Victoria & Albert

**Wendy** · 01-04-2012, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by Tink

Norman's, The Venetian (Room), some say Le Coq au Vin...

Is this somewhere we could go

**uscwest** · 01-04-2012, 07:43 PM

Tink, Donna is a relatively picky eater. No game, seafood of any sort, no veal etc. Chef Hunnel and his staff will work with you to ensure you have a wonderful experience.

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**Tink** · 01-04-2012, 08:00 PM

Oh, I know John.

Wendy, they are very lovely places, and quite pricey. You and Chris may like to do one for a special celebration! (Anniversary, that sort of thing).

**Britchick** · 01-04-2012, 09:41 PM

Tink I think you just hit the nail on the head as to why I've never been able to commit! After the disappointment of the California Grill i didn't want to pay that much to be disapointed. It's not about the cost it's about disappointment really. Now I know a superb place in the Isle of Skye that I'd pay a lot more for LOL

**Keith** · 01-04-2012, 10:00 PM

My most often used phrase these days seems to be "can be variable" but I'd truly say that V&A food wise has always been nothing short of superb.

As I say, I've found the service a little cutesy at times, although it's much better now.

It's nothing like the california grill, much as I like CG, it's another level altogether

**Keith** · 01-04-2012, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Tink

Norman's, The Venetian (Room), some say Le Coq au Vin... http://www.lecoqauvinrestaurant.com/pdfs/dinner.pdf

I SO wish I'd asked this before

they ALL look wonderful

**BUTTERHEAD1** · 02-04-2012, 01:37 AM

V&A is one of the few things that I have always wanted to experience but never have. My wife is not an adventurous diner and won't eat anything outside of her comfort zone which is Steak and Chicken. We have been married almost 18 years and this year I was able to get her to eat a shrimp. I would hate to spend 400 dollars to watch her not eat.

**Keith** · 02-04-2012, 10:24 AM

All I can say is that before I went I had exactly the same fear.

I'm very unadventurous in food sadly. I don't eat vegetables at all, never have (not proud of it, just the way it is ) I won't do squidgy things like oysters etc.

Despite all that, I was delighted the first time I went there. They worked with me, very low key and nicely, to slightly tune what was offered on each course to be something I'd like.

Now, that first time therefore, there was a lot more chicken/steak, sauce on the side than there would normally be but that's fine.

Over the subsequent trips, although I've still swapped things around, I've come to understand the pleasure in experiencing the combination of subtle tastes as planned by a great chef. Now, I still often swap out a fish course for another of the meat course options (so I end up with two meat course options and no fish), but I now do try more of the sauces as they intended and I worry less about the bits that come with the courses if that makes sense, I'll try them now.

I wouldn't want to encourage anyone to spend loads of money if they really don't like the look of it and last time I posted photos, it prompted absolute horror at the portion sizes from some folks

but I do think it's a shame not to try it because if you give them the chance, they really do try extremely hard to make sure the experience is enjoyed even by fussy eaters like me.

**Deb** · 06-04-2012, 10:16 AM

Despite this upcoming trip now being on a budget. we are keeping our reservation at V&A. It is going to be my birthday present and meal as neither of us wanted to cancel. I have a few fussy food things - I am allergic to chilli in any form, don't eat fish (though eat shellfish) or offal, don't like many vegetables, but this is never an issue. The service is incredible, yet totally unstuffy, and we ask for the same servers each time. Jack and Sherry are a married couple, and always have a good old chat with us as well as simply doing waitery-type things. They really do know their food and wine too, not just what they need to know for their work. As for the portion sizes being small? Well, if they were any larger then we couldn't eat all of the many courses! And that would be a bad thing

We still seem to come away with some sort of doggy bag from there, even if it is the chocolates from the coffee service.

Last time we were there the lady harpist, who is amazing, was playing a selection of songs by people like Nirvana, The Killers and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Sherry said they loved her as she played cool stuff, but the diners who simply loved the sound of the beautiful background music didn;t even notice!