The French Laundry
Discussion
Just got back from a dinner there last week. There are only 2 set menus to choose from. One is the 'main' set menu featuring around 9 courses. There are a number of choices within the set menu (eg one of the fish courses, there was a choice between a cod dish and a mackerel dish), and there's also a couple of options to upgrade courses (eg instead of a fennel salad, for a $50 supplement there was a foie gras option), and as always they are more than happy to accomodate any particular food dislikes or allergies. The other set menu is nominally described as a 'vegetarian' option and is lighter looking food, but it does include a little meat and fish in a couple of the courses. It looked lovely, but naturally Mrs Easytiger and I went for the full-fat set menu.
We were seated downstairs and if I have one strong recommendation to you it would be to do likewise. The upstairs room looked pleasant enough but the 2 unisex lavatories are upstairs and when I went for a pee there were a number of people milling around waiting to use the occupied lavatories. As there isn't a lot of space upstairs I imagine it must have been somewhat irritating for those eating at one of the tables in that part of the building. That aside, I won't go into a blow by blow account of each course and each sip of wine. There are plenty of foodie websites that have that sort of detail. Suffice it to say that it was a lovely meal in a lovely setting with faultless service. Not every single dish hit the spot for me but there were enough highlights to warrant the long drive from San Francisco (where we were staying) and back, and I wouldn't hesitate to return. Enjoy it when you go!
We were seated downstairs and if I have one strong recommendation to you it would be to do likewise. The upstairs room looked pleasant enough but the 2 unisex lavatories are upstairs and when I went for a pee there were a number of people milling around waiting to use the occupied lavatories. As there isn't a lot of space upstairs I imagine it must have been somewhat irritating for those eating at one of the tables in that part of the building. That aside, I won't go into a blow by blow account of each course and each sip of wine. There are plenty of foodie websites that have that sort of detail. Suffice it to say that it was a lovely meal in a lovely setting with faultless service. Not every single dish hit the spot for me but there were enough highlights to warrant the long drive from San Francisco (where we were staying) and back, and I wouldn't hesitate to return. Enjoy it when you go!
easytiger123 said:
Just got back from a dinner there last week. There are only 2 set menus to choose from. One is the 'main' set menu featuring around 9 courses. There are a number of choices within the set menu (eg one of the fish courses, there was a choice between a cod dish and a mackerel dish), and there's also a couple of options to upgrade courses (eg instead of a fennel salad, for a $50 supplement there was a foie gras option), and as always they are more than happy to accomodate any particular food dislikes or allergies. The other set menu is nominally described as a 'vegetarian' option and is lighter looking food, but it does include a little meat and fish in a couple of the courses. It looked lovely, but naturally Mrs Easytiger and I went for the full-fat set menu.
We were seated downstairs and if I have one strong recommendation to you it would be to do likewise. The upstairs room looked pleasant enough but the 2 unisex lavatories are upstairs and when I went for a pee there were a number of people milling around waiting to use the occupied lavatories. As there isn't a lot of space upstairs I imagine it must have been somewhat irritating for those eating at one of the tables in that part of the building. That aside, I won't go into a blow by blow account of each course and each sip of wine. There are plenty of foodie websites that have that sort of detail. Suffice it to say that it was a lovely meal in a lovely setting with faultless service. Not every single dish hit the spot for me but there were enough highlights to warrant the long drive from San Francisco (where we were staying) and back, and I wouldn't hesitate to return. Enjoy it when you go!
Thanks for the info. Given how difficult it is to get tables for two there, would I get a choice of seating up/downstairs when I get there? I'm presuming the place if fully booked every sitting? Seems unbelievable a place like that hasn't sorted its toilet facilities out better!We were seated downstairs and if I have one strong recommendation to you it would be to do likewise. The upstairs room looked pleasant enough but the 2 unisex lavatories are upstairs and when I went for a pee there were a number of people milling around waiting to use the occupied lavatories. As there isn't a lot of space upstairs I imagine it must have been somewhat irritating for those eating at one of the tables in that part of the building. That aside, I won't go into a blow by blow account of each course and each sip of wine. There are plenty of foodie websites that have that sort of detail. Suffice it to say that it was a lovely meal in a lovely setting with faultless service. Not every single dish hit the spot for me but there were enough highlights to warrant the long drive from San Francisco (where we were staying) and back, and I wouldn't hesitate to return. Enjoy it when you go!
Now I've got this place booked I can turn my attention to bookings for the other lunches/dinners while we are there. This is going to be one serious foodie holiday for me and I'll probably never be able to cram so much great food and wine into four days again, so I'm going to make the most of it.
Thinking of visits to: Auberge du Soleil, Bistro Jeanty, Redd, Bouchon, Ad Hoc as well. Any experiences of those would be interesting to hear.
Think it's probably the luck of the draw, but probably worth a call and asking at least? We just got sat downstairs which is where the majority of the tables are and I only realised there was an upstairs dining room when I went to the loo. I doubt it would be a major issue to be honest, unless you got sat at the upstairs table right by the top of the stairs (where the bog queue seemed to congregate). I do agree that it's something they should sort out.
No experience of the other places you mentioned. We went to Benu in SF which was highly rated, but very average indeed. Spent the rest of the week in LA. Had a few great meals there.
No experience of the other places you mentioned. We went to Benu in SF which was highly rated, but very average indeed. Spent the rest of the week in LA. Had a few great meals there.
In LA, I really love lunch on the patio at The Ivy. Food is very good for what it is and the combination of nice grub, a few American strength cocktails amd sunshine is always a winner. In the same vein, brunch at The Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel is also lovely and there's always some film star or other at the next table if that floats your boat.
We had 2 excellent meals in LA last week aside from the above 2 reliable favourites. One was at Son of a Gun. Mainly seafood, not at all expensive and very good indeed. The other was at Wolgang Puck at the Bel Air Hotel. Really surprisingly good and well worth a visit. Went to a couple of great places in LA last year as well but I'll need to ask SWMBO the names as I can't remember for the life of me!
HTH.
We had 2 excellent meals in LA last week aside from the above 2 reliable favourites. One was at Son of a Gun. Mainly seafood, not at all expensive and very good indeed. The other was at Wolgang Puck at the Bel Air Hotel. Really surprisingly good and well worth a visit. Went to a couple of great places in LA last year as well but I'll need to ask SWMBO the names as I can't remember for the life of me!
HTH.
Got back from TFL a few hours ago and still feeling rather full, but very contented.
I can give a full report later if anyone's interested, but needless to say it lived up to our expectations and will be a lunch we'll remember for some time to come.
I'm now sitting here with a bottle of Anchor Steam Beer as the sun slowly sets, trying to summon up the energy to wander down the road and sample some more local wines...
Life can be tough
I can give a full report later if anyone's interested, but needless to say it lived up to our expectations and will be a lunch we'll remember for some time to come.
I'm now sitting here with a bottle of Anchor Steam Beer as the sun slowly sets, trying to summon up the energy to wander down the road and sample some more local wines...
Life can be tough
Was in Napa myself last month... make sure you go to Ad-Hoc & Bouchon as well (Chef Kellers other restaurants in yountville) which are also superb.
If you aren't full already by then, then you could maybe try The Restaurant At Meadowood, which is the only other 3* place in the area and a little more relaxed than the laundry.
If you are in LA (not sure if the OP is, but someone else mentioned it) then go to Ink. (mvink.com). Just go, and thank me afterwards.
Also check out Animal in LA and Umami burger.
Avoid The Bazaar (at the SLS) - food is ok, but truly awful service/servers, & atmosphere is not too good.
If you aren't full already by then, then you could maybe try The Restaurant At Meadowood, which is the only other 3* place in the area and a little more relaxed than the laundry.
If you are in LA (not sure if the OP is, but someone else mentioned it) then go to Ink. (mvink.com). Just go, and thank me afterwards.
Also check out Animal in LA and Umami burger.
Avoid The Bazaar (at the SLS) - food is ok, but truly awful service/servers, & atmosphere is not too good.
Edited by GCH on Monday 18th June 14:58
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