Review of Victoria and Albert Walt Disney World – Fine Dining at Disney
Victoria and Albert’s is located in Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, (Orlando, Florida). For priority seating arrangements or for more information, call (407) WDW-DINE (939-3463).
Victoria and Albert is a fine dining establishment at Walt Disney World’s premiere luxury resort, The Grand Floridian. The décor is classic and elegant, graced with columns and lush draperies. An ornate floral arrangement decorates the entrance to the intimate, rounded room and the lighting is soft and romantic. This is the ideal setting for a proposal, and anniversary, or any other very special occasion. Note for families: While children are not prevented from dining here, unlike almost any other restaurant on the Disney property, Victoria and Albert’s is not at all family oriented in terms menu, setting, or tone.
Food: Victoria and Albert’s offers a prix fixe menu ($95.00) prepared daily by Chef Scott Hunnel. For each course, you have a (challenging) choice from a list of between two and five items, each of which promise to be delectable. Certain items, such as caviar, are offered in addition to the prix fixe menu. Of course, wine is not included in the $95.00 price. You may peruse the very thick, world-class wine list or choose the wine pairings option, available for $50.00/person (we have enjoyed the latter in the past, a chance to enjoy a variety of exceptional wines). Piping hot, freshly baked rolls are continuously brought to your table and are difficult to resist. Rest assured that what is coming next is worth saving room for.
For our first course, we had the Iranian Beluga Caviar with Traditional Garnish ($70.00/ ½ oz. or $140.00/ 1 oz.) and the Cape Canaveral Shrimp with Rutabaga and Petit French Lentils. The presentation of the caviar was fantastic, and the caviar was of course accompanied by a delicate mother-of-pearl spoon.
For our second course, we tried the Nantucket Scallops with Fennel and Satsuma Tangerines and Salsify. The scallops were wonderfully tender, and the Satsuma tangerines provided a gorgeous deep orange-red color and zesty taste.
We chose the Gamebird Consomme with Pheasant Sausage for the soup course. The flavorful broth was elegantly served at our table from a teapot and poured over the pheasant sausage.
My husband enjoyed the Colorado Lamb Loin prepared medium rare with Gnocchi and Heirloom Tomatoes, and Elephant Garlic Jus. I had the Grilled Prime Filet, also prepared medium rare and served with Celeriac Root-Potato Puree and Burgundy Reduction. My knife went through the beef like butter, no exaggeration, and the sauce perfectly balanced its rich taste with that of the beef. We were surprised at the entrée portion size, which seemed quite generous for a mulit-course meal such as this.
The cheese course consisted of creamy textured Colston Bassett Stilton with an inspired Black Mission Fig Chutney. And dessert, after all of the delicacies above, was another heavenly treat. While, my husband had the Hawaiian Kona Chocolate Soufflé, I melted over the Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee. The Caramelized surface was absolutely divine, the stuff of dreams!
Victoria and Albert’s provides outstanding food with beautiful presentation. Any occasion spent here will certainly be special and memorable.
Exceptional Features: Impressive wine list. Each guest is given a personalized copy of the evening’s menu. We were pleased with this elegant souvenir presented on Victoria and Albert’s custom paper in a heavy, leather-like outer cover. Also, a gorgeous long-stemmed rose is offered to each lady as she leaves.
Service: Your servers will likely be very formal, attentive and efficient befitting the Victorian theme of the restaurant and the award-winning, elegant menu. However, not to stray completely from Disney fantasy, all of the female servers go by the name “Victoria” while all of the male servers go by the name “Albert”. You will be waited on by at least one of each.
Dress Code: Formal. Jackets are required for men (tie optional), and dress or pantsuit for ladies.
Price: High. A prix fixe menu is prepared daily at approximately $95.00 a person. The wine pairings offering is $50.00, and the wine list carries a range of high-end wines.
Reservations: Priority seating arrangements and credit card number is required; a cancellation fee applies. Guests are requested to arrive a few minutes before their seating time. Note that you should plan to spend about two and a half hours at dinner, allowing time for the many elaborate courses and also to simply enjoy the intimate ambience.
Overall Dining Experience: Excellent.
