A Dining Adventure at French Laundry
"How to Arrive French Laundry in Grand Style"
(If indeed we are the unofficial Intel EPD Gourmet Dining Global Working
Group, then you can call Theresa, myself, and also two of our friends, the
"Sizzle" portion of the group as we were able to have a dining
adventure at the French Laundry on Nov 18, 2000.)
Our adventure actually started many months ago. For years I have heard about
good things about French Laundry. I thought it will be very nice to go there to
celebrate Theresa and mine wedding anniversary on June 2nd. I tried to called
two months ahead, as this is the requirement at the French Laundry. I just could
not get through the busy phone. Finally I got through a day later, but all the
reservations were taken already. We were disappointed. However, it turned out
that we did have some great dinners and lunches at some other restaurants in St.
Helena.
When we mentioned this to our friends Gary and Linda from church, they
decided to try, especially since someone gave they a gift certificate more than
2 years ago. So they called. They called. They called. They called more than 20
times but failed to get through. Our friend Linda decided to take matters into
her own hands. So she drove up to Yountville in person! She was able to get a
reservation because she was the first person in line at 10am :-)
The ironic thing was that she waited in line with another lady. This lady
mentioned that she is the wife of one of the 20 chefs at this restaurant. Since
the chefs and staff don't get preferential treatment, she had to wait in line to
get a reservation also. Another interesting story was this woman met her husband
when she visited the restaurant for the first time and got a chance to visit the
kitchen. It was love at first sight--or maybe it's all that great food and wine
making people falling in love easily. :-)
So we finally were able to go to French Laundry. So the four of us met in the
afternoon on Saturday. Gary was gracious enough to offer to drive since he did
not plan on doing any wine tasting. We arrived at the wine country early. So we
decided to browse at this gourmet food and kitchen ware store. I think it was
called Dave de Lucca or something like that. If you ever want to buy a small
bottle of gourmet California olive oil for $20!, that's the place. Like foolish
and compulsive tourists, we bought two bottles :-)
We then walked across the street to visit S. Sattui and had a quick wine
tasting. We all thought the 1999 Dry Johannesburg Riesling was pretty nice much
to my surprise, because I thought all Johannesburg Riesling are sweet like
syrup. We also tasted their port-like Madiera. Yuck. I was so disappointed. I
guess I'm spoiled by vintage port.
By then it was about 5:15p.m. so we thought we will leave for our 6pm
reservation. We got into the car. Gary turned on the ignition. Nothing! Tried
again, nothing! As I got on the phone to get AAA, Theresa was able to get this
nice guy to try to give us a jump. Still nothing. AAA came and also was unable
to get the car started. By then we were stuck in the parking lot. We had no way
to get home and no way to get to the restaurant as the taxi service was very
difficult to get through. :-(
What to do?
You think we were going to give up? Not for French Laundry! It turned out
that my AAA is a PLUS membership card, which provides for free towing of up to
100 miles. So the nice guy from Karl's Body Shop towed the car back to Alameda
later that evening. Originally we were not allowed to ride with him since each
person must have a seat belt. Well, looking at our pathetic and desperate look
on our faces, he had mercy and gave us a ride. So the four of us crammed into
the passenger side of the tow truck. It was not the most comfortable ride, as
Theresa's knees were bouncing against the dashboard. However, we did get there
safely without a highway patrol pulling us over, and Theresa and I did have a
romantic moment since she was sitting on top of my lap :-)
So we finally arrived. Prior to having this dinner, I thought this place must
have been over-hyped. How could any restaurant be that good? It's not that
Theresa and I have not been dining at fine restaurants before, whether it's
Carmel or San Francisco. I must said that I was pleasantly surprised by the
quality service, romantic ambience, exquisite presentation, and luscious food.
For a few of you I left a copy of the menu. We all enjoyed the many courses of
the $105 Chef's Tasting Menu: poached oysters and caviar hearts of palm salad
freshwater pike in broth Maine lobster rabbit wrapped in bacon filet mignon
garden greens brie cheese pomegranate sorbet chocolate mousse to die for
By the way, if you are ever interested in the French Laundry. Bring money.
Bring lots of it. Let me just put it this way, the corkage fee alone is $50. So
this is not a place where I'll go every weekend. However, I think it's an
once-in-a-life time experience not to be missed. (Maybe Theresa and I will be
lucky and will be going again in May'01 :-)
I've spared you a photo journal because I stupidly forgot to bring my digital
camera. But then again, pictures would not have done justice :-)
How did we get home, you may ask? Did we rent a car? Did we get a taxi? Nope.
Linda called up her sister and brother-in-law. They drove up in two cars in
order to pick us up! What nice people!
So we arrived Alameda safely. In fact, Gary's car arrived first. So we were
able to go home with a great dining adventure to tell and also with our two
bottles of olive oils :-)
swoo
http://www.sterba.com/yountville/frenchlaundry/
has the official information on French Laundry.
