for the discerning palate
I spent Saturday afternoon slicing food into tiny morsels and trying not to slouch in my seat. I felt like a kid sitting at the grown-up table wondering when I could run out to play. After years of reading and hearing about the acclaimed French Laundry, I finally had the opportunity to dine there. The NYTimes once wrote, "...this discreet restaurant regularly ranks as one of, if not the, best restaurant in the world", and Anthony Bourdain of 'Kitchen Confidential' describes the experience as nothing less than phenomenal, "My knees were shaking going to meet Thomas Keller, going to eat in that restaurant [The French Laundry]. I felt like I was going to the prom, like a kid in a powder blue tux sweating through my fluffy shirt. It's hero worship and wonder..."
My experience however was well, underwhelming to say the least. Admittedly friends had warned that this would be the case as their experiences were just so-so. The atmosphere was too stuffy, brought on by the other patrons and not necessarily the suited wait staff who seemed to enjoy the joking and smiles that came from our end of the room. Laugh too loudly however and we'd elicit frosty stares from the tables nearby.
The appetizers and desserts were delicious but the small plates and main entrees weren't memorable at all. My favorite was the foie gras, served as a cold mousse with toasted brioche, truffle creme and orange glaze. The log of foie gras was huge and we were continually brought warm brioche until we were wiping down the plates with toast.
The panacotta and caviar took a few bites to warm up to, but the combination of flavors in the end were wonderful. My small plate of bluefin tuna was very ordinary. As were the lobster mitts with pomegranate seeds in a curry reduction sauce. The duck came out too firm for everyone at the table. Bleh. The lamb was soft and tender, raised on a special diet by a small farm in Virginia. The special diet supposedly cleaned the gamy flavor out of the meat. Though I kind of feel like something's lost when lamb doesn't have a bit of gaminess to it.
Overall I was disappointed by the food, especially because it came with such a hefty price tag and a two month advance reservation. $350 to be exact. But the meal ended sweetly enough with a second dessert of truffled chocolates, verona and caramel covered macadamia nuts, marscapone pineapple cakes, creme brulee and lemon custard.
Comments
$350 for a semi-good meal! they should seriosly check out there prices
I do know what you're talking about when it comes to the stuffy atmosphere, but it's always like that at the further you go up valley in Napa Valley. I've gotten used to it though since I'm a native.
Despite the mixed reviews, it's an institution. I had to go there so I would at least be able to cross it off my list...and have an honest opinion about it. I hear Ad Hoc is very good too. Have you been?
Great post -- I'm glad vox tig'd it --- or what used to be tig. You know what I mean.
We were just up in the Russian River Valley and stayed and ate at The Farmhouse -- and had about as good of a dining experience as I've ever had. (We actually wondered how the FL would compare...) Not inexpensive -- but a bargain at half-the-cost of the French Laundry! ;)
I just ate at Chez TJ in Mountain View on Saturday. It went from a Michelin 1 star to a 2 star just a few months ago, so my husband and I decided to check it out. Our reaction to it was the same as your reaction to TFL. (However, we enjoyed TFL more than you did when we went a year ago.)
When we went to TFL a year ago and had a great time and loved the food .Although, we were in a party that rented out the 10-person dining room upstairs in its own room, so we could be loud and laughing and never saw if people were pissed at us! It was hard not to compare Chez TJ to TFL, so, well, we did. Our verdict was that it was "okay, but not great." The quality of food was good, but I didn't think each plate had good umami. Although, it was a lot cheaper than TFL, "only" $115 (plus tax, tip, and drinks) for the chef's tasting menu.
What I really want to do is go to TFL during a different season, preferably early summer. I'd love to try it out when there are different veggies than just root veggies.
It's insanely popular (we had people lined up just to dial the number), and its reputation, though deserved, is hyped-up to be more than it is - which is still excellent, if somewhat overpriced.
Here's the link to the fact sheet on Foie Gras.
Good post. I was a little skeptical about trying French Laundry bc of all of the hype about it. Is it really worth the money? I liked the food at Bouchin when we ate in Vegas, minus some of the company there with us --HA!!! ;)
I just made dinner reservations for VDay at Gary Dankos. Now, i've heard a lot of great things about that place! :)