Victoria & Albert - A Once-in-a-Decade Dinner, for the second time in 2009

[ehagerty]

I couldn't stay away - we were so enchanted with our dinner in January (click here for THAT report) that I really wanted to find an excuse to return for our May (annual, official) family vacation. I didn't have to look far - DS only turns 21 once - and that day would be the day, the justification for "V&A, Part 2".

For those who may not already be aware, there are other nights to this story..
Night #1 - Victoria & Alberts - Picture Trip Report (January, 2009)
Night #2 - Victoria & Albert - A Once-in-a-Decade Dinner, for the second time in 2009 (May, 2009) - THIS REPORT
Night #3 - Victoria & Albert - My Dining Scheherazade (September, 2009)
Night #4- Victoria & Albert - Dining Scheherazade Night #4 - "Table for One" (October, 2009)
Night #5 - Victoria & Albert - Dining Scheherazade Night #5 - "Table for One - Again" 23 FEB 10 (February, 2010)

[/INDENT]
Planning Theory

• Tables in Wonderland discount = 20%
• Dinner for 3
• One wine pairing

Today was a travel day. Normally I would not plan anything special on travel day, as it can be a looooong day, on too little sleep, with non-Disney experiences (although Southwest is always good - the service they provide for the prices they charge = amazing). The only other time I tried this - when DS turned 5, at Chef Mickey's (at the Marketplace), we didn't get there in time (American Airlines - flat tire - 1993 - I cried - we rode first class from the layover to Orlando.) Since today was the actual birthday, and Southwest is so reliable, I made the reservation. I'll go back and add punctuation when I have time.

We took the boat from WLV over to the MK, planning to catch the boat launch to the GF. Missed that by a moment and moseyed up to the monorail. While waiting for the monorail, we timed the launch. It takes 4 minutes for the launch to reach the GF dock. Twenty minutes and three monorail stops later, we checked into our 5:30 V&A reservation - at 5:31.

I don't actually remember how Israel arranged the menu - I think we just told him we had no allergies, liked everything, and left ourselves in his and the Chef Scott's remarkably capable hands (you get to meet them later, during the kitchen tour).

I mention that, because there are no pictures to illustrate some of the wonderful moments that make V&A so special. I never gave the menu another thought - and what a wonderful meal unfolded over the course of the next 3+ hours - perfectly paced, perfectly presented, perfectly enjoyed.

Now, for the pictures (thank goodness they provided me with a detailed menu - no WAY I would be able to remember all this):


Dinner setting:








A toast to DS21's 21st birthday:



Yes, he was proofed. He seemed to be pleased. The champagne was delightful. The menu says Pommery Royale Brut NY





Amuse Bouche

A collection of wonders




Item listed on the menu that must not have turned out as pictures (if I find them later, I will modify the post): Trout Custard Baked in Shell - back left.





Heirloom Tomato-Fennel Cream





Knock-out.

I had my fill of Cambell's back in the day - tomato soup with grilled cheese, tomato soup with buttered crackers, tomato soup on Friday - I had it so much - and my mother was so creative at making it appealing, that I actually grew to like it, in the spirit of nostalgia and comfort food. I haven't voluntarily had it since. My point? Don't think "tomato soup, eeeeh" - think "something exquisite I've never tasted before."




Sesame Crusted Big Eye Tuna - two views









Once again, I have to say it - EDIBLE ART!!


So delicious. I suppose if there is "no way" you could ever consume rare fish, you wouldn't be able to like this. But DS19 is not a sushi fan, and he likes it. DS21 and I LOVE it.




Stay tuned, more courses and pictures to come.



.

[ckmommy]

Looks almost to beautiful to eat...almost!! You son is one lucky man!!!

[jeminni]

Looking forward to your review, you always take the greatest pictures. That's a beautiful picture of you and your son. What a great birthday gift.

[luckytobeme88]

Thank you so much for sharing your son's special celebration with us. The food looks amazingly good.

[oybolshoi]

I've said it before and I'll say it again ... you take the best food pictures.

EVER.

I can't even call what you post food porn. It's too beautiful for that.

Just based on your amuse bouche I think I want to go back to V&A in October for my birthday.

Thank you!

[engle]

Bring it!!!

[luckytobeme88]

Originally Posted by oybolshoi

I've said it before and I'll say it again ... you take the best food pictures.

EVER.

I can't even call what you post food porn. It's too beautiful for that.

Just based on your amuse bouche I think I want to go back to V&A in October for my birthday.

Thank you!

That's a beautiful quote for a beautiful post. We all love you, Ellen. You rock!

[MariDisney]

We had hoped to go to V&A for our 5th anniversary last month, but we have to save it for a future celebration. For now I shall live vicariously through you!

[TigerKat]

INCREDIBLE as always!!! I can only dream of dining at V&A's.

[chrisw127]

So sweet that you took him to V&A's for his 21st birthday!

Hope you had a wonderful vacation.

[BriarRosie]

Brenda's right. You do take the most gorgeous food pictures. I think you rock as a mom, too.

And based on your amuse bouche, I want to go to V&A for Brenda's birthday, too. (Ok, I still had V&A on the back-burner pending food and wine event info, but this might tip the scale in V&A's favor!)

[oybolshoi]

Originally Posted by BriarRosie

Brenda's right. You do take the most gorgeous food pictures. I think you rock as a mom, too.

And based on your amuse bouche, I want to go to V&A for Brenda's birthday, too. (Ok, I still had V&A on the back-burner pending food and wine event info, but this might tip the scale in V&A's favor!)

Let's do it! Er... as soon as I lose enough weight to fit into something in my closet ...

[ehagerty]

I admit that I don't watch the food or cooking channels. I'd like to, but I don't have time - and/or I have other interests. Someday. Maybe something like this has been around and I just don't know it. Doesn't matter - it was "totally cool" to me.

Applewood "Smoked" Colorado Buffalo with Apple-Radish Salad and Curry

Wine Pairing: Robert Weil "Kiedrich Grafenberg" Spatlese Rheingau 2004

Each of us had this dish place in front of us (simultaneously, of course), then the servers poured some "magic" onto the dish, where it created a dozen little "cloud fountains" with vertical, cycling peaks:







... which settled into a soft haze, shrouding the food in an artistic mist (you can still see the "peaks" against the salad and buffalo in the back left)....







... which eventually (in a minute or two) dissipated. Here, you can see melon (left), tip of white Belgian endive with microgreens and buffalo, as well as the holes in the dish that allowed the liquid to pour through the bottom dish and create the effect.







.... a close up of the trio







... and the apple radish salad








Is that cool, or what!!! INCR-EDIBLE ART!!


Wine Pairing "notes" - This wine is complex and has a distinctive mineral tone. At the same time, it is marked by elegance and finesse. The Kiedrich Grafenberg Spatlese is extremely expressive and has a long finish with perfect balance acidity. It is rich in nuances and well-structured.


..

[MickeyNicki]

You pictures are leaving me speechless....and amazed....I need to try this place!

[Uncleromulus]

You're making it hard for me to wait for my next V&A experience in October
Waiting for more..