The French Laundry

Dinner at The French Laundry. Table for one. Culinary Excellence.

My table at The French Laundry on this beautiful evening was a culinary dream come true. Achieving such a long-held dream felt like the culmination of years of desire. As I drove from Alila Napa Valley to Yountville, I felt such a profound sense of accomplishment and joy.

Walking over to the brilliantly beautiful blue door, I felt the manifestation of what was once impossible in my mind, become reality.

Checking in, I was ushered to my table. The crisp white linen was radiant. The fresh flowers smelled divine. My napkin, in three folds, held the infamous French clothing pen. I took a deep breath as I basked in the moment before me, ready for what was to come.

The evening opened with a glass of Krug Grande Cuvee 167 ^eme Edition NV Brut Champagne.

Similar to Per Se in New York, The Thomas Keller Signature Cornet arrived next.

With that, dinner commenced…

ROASTED FRENCH PUMPKIN SOUP 
Pumpkin Seed Granola and White Truffles from Alba

“OYSTERS AND PEARLS”
Creamed Vidalia Onion-Tapioca “Gratin,” Poached Oyster Mushrooms,
Quinoa “Caviar” and Chive Butter

HEN EGG CUSTARD
with a Ragoût of Périgord Truffles

COMPRESSED GARDEN BOK CHOY SALAD
Brokaw Avocado Mousse, Garden Radishes and Yuzu-Ginger Dressing

APPLEWOOD SMOKED SCOTTISH WILD KING SALMON
Bantam Hen Egg Mousse, Nasturtium Leaves and Niçoise Olive Vinaigrette

STONINGTON MAINE SEA SCALLOP “POÊLÉ”
La Ratte Potato Purée, Garden Celery Salad, Celery Root Mousseline and Grated Black Winter

“BREAD AND BUTTER”
Bitter Cocoa Laminated Brioche and Diane St. Clair’s Animal Farm Butter

“CARNAROLI RISOTTO BIOLOGICO”
Organic Aquerello Rice, Root Vegetable Cream and Shaved White Truffles from Alba

SNAKE RIVER FARMS “CALOTTE DE BŒUF»
Garden Parsnip Purée, Whole Wheat “Pain Perdu,” Honey Poached Cranberries, Hobbs’ Bacon and Maple-Sage

“GOUGÈRE”
Andante Dairy “Etude” and Black Winter Truffle “Fondue”

ASSORTMENT OF DESSERTS
Fruit, Ice Cream, Chocolate and Candies

Afterward

Now, after being on my dream list of restaurants for so long, was dining at The French Laundry as good as I dreamed it would be?

Yes….but, I honestly did miss dining as a table of three, as I did at Per Se. Plus there is something intrinsically decadent in fine dining in New York. It’s a different energy.

In Yountville, dining at The French Laundry, I just felt – jet lagged and tired. I truly tried my hardest to live in the luxurious decadence of the moment. But damn, it was hard. My previous days’ flight from Houston to Los Angeles was delayed for 6 hours. Which unfortunately, meant I got home from LAX at 3 am. Then, I had to turn around and be out the door at 7am to be back at LAX for my flight to San Francisco within hours the same morning. Plus, the room issues I experienced at Alila Napa Valley (room had HVAC issues, didn’t ventilate properly after my shower, leading to wardrobe issues and more) didn’t help.

Sadly, all of these things affected my mental state during my meal. But, again I rallied the best I could so I could still look back with grace and pleasure.

Hands down, The French Laundry was outstanding in quality, service and – most of all – finesse. Beyond that, I fulfilled a multi decade long dream of dining at the one Thomas Keller restaurant I cherished above all others. I dreamed about that moment for years. And to be able to dine at Per Se, Ad Hoc and The French Laundry in the same year? Dream come true.

So, again – was it all worth it? Am I happy I listened to my intuitive guidance and said to myself, “sure, I’ll try it – what’s the best thing that could happen” when I signed into Tock and try and get a table?

And then, got shocked and started tearing up when I easily and effortlessly booked my table for one?

Abso-fucking-lutely. 

 

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