Victoria & Albert's July 30, 2022 Review

[tinkerbell1991]

I think it may just be me as everyone seems to love what's on the menu but I find it really underwhelming and disappointing - I just can't put my finger on what it is about it but this has made me reconsider going here in October.

Obviously again I'll say, a lot of people seem to really like the menu and it may just be me on my own but I'm definitely not liking the food choices which is so gutting as I've wanted to visit here for years

 

[MillauFr]

I think it may just be me as everyone seems to love what's on the menu but I find it really underwhelming and disappointing - I just can't put my finger on what it is about it but this has made me reconsider going here in October.

Obviously again I'll say, a lot of people seem to really like the menu and it may just be me on my own but I'm definitely not liking the food choices which is so gutting as I've wanted to visit here for years

Is it you find the food choices a bit too pedestrian for a multi course tasting menu? I'm sure the chef feels some pressure not to go too far out on a limb at Disney.

 

[tinkerbell1991]

Is it you find the food choices a bit too pedestrian for a multi course tasting menu? I'm sure the chef feels some pressure not to go too far out on a limb at Disney.

Maybe. I think part of me thinks some of the courses aren't anything special. I'm not expecting lobster and caviar every course but that watermelon one especially is just a big no. I think as well with the price increase (which I was already aware of) is just something else to add to my decision on not wanting to go but I can't still wait to read reviews and experiences from it

 

[MillauFr]

Maybe. I think part of me thinks some of the courses aren't anything special. I'm not expecting lobster and caviar every course but that watermelon one especially is just a big no. I think as well with the price increase (which I was already aware of) is just something else to add to my decision on not wanting to go but I can't still wait to read reviews and experiences from it

Well maybe they can open a Spain pavilion at Epcot and bring back El Bulli.

 

[CalOilerGurl]

Everything looks so beautiful and delicious! Thank you so much for sharing.

 

[redc]

What a wonderful review of your experience. It is precisely what so many of us needed. Great photos and words. Thank you.
Booked ours yesterday at the 67-day mark for Oct 5. Cannot wait.

 

[helenm29]

Now here is one of the most interesting choices I had to make - go for the $150 (8 course) or $200 (10 course) wine paring option or order the "zero-proof" beverage paring for $140 (10 course).

Honestly, this was initially a tough choice as I have done lots of wine parings and I am sorta a lightweight drinker and tend to get a little dozy after long dinners with lots of wine, even though it represents about 3 full glasses, it is always an enjoyable experience to enjoy a tasting meal with fine wines pared for the meal and that is the logical option to choose.

However, I have NEVER tried a "Zero-proof beverage" tasting menu and asked for more information on this option and they explained that it was a unique experience of hand crafted non-alcoholic drinks with a variety of exotic flavors and each drink was created unique to each dish and I first thought the $140 extra charge was a little excessive, so I initially passed on that option, but after drinking the Jasmine Aperitif that was given to everyone when they first entered the dining room, I changed my mind and decided that this single drink was so good and if the rest of the zero-proof drinks were similar, this would be something very interesting to try and boy oh boy was I in for a treat.

Let me STOP right now and state that I 1000% recommend the Zero-proof beverage tasting option for your meal at V&A and I was so completely blown away with the flavors, stemware, and story behind each drink, I gradually began to look forward to the next drink more than the next entry of food. This is not any complaint about the food at all as it obviously was spectacular, but I have dined and many Michelin 2 and 3 star restaurants and love the food and wine parings, but have never had a zero-proof beverage pairing before and it was so well done at V&A that I am at a loss for words to describe how delicious and unique each drink was and can only tell everyone to at least have one person order this option as this was the absolute the pièce de résistance for me and I can not overstate how wonderful this beverage paring was.

I am SO glad you did the "Zero-proof beverage" tasting! I am not a wine drinker and really didn't want to go with just water/tea so I have been mulling around that idea.....now, I am sure I want to do it when we go next month! thanks for all of the amazing information and pictures! We will be doing a little bit of a different dining....The Chef's Table but I'm sure they have the same type of drink offerings. SO glad you had a good time!

 

[helenm29]

Course #2/10

Royal Belgian Caviar, Cauliflower Panna Cotta

Zero proof beverage was Yuzu Seltzer

View attachment 689618

I'll have to remember to tell them that I don't do Caviar lol

 

[helenm29]

V&A serves a special 100 year old aged balsamic vinegar (retails for about $1,200 per bottle) called Giusti 100 and each bottle is numbered and finished by hand, stored in its precious individual box with a small blown glass pipette. They only give you a drop or two with certain dishes and the presentation is pretty cool as they break out the special presentation wooden box.

https://giusti.it/en/prodotto/giusti-100-100ml/

View attachment 689791

View attachment 689792

Here is my one drop....yes it had a very intense flavor that was quite special.

View attachment 689793

Wow, that must have been amazing! I just read up on that brand and the history behind it.....Holy cow! that's some special stuff.

 

[helenm29]

Wow.

My husband has been on me to break down and finally book V&A for our 10 year anniversary. I may just need to give in.

If you have a chance to go, DO it! we've been going to V & A since 1990 and yes...it has changed over the years but ALWAYS been top notch food and service! you cannot go wrong!

 

[MillauFr]

And we were stupid enough to read this review before lunch... <sigh!>

So glad to see, secondhand though it was, that our favorite WDW restaurant is back again.

I thought your favorite was the tasting menu at Hoop Dee Doo?

 

[DVC Doctor]

I am SO glad you did the "Zero-proof beverage" tasting! I am not a wine drinker and really didn't want to go with just water/tea so I have been mulling around that idea.....now, I am sure I want to do it when we go next month! thanks for all of the amazing information and pictures! We will be doing a little bit of a different dining....The Chef's Table but I'm sure they have the same type of drink offerings. SO glad you had a good time!

The "Zero-Proof beverage" paring was the real surprise for me as I have never done this before and every drink was so complex and so unique and so tasty that is completely surprised me at every sip and the flavors were so interesting that I am now recommending this over the wine parring.

 

[DVC Doctor]

I think it may just be me as everyone seems to love what's on the menu but I find it really underwhelming and disappointing - I just can't put my finger on what it is about it but this has made me reconsider going here in October.

Obviously again I'll say, a lot of people seem to really like the menu and it may just be me on my own but I'm definitely not liking the food choices which is so gutting as I've wanted to visit here for years

Well, I am not sure what to advise, but the "Langoustine Tartelette, Watermelon, Finger Limes" was one of three items on the first course and it was wonderful. This dinner is very expensive and not for everyone and I understand that. However, if you really wanted to dine there, you should also consider ordering the "zero proof" beverage parring as it adds an entire new level of flavors to each dish.

 

[Lisann]

I think it may just be me as everyone seems to love what's on the menu but I find it really underwhelming and disappointing - I just can't put my finger on what it is about it but this has made me reconsider going here in October.

Obviously again I'll say, a lot of people seem to really like the menu and it may just be me on my own but I'm definitely not liking the food choices which is so gutting as I've wanted to visit here for years

They use pristine ingredients, only the best and freshest, and there is an enormous amount of labor involved, and you are basically being pampered with food. You really can't look at it as just "watermelon", etc.

I went to a sushi restaurant with a friend of mine, the best sushi in the world outside of Tokyo, called Nobu Malibu. Now, I don't like sushi, not a fan, but I went with an open mind...after all, it's "just fish". I can tell you hands down, even though I will not be back, that I have never in my life tasted any food as wonderful as that night...so fresh and flavorful, that had I jumped in to the ocean and took a bite out of the tuna, it still wouldn't have been any fresher and/or flavorful and beautiful than what I had that night.

The choices may not be to your liking, but the talent and artistry and ingredients behind this culinary experience is something that most will never forget.

 

[helenm29]

The "Zero-Proof beverage" paring was the real surprise for me as I have never done this before and every drink was so complex and so unique and so tasty that is completely surprised me at every sip and the flavors were so interesting that I am now recommending this over the wine parring.

CANNOT wait to try it.

 

[MillauFr]

This dinner is very expensive and not for everyone and I understand that.

Actually the prices are low for what you are getting. There is no way that place makes any money at all. It is probably the worst performing restaurant profit/loss wise at Disneyworld. El Bulli was charging $325 back in 2000 and $150 for the wine pairing for a similar concept. They place lost massive amounts of money and was only propped up by the check selling cookbooks. They finally had a close even though they got 2,000,000 million reservation requests per year for 8,000 seats.

 

[quanta@optonline.net]

I've been to V&A a number of times over the years, and ate there on my wedding night in 2013. It is still one of the more memorable dining experiences of my life. The last time we went (2016) the food was exceptional, but the service and atmosphere were abysmal. Prices went up, they no longer took TIW, and we got the distinct feeling of being hustled. Maybe it was a one-off bad night, but for the price I have Michelin-star restaurants at home in NYC to try instead. Not to rain on other's parades, but I will not be returning.

 

[reddog21]

Well.......the bread and butter look good!!

 

[Genie+]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us! We were decided to finally experience V&A’s next trip when 2020 hit. Someday

If anyone visits NYC and interested in trying Japanese siphon coffee, my family had a great time at HiCollar in the east village. Tried the hotcakes, fruits sandwich and Tomago sandwich for a light brunch. Very comfortable atmosphere. Highly recommend.

 

[DVC Doctor]

Here are two pictures of the Chef's Table Room (not available for booking yet)