REOPENING TOMORROW – Disney’s Beloved Fine Dining Restaurant Victoria & Albert’s Returns
Tomorrow is an important day for Disney foodies as it marks the official return of Victoria & Alberts at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The undisputed culinary crown jewel of Walt Disney World, this signature dining experience will be back with its lavish setting and edible works of art!
Fully Re-Imagined Dining Rooms
The Victoria & Albert’s has been closed since the pandemic, Disney has made the most of the restaurant’s downtime refurbishing the dining rooms. The fully re-imagined interiors were inspired by Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Celebration.
Guests are welcomed with a classic, yet contemporary touch. Soft shades of ivory, taupe and light blue are offset by accents in silver, gold and pewter. Be prepared to be dazzled by crystal chandeliers, fanciful murals and delicate wall coverages which are meant to convey the feeling of an English garden.
. (Kent Phillips, Photographer)
Award-Winning Disney Dining
At Victoria & Albert’s ever member of the expert team is dedicated to delivering a flawless dining experience. A meal at Victoria & Albert’s combines the perfect balance of creativity and impeccable service. This is just one of the many reasons why the restaurant has been awarded the AAA Five Diamond Award since 2000 and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award since 2016.
The restaurant is the only one in Florida to be honored with both distinctions.
Elevated Epicurean Experiences
The menu at Victoria & Albert’s focuses on contemporary American cuisine with the finest ingredients sourced from around the world. The eatery offers an ever-evolving menu.
Menu highlights include the Glacier 51 Toothfish (pictured above) which comes with charred mushrooms and sambal.
Another fabulous option is the Danish Hiramasa with carrot and Okinawan potatoes.
Plant-based diners will definitely want to try the Heirloom Tomatoes with gazpacho along with the 100-year balsamico and Carrot Tikka Masala with cilantro and puri bread.
Above is a look at the Wagyu A-5 Miyazaki with potato rosti and romesco.
Dessert lovers will definitely want to save room for goodies like the Spectrum of Chocolate, an ombre delight featuring specialty sourced chocolates with accents of vanilla, Champagne and Grand Marnier.
Three Unique Dining Rooms
The eatery has three distinct seating areas. These are as follows:
- The Dining Room – Here you’ll find a resplendent tasting menu which can be tailored to suit guests’ dietary restrictions. A plant-based menu is also available. The dishes here are designed to balance seasonal flavors with elevated craftsmanship!
- Queen Victoria’s Room – This dining room offers an expanded prix-fixe menu created by the Chef de Cuisine. The richly appointed room features a glowing fireplace, delicate embroidery, lace details and artwork showcasing European royalty.
- The Chef’s Table – Make dining and interactive experience. You’ll watch as dishes are expert prepared. One of the most coveted Disney experiences, you’ll have a front-row seat in the heart of the kitchen where you’ll dine on superb morsels from the tasting menu. The Chef’s Table can accommodate up to 6 guests and only one reservation is available each night.
Wines, Cocktails and More
Victoria & Albert’s offers a world-class wine collection with more than 500 selections for 35 regions. Each variety has been thoughtfully curated by staff sommeliers with choices that date back as far as the early 1900s.
In addition to traditional cocktails, lavish zero-proof cocktails are also available and have been crated to complement each course.
Noteworthy cocktails include the Guajillo Spice, a striking presentation smoked tableside to showcase the deep flavors of roasted guajillo chilis, charred jalapenos and black peppercorn. The drink is rounded out with a touch of rich caramelized sweetness from turbinado sugar and fresh lime.
A Culinary Team Like No Other
The culinary team at Victoria & Albert’s has been led by Chef de Cuisine Matthew Sowers. Sowers has worked with the Walt Disney Company since 2006 including 15 years at Victoria & Albert’s. He has also curated menus for Remy the fine-dining restaurant aboard the Disney Wish and Disney Fantasy cruise ships.
Credit: Disney
Sowers is joined by Pastry Chef Kristine Farmer who was part of the opening team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and leads the pastry team for the resort’s three signature restaurants as well as Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings, pastry kitchen and production of the giant, life-size gingerbread house gracing the resort lobby during the winter holidays!
Executive Chef Kevin Chong oversees culinary operations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and Sommelier Israel Perez serves as Victoria & Albert’s dedicated maître d’hotel where he and his award-winning team pay special attention to every detail of the dining experience. Perez has been with Walt Disney World for over two decades.
We also cannot forget the legacy of Culinary Director Chef Scott Hunnel. The James Beard Award-nominee helmed the Victoria & Albert’s kitchen for many years and still provides direction and mentorship to chefs across multiple Disney resort hotels.
Dress Code and Reservations
Victoria & Albert’s is an intimate upscale dining experience. For this reason, guests are expected to dress in semi-formal/formal attire that respects the restaurant’s aesthetic. Guests must be 10 years of age or older.
Reservations up to 60 days in advance, guests can visit the Victoria & Albert’s page on DisneyWorld.com or call 407-939-3862. Space is extremely limited; advance reservations are required.
Credit: Disney
A Grand Update
The reopening of Victoria & Albert’s is part of a multi-year enhancement at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and celebrates the property’s rich history while bringing a fresh, contemporary feel to this beloved monorail resort.
Enhancements include the addition of the Enchanted Rose lounge, a brand new look for Citricos and most recently, The Grand Floridian Spa was refreshed.
The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa introduced 200 new resort studios and other enhancements. Guests can expect additional improvements updated offerings in the future.
Readers are encouraged to keep following along with MickeyBlog for more Walt Disney World news and updates. We’ll be coming to you LIVE from the theme parks each and every week.
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