Searching for an elegant, upscale yet relaxing location for dinner? Well then, your search is over – look no further than Victoria and Albert’s restaurant at Walt Disney World Resort’s Grand Floridian for the pinnacle in fine dining. This is my extravagant, guilty pleasure must go-to spot at least once a year and it has not disappointed. After years of enjoying this treat with my best friend, unfortunately, for my wallet at least, I made the mistake of introducing my daughter to Victoria and Albert’s when she was 17 and her little food loving heart fell in complete love and was spoiled for all time.

Roasted Long Island Duck with Pomegranate, Pistachios and Hearts of Palm

Niman Ranch Lamb with Baby tomatoes, artichokes and olive pesto

The establishment has been a repeat recipient of AAA’s five diamond award for several years running and consistently receives high marks from Zagat. The menu is loaded with high caliber seasonal ingredients from both local and far away markets and reads like a wish list of the ultimate foodie with items such as truffles from Italy, Waygu Beef from Japan, Monterrey Abalone, Niman Ranch lamb and Galilee Osetra Caviar. Each day the freshest market selections are used to create the menu, therefore each visit to Victoria and Albert’s is unique.

Chiogga Beet Charpaccio with peaches and Burrata Cheese

Victoria and Albert’s reigns supreme on the second floor of the WDW Grand Floridian Resort. Patrons are greeted at the door by staff wearing traditional Victorian attire. Right away the serene, elegant ambiance surrounds you and takes you out of the often frenetic amusement park vibe and whisks you away to the epitome of an European Old World Dining room. You will be assigned a two-person wait staff comprised of both a male and a female “butler”.  Due to the limited number of tables (only 14 tables in the main dining room) and the limited reservations, dinners end up feeling as if they have personal butler service throughout the meal which is very attentive without being obtrusive. Each guest receives a menu personalized with their name, date and a congratulations for any special occasion noted on the reservation. Also at the end of the meal, the table is presented with a small plate of hand-made chocolates, the ladies are treated to a single rose and each guest is gifted with a fresh baked goodie (on my last visit it was individually wrapped mini-Cranberry orange Loaves).

18 August 2012 Menu

In order to preserve the elegant atmosphere of the restaurant, there is a dress code. Men are required to wear dinner jackets with dress pants or slacks and shoes. Ties are optional. Women may wear a cocktail dress, nice dress, dressy pant suit or a skirt with a blouse. Jeans, shorts, capri pants, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes are not permitted. Pashmina shawls are sometimes loaned to the ladies if they get chilly in the restaurant.

DIStracted Tip – When making reservations, there are 3 types of service available and each has the additional option of a wine pairing (all prices are current but subject to change):

• Dining Room

Capped by a classic rotunda with a hand painted dome, the dining room is awash with Italian linen, Wedgwood china and exquisite silverware while a harpist plays softly in the background.  There are only 14 tables in this room. Most sized for 2-4 guests. The meal consists of seven courses beginning with a chef’s special amuse-bouche or small bite and ending with a choice of phenomenal desserts. Also, the chef, Scott Hunnel – a James Beard Nominee,  may come out on some evenings to visit with diners and is usually more than happy to take a few moments to chat about the cuisine. My wait staff was even able to get him to sign our menus on one visit and he sent us out an extra special treat during one of the courses due to the compliments we sent to the kitchen.

The Prix Fixe Menu in the Dining Room is $150.00 per Guest and wine pairing is $65.00 per Guest. Pricing does not include tax and gratuity.

V&A: Tanzanian Chocolate Timbale with orange scented milk chocolate gelato

• Queen Victoria’s Room

Just off of the dining room, behind frosted glass doors, is a small intimate area called Queen Victoris’s Room. This venue has just four tables and features French gueridon service in which each course preparations are finished tableside to please and entertain diners. This luxurious experience boasts up to ten carefully selected courses with the 2 person wait staff attending to every need.

Queen Victoria’s Room Prix Fix Menu is $225.00 per Guest; wine pairing is $105.00 per Guest. (Pricing does not include tax and gratuity.)

V&A: Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin and Belly with Verjus-Bacon Vinaigrette

• Chef’s Table

The ultimate in culinary experience is one way to describe the Chef’s Table at Victoria and Albert’s. Guests have a ring side seat in an alcove in the kitchen to witness are granted an up close and personal view of the kitchen delights. Chef Hunnel crafts a personal menu on the spot of up to thirteen courses based on discussions with the Chef’s Table diners over a glass of champagne. The resulting exclusive journey allows for small tastes of the chef’s innovative creations paired with spirited banter and complete when paired with wine. Dinner spans 3-4 hours and is limited to only one party per evening being seated. While the table scan accommodate up to 10 people, reservations can be made for parties as small as 2 people.

The Chef’s Table Prix Fixe Menu is $250.00 per Guest; wine pairing is $105.00 per Guest. (Pricing does not include tax and gratuity.)

V&A: Hawaiian Kona Chocolate Souffle

The menus generally change daily due to market availability, so be sure to make any special dietary requests (allergies, intolerances, vegan etc) at the time of your reservation and reconfirm the day before. I have several allergies and the Chef has been excellent at developing an alternate menu for me where required that is alluring and does not make me feel like I am missing out. Victoria and Albert’s welcomes guests 10 years of age and above and valet parking is available at no additional cost, just have your valet ticket validated at the restaurant.

For your next special occasion or just because it’s Tuesday (or any other day of the week), be sure to visit Victoria and Albert’s! Reservations are required and can be made up to 180 days in advance.