FOOD & DRINK
Michelin star arrives in Disney World, but it’s not child friendly
Victoria & Albert’s has been whetting appetites and capturing foodie imaginations for over two decades, and now there is a star to go with it.
It’s the first theme park restaurant to be awarded a Michelin star and it’s arrived at the globally renowned Walt Disney World. The name of the eatery is Victoria & Albert’s and it has become the 27th in Florida to receive the recognition. And while there are culinary creations being laid neatly on pristine dining surfaces, the V&A team has also been curating a world-class wine collection with over 500 different selections. But all that aside, given that it’s connected to the Disney franchise, one aspect of the establishment has surprised some: no young children are allowed to eat there.
Under 10s not welcome at Disney restaurant
That’s right, forget about taking your whole family for a top notch feed if you have any under 10s in the group. Along with there being a rather strict dress code – “guests are expected to dress accordingly in semi-formal/formal attire that respects the restaurant’s elegant and opulent aesthetic” – those single-digit creatures will not be permitted to enter. What must Mickey and Minnie be thinking.
Then again, with its prix-fixe menus starting at $295 per person, it may not be the place to take those that can’t fully appreciate the experience just yet. And so to that stomach satisfying encounter, what’s it all about?
‘Nestled within Disney’s crown jewel, the Grand Floridian Resort, this restaurant is by no means an easy reservation,’ advises the Michelin Guide notes. ‘But the reward is a kind of magic rarely seen these days. The setting is intimate, and the pacing is that of a leisurely, three-hour waltz orchestrated by a gracious brigade of veteran servers.
‘Think delicate tarts set with New Zealand langoustine, striking “sandwiches” made with venison carpaccio and red cabbage, and bold sauces like cherry-cola bordelaise. Other details like water lists, an ornate coffee and tea service, and a serious wine program further impress.’
Chef de Cuisine Matthew Sowers, who is said to “cook with contemporary verve and draws on influences spanning from Asia to the Nordics” was suitably pleased with the award.
“It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by Michelin for the innovative dining experience our team brings to life here at Victoria & Albert’s,” Sowers said. “Everybody on our team earned this star, from our stewards to our culinarians to our pastry chefs, and we hope to inspire future generations of culinary professionals to follow their dreams.” Just not anyone too young.