like that we'd rejected the wine pairings. I understand the sommeliers were experts on such matters, but I guess it really ruffled their feathers.

They just get mad because they want a higher bill so you tip more, no more no less

 

[HouCuseChickie]

They just get mad because they want a higher bill so you tip more, no more no less

If we hadn't ordered several cocktails with our meals, I'd say you were right. However, take DH for example: In the meal coming to mind, DH had 3 or 4 glasses of single malt scotch over the course of dinner. So, there was still drink consumption involved, which ultimately raised the final tab amount.

 

[Phonedave]

Good to hear the commentary on the wine pairings. DH and I are just not very fond of wine, so we'd definitely being going without the pairings. I worried because we've been to some fine dining establishments where the staff clearly didn't like that we'd rejected the wine pairings. I understand the sommeliers were experts on such matters, but I guess it really ruffled their feathers.

They actualy have a water menu now - much like a wine menu. Or you can just have their "house" water, which is created to their specs (and is, ahem, on the house)

We had the house water and the wine pairings (but then for us there was no way we were NOT having the wine)

-dave

 

[Phonedave]

So you've never gone to a formal wedding? Not judging your seersucker suit and whatever else you're wearing, just saying in certain parts of the country it's good to have these items. I for one couldn't go to work in anything less than a suit & tie.

I work from home a lot, and when I do go into the office, it's a shirt and slacks.

However I do own a number of sport coats, suits, and a tux. Wedding, funerals, coroprate events, fancy dinners, etc. They all come in handy. I think I paid $120 for my tux, over 15 years ago. It was a rental that I bought the when the new models came out. I had it tailored to fit me (maybe costing $25) and that was it. Just make sure you choose a classic
style - no crazy pleats or ruffles that you will look silly wearing 4 years down the road. I have worn that tux more times than I can count (I also woke up still wearing it - with shoes once - a few times, but thats a story for a different time)



-dave

 

[HouCuseChickie]

They actualy have a water menu now - much like a wine menu. Or you can just have their "house" water, which is created to their specs (and is, ahem, on the house)

We had the house water and the wine pairings (but then for us there was no way we were NOT having the wine)

-dave

Thank you for the heads up on this. I remember eating somewhere where they had a water expert and an extensive water menu. I was game to try one of the recommendations, but DH got the evil eye when he opted to drink the "house" water. To this day, the whole concept really bugs him.

 

[Marijil]

Totally worth it...if i had that kind of dough at 25, i would've gone

 

[Ariel484]

They actualy have a water menu now - much like a wine menu. Or you can just have their "house" water, which is created to their specs (and is, ahem, on the house)

We had the house water and the wine pairings (but then for us there was no way we were NOT having the wine)

-dave

Thank you for the heads up on this. I remember eating somewhere where they had a water expert and an extensive water menu. I was game to try one of the recommendations, but DH got the evil eye when he opted to drink the "house" water. To this day, the whole concept really bugs him.

Yep, last month at V & A I went to use the bathroom right after we were seated and my husband informed me that he chose the pH 6.5 water for us (or 7? I forget). And I was just like "oooookay, good choice??" It tasted fine

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Yep, last month at V & A I went to use the bathroom right after we were seated and my husband informed me that he chose the pH 6.5 water for us (or 7? I forget). And I was just like "oooookay, good choice??" It tasted fine

I guess it bugs me because I've seen enough articles and shows discussing water menus and saying that the differences are so insignificant that it's not worth the extra cost. I think the first time we experienced this was our first anniversary dinner back in the early 2000s and maybe my water palette is just not refined, but I didn't taste anything profoundly different and couldn't help but feel like I was in a bad version of Adam Sandler's The Waterboy. I should have turned to DH and jokingly said "now this is some high quality H2O!"

 

[Ariel484]

I guess it bugs me because I've seen enough articles and shows discussing water menus and saying that the differences are so insignificant that it's not worth the extra cost. I think the first time we experienced this was our first anniversary dinner back in the early 2000s and maybe my water palette is just not refined, but I didn't taste anything profoundly different and couldn't help but feel like I was in a bad version of Adam Sandler's The Waterboy. I should have turned to DH and jokingly said "now this is some high quality H2O!"

Haha, looking back at @Phonedave 's post I'm sure we had the "house" water. I really doubt whatever we had was an extra charge and I don't think they frowned on us for not picking special water. I could have sworn my husband said something about picking it based on the pH. I'll have to ask later.
ETA: Asked the husband and he did indeed pick the house water, with a pH of 6.5

 

[psukardi]

I guess it bugs me because I've seen enough articles and shows discussing water menus and saying that the differences are so insignificant that it's not worth the extra cost. I think the first time we experienced this was our first anniversary dinner back in the early 2000s and maybe my water palette is just not refined, but I didn't taste anything profoundly different and couldn't help but feel like I was in a bad version of Adam Sandler's The Waterboy. I should have turned to DH and jokingly said "now this is some high quality H2O!"

I thought they did a story on 20-20 or something where they took water from a hose and told people it was some fancy water. When I got the water menu, I laughed and said water from the tap was fine.

 

[Phonedave]

I thought they did a story on 20-20 or something where they took water from a hose and told people it was some fancy water. When I got the water menu, I laughed and said water from the tap was fine.

If I sit there and really concentrat, I can tell the difference. But if I am just drinking a glass of water while eating, its all good.

I do some homebrewing and I can say, the water DOES make a difference, but so do a lot of other things.

The house water that V&A serves, instead of tap, is fine with me.

-dave

 

[Phonedave]

Yep, last month at V & A I went to use the bathroom right after we were seated and my husband informed me that he chose the pH 6.5 water for us (or 7? I forget). And I was just like "oooookay, good choice??" It tasted fine

You should have thrown a fit and said "I plan on eating BEEF and you want me to drink 6.5 pH water with it. What are you, crazy? It has to be at least 7.5!"



-dave

 

[bhg469]

When there is so much fanfare around a place for so long, they will go out of their way to make it top notch forever. I never bring my formal clothes, shirts and dress pants and shoes yes, but not ties and jackets. I have never been, judging by the opinions of the place, it is a great experience.

So you've never gone to a formal wedding? Not judging your seersucker suit and whatever else you're wearing, just saying in certain parts of the country it's good to have these items. I for one couldn't go to work in anything less than a suit & tie.

.... . ....... .....

And as far as criticizing someone for pre checking the menu... If I see "deconstructed" anything on a menu I will save myself the time and not go to that place. I won't go anywhere that cooks with a 3d printer so yes, it is fine. I'm familiar with very nice dining establishments and yes it is well within one's right to check out a place before he goes.

 

[Ariel484]

Not to be all, "hey everyone, look at my trip report!" but I'm in the middle of posting about our dinner at Victoria & Albert's on January 3...in case anyone is interested. I wasn't sure I needed to start an entire new thread on it here in the dining section. The first post about it is near the bottom of this page.