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Jun 20 2007 - 8:01am A little while back, I confessed to never having eaten at a single one of the
50 best restaurants in the world. Well, last week I finally fixed that by dining at Thomas Keller's number 4 ranked (number 1 in the US) The French Laundry of Yountville, CA (Napa wine country). The menu there consists of two options: the chef's tasting menu or the taste of vegetables menu, so unfortunately there's no popping in and ordering a la carte.
D&G
Repetto
Nudie Jeans
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20 Comments Post a Comment
i can't wait to see desserts...mm...
1OMG. How extravagant and wonderful. I cant wait to tune in for the next segment!
Youre so lucky! Im glad you enjoyed yourself!
2that's just what I was thinking Cravin! I'm in publishing and we're doing the French Laundry's dessert book this fall - just saw the photos and I had to be careful not to drool on them!!
3Jealous, totally! The foie looks amazing.
4This restaurant sounds wonderful, can't wait to read part 2.
5I can understand why you had to split it into two parts. So far, I think my downfall would be the brioche-like roll and the caviar/oyster dish. The atmosphere at the restaurant looks very serene — dare I say, "delightfully still."
6mmmmmmmm
7I can't believe you posted this I was just going to write you and tell you about my dinner last night at the FL! We sat down at 7:45 and didn't leave until 12:30am! I have been lucky enough to dine there before as this was my third visit over the last 7 years. I was amazed with my experience and to answer the question, "was it worth it?" I will have to say that if you think you will appreciate what goes into each dish, and love food or you just have that kind of money to burn on a meal than "yes!". I fall into the first category. From your description so far our menus were almost identical. My fois dish came in a different shape and had a whipped tupelo honey smeared around the plate and thin truffle shavings on top. The salts were surprising and delicious. How perfect that they would replace the plate of brioche when it had been sitting there for a bit with a fresh warm one! Divine! I can't wait for your next post.
8Okay, I love the pictures. I can totally see you sitting at your table in this super nice restaurant, snapping pictures of your food with a camera!!!
9econinsf - what a fun coincidence! can't wait to see if our menus vary!
rubialala - i know, i was slightly embarassed at first (I actually went and bought a smaller camera that morning, so that I at least wouldn't have to drag the large SLR) and I kept trying to hide the camera in my lap, but eventually i said, to hell with it, i'm paying a gajillion dollars and i'm gonna take pics! heheh!
10oh and buzz, there was so much decadence being thrown around, it might actually have to be three posts.
11Thanks for giving us a look into what's it like to dine at such a high quality restaurant! I can only dream to go to one of those one day! Can't wait for parts 2 (and 3...and 4...take as long as you'd like!)
12yum.
13OMG, yummy1
14I had an amazing experience there service-wise. However, the food fell a little short of my expectations (2 of the proteins were over-cooked and dry, which I don't expect at a restaurant of that caliber.)
15puddinpie - wow that's really unexpected, I would have been upset by that as well. all of my main dishes were cooked to perfection. However during dessert is where things slid a little, but i'll get to that gripe tomorrow.
16I'm so jealous! I live in NYC so my fiance and I have blown through the top restaurants with the 2 big exceptions: Per Se and Masa.
Dinner is always worth it but you have to take it slow.
I have a funny story: While we were dating Alex took me to Alain Ducasse for a $700 meal-- completely decadent 7 course meal with champagne, wine, cheese, 2 deserts... And my stomach got so upset by the wine and desert (chocolate ganache souffle) that as soon as I got home I regurgitated like a drunk college kid. I then promptly passed out and poor Alex didn't even get any for all his effort (and money)! We still go out to fancy dinners but now I take it slower on the wine! If you are ever in NYC, my fav restaurant is Le Bernadin. Check it out.
17Ive had nights like that. I wrote about it a little on Part 3 today (Friday)--how my tummy gets full and my palate is overwhelmed. I went to a fancy restaurant with my bf (I was treating) and I started off with a lobster bisque, then a fillet in a rich sauce, and ended with a dark chocolate souffle with some liquor. All while drinking Pinot Noir. Everything ended up being too rich because after getting up and walking two city blocks, I threw up everywhere. It was not one of my finer moments.
18fillet=filet (mignon)
I know I shouldnt have second-guessed myself with the spell check!
19im soo jealous =(
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