Victoria & Albert's to Debut New Queen Victoria Room; Will Offer an Extension of the Chef's Table Experience

Friday, 29 January 2010 15:17

One of the best dining experiences in town, if not the best, is the chef’s table at Victoria & Albert’s. Hosted by executive chef Scott Hunnel, diners are treated to multiple courses -- 13, on average -- of exquisite delicacies, presented in gorgeous and sometimes unusual styles. (The last time I was there, one of the courses was served in bowls made out of salt!)

The problem is it’s one of the toughest tables to book. After all, there’s just one chef’s table, and there are only so many days in the year. (Plus, the table is often held in case VIPs need to be entertained.)

But beginning February 7 four more tables will become available for those who wish to enjoy at least some of the chef’s table experience. That’s when the restaurant will open its new dining area called the Queen Victoria Room. Set aside from the main dining room, the QVR will feature four tables that will be served the chef’s table menu for that evening. The chef’s table’s bill of fare is always different from the food served in the main dining room. The only difference will be the ambience -- the quiet elegance of the dining room as opposed to the quiet elegance of Hunnel’s kitchen. (The dulcet tones of the harpist in the dining room are very nice, but real foodies will still want to sit in the kitchen to watch the cooks at work.)

Also launching soon is a new Web site for Victoria & Albert’s, separate from Walt Disney World’s cluttered and non-user-friendly site. Victoria-alberts.com should be online next week (it’s still undergoing vetting by Disney executives who are trying to look like their opinions matter).

But that’s not all. There’s also a new reservation phone number for V&A -- 407-939-3862 -- that bypasses the central reservation center and goes directly to the restaurant. That’s wonderful news.

Cost to book a table in the Queen Victoria Room will be the same as the chef’s table in the kitchen: $200 per person with wine pairings an extra $95. As with the regular chef’s table, guests in the QVR will have the table for the entire night. (The chef’s table at V&A’s is often a four-hour-plus event.)

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salcorn - More QVR info

|2010-01-29 16:50:53

We were there last night, and dined in the side room that will be repurposed for this (it's the one with the fireplace). Chef Scott indicated that they're going to be doing some redecorating. There will be more table side preparation than we're used to at the chef's table, including fish boning, cheese service from a large, custom made wood platter, and so on. It also sounds like there may be optional courses you can add. The four tables will typically be two-tops, and it sounds like fairly small parties (six and up?) can opt to take the whole room). We've tried top restaurants around the world, but I always seem to end up comparing them to V&A, so it will be exciting to see them take it to the next level.

Scott Joseph

|2010-01-29 17:00:38

I do the same thing. When I was dining at Per Se in New York, I kept thinking, "I can get food like this at Victoria & Albert's." (OK, so I can't look out on Columbus Circle and Central Park, but the food is just as good.) And yes, there will be lots of tableside service and things on carts in the new room, which Hunnel describes as "almost a restaurant within a restaurant."

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