If you are looking for a very special night out, maybe to celebrate an anniversary or birthday, or just want a sophisticated meal in ambient surroundings I highly recommend Victoria & Albert’s. This is probably not a suitable restaurant for young children and you do have to dress up. Jacket and tie are required for gentlemen and suitable attire for ladies. But it makes a lovely change to dress properly for dinner in Orlando.
Make sure you book in advance so you can be presented with your personalized menus on arrival. Also it gets very busy around holiday seasons.
When you arrive at Disney's Grand Floridian you already know you are in for a treat. Walk into the vast lobby of the hotel and you see the beautiful atrium, adorned when we visited with Christmas tree and decorations, looking like you have stepped back into a bygone age of elegance and grandeur.
The sweeping staircase or glass elevator takes you to the second floor where the restaurant is located. There is a small cocktail lounge before you reach the restaurant so arrive early and sip some champagne whilst looking out over the Disney Lake towards Cinderella's castle.
When you reach the restaurant there is a lobby area with chairs and sofa's for you to wait and someone will take your outer jackets if necessary. Then you are shown to your table by the Maitre de and introduced to your own "Victoria & Albert", who will be your waiter and waitress for the evening.
The dining room itself is small by American standards and this only adds to the sophistication and romance of the evening. It is decorated in Victorian style and is not overdone (a rare feat in Orlando).
They present you with your menus and take the orders for drinks while you contemplate the feast to come. This is a 7 course meal so make sure you are ready to eat. Unlike most Orlando restaurants this is fine dining rather than the usual "all you can eat" type thing, so although it is 7 courses, they are in the style of French "Nouveau cuisine".....
Having said that, this was without a doubt, the most wonderful meal I have ever had in Florida. I won't spoil it by giving you a menu here as they change it regularly, but every course was divine and beautifully presented. They also do a wine pairing for each course for an additional charge ($50 per person) but of course you are free to choose your own drinks too.
Savour your meal over a long time, there is no hurry or rush to get you moved on and the next guests seated. Once you finish your meal take a walk round the hotel and maybe have another drink in the small lounge or enjoy some coffee in the atrium.
This is where we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and it made the holiday for us. We were presented with our menu's which even had the occasion and date printed on them, as well as a single red rose for the ladies and a chocolate card etched with the date and occasion.
The attention to detail was very thoughtful and much appreciated.
I cannot recommend this restaurant highly enough and although pricey by normal Florida standards ($95 per person) it was worth every cent and will be a night we will never forget.