Review of The USA's MOST FAMOUS Fine Dining Restaurant

Summary

In this culinary journey, the narrator shares their experience at The French Laundry, a renowned 3 Michelin star restaurant in California, after a challenging reservation process. They explore the history, ambiance, and innovative dishes of the restaurant, including a memorable visit to a local winery, Opus One. The detailed account highlights exquisite food, exceptional service, and a unique dining atmosphere, emphasizing the restaurant's commitment to excellence and leaving a lasting impression.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ The French Laundry is considered one of the best restaurants in America and is notoriously difficult to get a reservation at.
• 🌏 The narrator managed to secure a reservation with the help of Aaron Jacobson, the Operations and Beverage Director at Zen in Singapore.
• 🏰 The French Laundry is located in Yountville, California, and is part of a five-part series exploring the best 3 Michelin star restaurants in California.
• 🍷 The restaurant is known for its extensive wine list and has a history of being targeted by wine thieves, highlighting its impressive collection.
• 🏆 Thomas Keller, the owner of The French Laundry, is a renowned chef with multiple accolades, including multiple three-star Michelin ratings.
• 🍴 The dining experience at The French Laundry is highly regarded for its service, with staff like Brighton providing exceptional hospitality.
• 🍲 The menu features a variety of unique and elevated dishes, including reinterpretations of classic snacks and a diverse selection of courses.
• 🥂 The restaurant offers a luxurious experience with high-end tableware and a wine list that includes rare and expensive selections.
• 🎨 The presentation of the dishes is described as gorgeous, with careful attention to detail and artistic plating.
• 🍰 The dessert offerings are extensive, with a range of flavors and textures, including a special celebration for the narrator's godson's 18th birthday.
• 🌟 The overall experience at The French Laundry is described as practically perfect, with the narrator expressing a deep appreciation for the flavors, setting, and people.

Q & A

Why was it difficult to secure a table at The French Laundry?

It is considered one of the best restaurants in America, and the demand for reservations is extremely high, making it a 'nightmare' to get a table.

How did the narrator manage to get a reservation at The French Laundry?

The narrator was able to secure a reservation with the help of Aaron Jacobson, the Operations and Beverage Director at Zen in Singapore, who offered to assist after the narrator expressed their predicament.

What is the significance of the blue door at The French Laundry?

The blue door is the only original feature from the building's past that was retained after the full renovation, symbolizing continuity with the restaurant's history.

Who was Sally Schmidt and what is her connection to The French Laundry?

Sally Schmidt was the wife of Don Schmidt, the original owner of the building. She was a chef and a culinary pioneer who helped launch the farm-to-table movement in California and served as head chef at The French Laundry for 16 years.

What is unique about the wine selection at The French Laundry?

The French Laundry has an exhaustive wine list with some rare and top 1% wines in the world, including a 1954 Madeira from Henriques and Henriques and a 2007 dessert wine from Topaz.

What is the story behind the theft at The French Laundry's wine cellar in 2014?

In 2014, a gang of thieves broke into The French Laundry and stole over half a million euros worth of wine from the cellar. However, the thieves were eventually caught, and many of the missing bottles were recovered.

What is the significance of the 'Oysters and Pearls' dish at The French Laundry?

The 'Oysters and Pearls' dish is a signature dish at The French Laundry, featuring a sabayon of pearl tapioca with Island Creek oysters, known for its gorgeous plating and amazing flavors.

What is the connection between Thomas Keller and The French Laundry?

Thomas Keller is the founder and chef of The French Laundry. He took over the restaurant in 1994, after signing a deal with the previous owner, Sally Schmidt's husband, Don Schmidt.

How does the service at The French Laundry compare to other high-end restaurants?

The service at The French Laundry is described as highly professional and personalized, with servers like Brighton being praised for their ballet-like movements and exceptional hospitality.

What is the significance of the garden setting for the cheese and dessert courses at The French Laundry?

The garden setting provides a new world experience for guests, offering a change of scenery from the interior of the restaurant and enhancing the enjoyment of the cheese and dessert courses.

What is Thomas Keller's broader impact on the culinary world?

Thomas Keller is the first and only American-born chef to hold multiple three-star ratings in the Michelin Guide and the first American male chef to be named Chevalier of The French Legion of Honor. He has also sold over a million and a half cookbooks, has a line of cookware and a flour company, consults for movies, and coached the American team to its first-ever gold medal at the Bocuse d’Or.