Originally Posted By dshyates From Disney press release: LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – True Disney foodies know you haven’t arrived until you’ve dined at the crème de la crème of restaurants – Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. But now the top-rated dining room has a new “must do”: the gorgeous Queen Victoria’s Room. Queen Victoria’s Room is behind closed doors just off the main dining room. With just four tables, restaurant manager Israel Perez promises attention to your every whim. They’ve brought back French gueridon service – a gueridon is a fancy rolling cart that goes from table to table for customized service and “wow” factor – a flourish of Himalayan sea salt atop your filet, a decadent wine sauce or a lavish display of cheese, for instance. Anyone who’s tasted Chef Scott Hunnel’s exquisite creations knows this is a memorable affair. How often do you savor perfectly seared Kurobuta pork tenderloin and belly, or butter-poached lobster with bisque and lobster roe foam? And vegans and vegetarians are Hunnel’s favorite challenge. The sommelier happily will pair something delicious with each of the 10 courses. Yes, 10 courses, but they’re small. Still, plan on three to four hours of leisurely dining. It’s worth the price of a baby-sitter – no kids under 10 are allowed in the dining room, so you’re guaranteed an evening of blissful quiet. Be advised, men must wear jackets (tie optional) for this formal affair. You’ll float out the door with a long-stemmed rose for women and personalized menus for everyone to carry home. Cost for Queen Victoria’s Room is $200 per person, plus $95 for wine pairings. The restaurant has its own reservation line, 407/939-3862. There is just one seating nightly.
Originally Posted By MPierce I'm sure it's great, but I just don't think I have enough European blood, still flowing in my veins to sit at a dining table for 3 to 4 hours. A 10 course meal seems a bit much to me. Even if each course is small. Now I wonder if we are going to have to listen to Spirit go into his rant about all the fat people that are already in WDW. Probably not, he is a snob about high class dining. Now if it were a 10 course meal at McDonald's, bar the door Nellie! I wonder what a 10 course meal would consist of anyway? I do hope someone here at LP experiences it, and reports back though.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy Sounds like they replaced the previous offering of the "chef's table" with something that accommodates more people (and probably costs more).
Originally Posted By MPierce >> It's all about the $$$$. << It always is with WDW. Sport Goofy does bring up an interesting point. Will this replace the Chef's Table or be an addition?
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << It's all about the $$$$. >> It's probably more about demand. The previous "chef's table," couldn't accommodate very many people. As word got out about this feature, I'm sure there were a lot of people who requested it and didn't get it. If Disney can accommodate more guests for something that is in high demand, it would be silly to not take advantage of the opportunity.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I'm sure it's great, but I just don't think I have enough European blood, still flowing in my veins to sit at a dining table for 3 to 4 hours. A 10 course meal seems a bit much to me. Even if each course is small. Now I wonder if we are going to have to listen to Spirit go into his rant about all the fat people that are already in WDW. Probably not, he is a snob about high class dining. Now if it were a 10 course meal at McDonald's, bar the door Nellie! I wonder what a 10 course meal would consist of anyway?>> Put down the chicken mcnuggets and listen: V&A's is truly amazing. I almost want to say worth every penny, but that's subjective. Some of the courses can be tiny, but the meal itself is just an ... experience ... of flavors ... often mixing in ways you'd never think of. Scott also tailors his menus for the patrons ... so if you hate (fill in the blank) ... or can't eat (this thing, that thing and that one too) ... you'll still have the same amazingly prepared culinary journey. It's not somewhere I'd go regularly (although it would be nice once or twice a year), but I can't praise the place enough. One of the very few things about WDW that lives up to the hype. Oh, and having no brats around and having to actually dress up, is nice too!
Originally Posted By mousermerf Did you know regular agents aren't allowed to make VA ressies? It goes to CMs specially trained in handling that particular restaurant.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Put down the chicken mcnuggets and listen: V&A's is truly amazing. I almost want to say worth every penny, but that's subjective. << Actually I've never had a chicken nugget from anywhere. >> Scott also tailors his menus for the patrons ... so if you hate (fill in the blank) ... or can't eat (this thing, that thing and that one too) ... you'll still have the same amazingly prepared culinary journey. << I'm sure it's very good, but is it worth 50 Jumbo Jacks with cheese with 50 sides of curly fried or 400 greasy Jack taco's or 200 BK double cheese burgers? >> Oh, and having no brats around and having to actually dress up, is nice too! << Most times when I went out to dinner, when I was in my 20's, and 30's, I would dress up. Times were different then. I prefer a much more casual experience now.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Did you know regular agents aren't allowed to make VA ressies? It goes to CMs specially trained in handling that particular restaurant. << Interesting information Merf. I guess that's to make the person fixing to drop that kind of money feel special.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I'm sure it's very good, but is it worth 50 Jumbo Jacks with cheese with 50 sides of curly fried or 400 greasy Jack taco's or 200 BK double cheese burgers?>> As with anything, it depends on the person. Some people don't appreciate fine dining and would be happier with a Big Mac. But others want the best that life has to offer, and that's when a place like V & A steps in.
Originally Posted By Labuda re: post #7 IIRC, Spirit, the time you and I dined there was your first visit. I'm glad to see you love it as much as I do. So, wanna to the Queen Victoria Room together sometime? If I'm not mistaken, I think you, Xina, and me spent 3 or 4 hours on our 7-course meal, so I bet we could push this 10 course meal to 5 hours EASILY.
Originally Posted By Labuda ">> Oh, and having no brats around and having to actually dress up, is nice too! << Most times when I went out to dinner, when I was in my 20's, and 30's, I would dress up. Times were different then. I prefer a much more casual experience now." Ditto, but dressing up to go to V&As while you're in super casual vacation mode is a nice treat.
Originally Posted By Labuda mousemerf - no need to wait to be invited - just go by yourself! While I've dined with others most f my visits to V&A, I've been there solo at least twice. And when I was, Israel still treated me wonderfully, as did my V & A. It really is a wonderful experience. And the male harpist that plays there is just amazingly talented. You can get a CD of his down in the lobby fo the Grand Flo, or if you request it of the staff, they'll run down and buy one for you and bring it to your table and get him to sign it. It really is a lovely experience. Don't let being alone stop you from doing it!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> *sigh* I just don't find the parks much fun alone. << You can go to McDonalds alone Merf, and there's always other people there willing to join you on the playground.
