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The French Laundry
Categories: Restaurants French Restaurants American (New) French, American (New) [Edit]
6640 Washington StYountville, CA 94599
(707) 944-2380
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Fri-Sun 11 am - 1 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Formal (Jacket Required)
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Upscale, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
Albert H. said: "Winery restaurants this good are few and far between. Having stopped in for dinner one dark night not so long ago, we had been planning a return in the sunlight, and last weekend we managed to hit the first day they opened the patio…" read more »
1124 reviews for The French Laundry
Review Highlights
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"My favorite course was the oysters and pearls." In 135 reviews -
"Foie gras - Amazingly rich, creamy, delectable." In 202 reviews -
"I've always been protective of Sir Thomas Keller." In 120 reviews
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1123 reviews in English
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Review from gene x.
San Francisco, CA
I was actually joking about if people would actually look at Yelp to consider eating at The French Laundry, but I'm mostly writing this review so I don't have to explain my experience to everyone over and over and twitter isn't the right place for it...
Anyhow, I went with Andrei Z., Melanie N. and Scott McV last night and it was definitely as good as expected. It's hard not to have expectations but they were all met.
On to the blow by blow...
Our first amuse bouche looked to me like an ice cream cone scarecrow and one of the servers said it was inspired by Baskin Robbins of all places. I forgot what it was called but like everything would be this evening, it packed flavor and texture and taste all in one tiny cone.
Course 1 "OYSTERS AND PEARLS"
"Sabayon" of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters and White Sturgeon Caviar - wow this was tiny, was my first thought to myself, but upon spooning in the first micro-spoonful into my mouth, I realized why - it's amazingly rich and flavorful! The tapioca was so rich and the flavors all balanced so well. A good start for sure!
Next up we all had selected the foie gras which was paired with Von Strasser 2010 Grüner Veltliner.
MOULARD DUCK "FOIE GRAS EN TERRINE" - "Gésiers de Canard," Poached Cherries, Pearl Onions, Watercress and "Sauce Hydromel"
What can you say? It was so rich and paired with some crazy salts and decadent bread from Bouchon (the Jurrasic salt we absconded with a pinch for our friend Tim V). Just eat this! (before July 1st, 2012)
SAUTÉED FILLET OF GULF COAST RED SNAPPER: Monterey Bay Squid, San Marzano Tomato, Fennel, Garlic, Castelvetrano Olives and Basil
This was light in texture, but nicely complimented by the garlic slice and was quickly consumed :)
SWEET BUTTER-POACHED MAINE LOBSTER TAIL: Globe Artichokes, Broccolini, Spanish Capers, Parsley Shoots and Burnt Orange
- gotta say that I was really excited about this one since I love lobster. However I'd say this was the least amazing dish of the night. It wasn't necessarily bad but the lobster by itself was just OK. With the burnt orange sauce it was more enjoyable but it didn't blow me away...
WOLFE RANCH WHITE QUAIL: "Hoe Cake," Pickled Green Tomato, Tokyo Turnips and "Thousand Island Dressing"
- gotta say this might have been my favorite. I mean you gotta like "hoe cake!" but really it was just so perfectly prepared. The skin was perfectly crunchy, while the quail meat was tender and juicy. Love this!
SNAKE RIVER FARMS "CALOTTE DE BŒUF GRILLÉE" - Braised Brisket, "Pommes à la Florentine," Nantes Carrots, Arrowleaf Spinach and "Sauce Bordelaise"
- I loved that our server told us this would be prepared medium rare without any other discussion. When it came out I saw the lovely red and upon slicing in saw that it was prepared just right. So delicious, juicy and flavor packed. I think I ate this the slowest just to savor every bite!
The next few dishes were coming and I was getting pretty damn full. First up was:
MEADOW CREEK DAIRY "GRAYSON" - Hobbs' Bacon, "Lavash," Granny Smith Apple, Savoy Cabbage and Whole Grain Mustard
followed by
RUBY RED GRAPEFRUIT SORBET - Moscato "Gelée" and Verbena "Nuage"
The sorbet was awesome and super tart which I loved but it was almost too much so. This was a dish that you definitely had to mix up the ingredients and get a bit of each in every bite to balance it out. I love tart and sour food so this was a nice prep for the final dessert dish...
I opted for the " MARJOLAINE" - Praline Mousse, "Dacquoise" and Roasted Banana Sherbet
The mousse portion was so rich and I was barely able to finish, but powered through knowing that we had 'donuts and coffee' coming to wrap things up. The 'coffee' was more a mousse style that was incredibly rich and you could dip the 'donuts' in which arrived warm and doughy. If I wasn't so full at this point I wouldn't have left the one extra but damn I was stuffed.
An amazing meal and experience! Aomething I'll always remember and I definitely would love to return with my sister who would so appreciate it (not that anyone else wouldn't). -
Review from Angeline K.
Cupertino, CA
5/21/2012 1 Check-in Here
I really can't believe I'm giving The French Laundry only 4 stars. I was expecting to come back speechless and amazed by both the food and the service. 3.5 stars would be more accurate, but it's STILL The French Laundry so I can't help but round up.
I don't want to say we didn't have an amazing evening dining here, because we did. But for this caliber of a restaurant and for the insanely hefty price tag, you really do expect everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) to be absolutely perfect.
The restaurant from the outside is quite unassuming and this carries into the decor inside as well. It almost feels as if you're dining at the home of a good friend, it's that intimate. Nothing is over the top or ostentatious. I love all the little details that Keller incorporates into laundry theme, like the clothespin napkin holders, the lamp shades imprinted with laundry icons and the laundry tag check. Clever and adorable! We were greeted very kindly by the host who wished my husband and I a happy 5-year anniversary and then were led to a small alcove with a window that provided a view of the wine cellar. It was a nice, private table and probably one of the three best tables in the restaurant as far as privacy goes. They started us off with some champagne to kick off the celebration while we perused the chef's tasting menu and the wine list (now in a digital iPad format).
Instead of wine pairings, the sommelier asks you what your preferences are and then comes up with a few selections he feels would be to your liking for each of the courses. We aren't very knowledgable about wines so we felt more than comfortable letting him take the reins. All of the wines were fantastic and complimented each of the courses to a tee.
As for the courses, there are nine main courses and some extras toward the end (mignardises), so we were much fuller than expected when we left. In fact, we took a small break in our meal and went across the street to check out the garden so it would give us a chance to digest a little. On the positive side, there were some phenomenal courses, namely:
- Canapes: Salmon Tartare on Sesame Tuile Cone and the Mornay Filled Puffs
- "Oysters and Pearls": This dish was perfect in every possible way. I'm so glad we opted not to do the $50 caviar supplement because this was quite possibly my favorite course of the night.
- Moulard Duck "Foie Gras en Terrine": Well worth the $30 supplement (have to get your foie gras fill before the ban!)
- Sweet Butter-Poached Maine Lobster - Tender and cooked so perfectly. The apricot-riesling emulsion was a wonderful compliment.
Aside from the dishes mentioned above, everything else was just "ok". Some of the courses were too salty for my liking and my husband agreed. I probably would not have been too disappointed had it not been TFL, but the expectations were high because, well, you know why. The fact that the subpar courses were towards the end of the the meal probably bias my opinion towards the negative, so I really want to lend credence to dishes that were actually stellar.
As for the service, I can't say that was impeccable either. I will say it was formal without being overly stuffy. My husband and I felt rather relaxed the entire evening and the staff made us feel very comfortable for the most part. Towards the end, however, I did feel that the attentiveness had waned a bit and when we were led to the kitchen for a tour, it felt rushed and more like an afterthought rather than something special they were trying to do for our anniversary. As we left the kitchen, someone greeted us "happy birthday", which I thought was pretty amusing, haha. Oops!
Overall, a memorable, (almost) once in a lifetime experience that I have zero regrets about. I'm sure that if it had been any other high end restaurant I probably wouldn't be scrutinizing as much and be more than satisfied. But as I mentioned above, at this price point and for this caliber of a restaurant one expects perfection. I can't say TFL delivered perfection for me. Would I return? Probably not, unless it was on someone else's dime! ;) -
Review from Stan B.
San Francisco, CA
5/5/2012
Only 4 stars you say! Well, sorry, but almost no place is perfect, including even the French Laundry.
Here's what is perfect about it:
1. Impeccable service. Probably the best we've had.
2. The restaurant interior and table settings.
3. The amuse-bouches - the salmon tartare cone and Gruyere filled fritter.
4. The first dish - Oysters and Pearls (Sabayon of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters and White Sturgeon Caviar) and I'm not even a big fan of oysters.
5. The Bouchon bakery breads.
6. The cheese and desert dishes (but we were told the desert chef will be taking a hiatus and traveling around the world for awhile).
7. The coffee (a cappuccino semifreddo) and donuts (best ever).
8. They didn't charge extra for their specially filtered water or coffee (a free cappuccino no less!).
9. Every thing on the plate looks picture perfect.
10. The wine list on the iPad.
11. The sweet treats and gift bag with shortbread they gave us at the end.
Here's what's less than perfect:
1. The price tag ($270/plate incl. tip, excl. wine & tax) , but it comes with the territory.
2. Many of the dishes are a tad too refined, rarefied,and downright small. Several of the micro vegetables are better described as nano vegetables, and though the surrounding sauces and accompaniments are flavorful, some of the main proteins (like the halibut and lobster) are oddly not sauced themselves and were lacking in flavor. Of course, I might be accused of being old-fashioned and "not getting it", but I know what I like.
3. I didn't like the fact that they had supplements (extra charges) if you wanted Osetra caviar, aged beef, or Foie Gras. I understand their logic, but given the already hefty fixe price and the fact that most of the dishes are fairly small, they should either include them, leave them off the menu, or raise the fixe price, so that everyone can enjoy them if they like without fretting over adding to the bill.
Overall, a fantastic 3 hour meal and a unique food experience, but we'll probably stick to less refined and less expensive fare in the future.
Note: I always rate based on value vs. price. -
Review from Annette Y.
San Rafael, CA
5/21/2012
Probably the yummiest food I have ever had in my entire life. The best 3.5 hour meal seriously! I came out of there full, but not in a food coma kind of way...kinda like OMG that was the best meal in my entire life and I want more kind of way. Not sure if there will ever be a next time, but I think I will remember this experince forever!
-
Review from Sharon T.
El Sobrante, CA
5/5/2012
I received a gift card almost a year and a half ago and have not been able to get a reservation for myself and my honey. It is so frustrating!!! I call at 10 am and the phone is busy... busy... busy... I try open table no tables. Is there a trick to getting a reservation?
WARNING don't buy your friends gift cards at this restaurant because it is so annoying to try to get a reservation that they will be totally frustrated. At this point I don't think it'll matter how good the food is... the hassle of trying to get a reservation will be the lingering memory. A gift card to any other restaurant would be preferable. -
Review from Ann Marie C.
Thornton, CO
5/4/2012
There is nothing I can add that the 1000+ reviewers before me have already said. For what it's worth, I will say this:
Best meal of my life.
Best service experience ever in a restaurant.
I appreciate everyone involved in making my meal. Every last detail was perfect.
If this restaurant is something you want to experience but perhaps may be too pricey, I suggest you save up and do it at least once in your lifetime.
Reservations are difficult to obtain for parties of 2. I highly recommend going with 3 or more.
Thanks to all the staff for making my mother's birthday dinner very special--especially Andrew and Jay. Thanks, guys!
The sad part is that after July 1, 2012, they will not be serving Foie Gras. It will be against the law in California. Shame. -
Review from April B.
Los Altos, CA
4/14/2012
I have to say that I was a little underwhelmed. Don't get me wrong, the food was tasty and the service was impeccable (and I'm very grateful to everyone involved in making the evening happen). But considering what I had to go through to secure a table, I was expecting mind-blowing. Maybe I'm just jaded. But I've definitely dined at other establishments (that didn't involve as much fanfare) that were just as good (if not better).
And no cocktails. What's up with that? -
Review from illyanna M.
San Francisco, CA
4/18/2012 8 photos
I'll admit, three days later all of the meal is a blur. Certain components of several dishes stick out in my memory, a few of those components blew me away, most of them just accompaniments rather than the star. I'm weird like that. Also, since this is the mecca of fine dining, I've vowed that this is my last upper crust, uncomfortable, squeeze into a dress and let the lion mane flow freely experience. I just prefer to do casual fine dining, Portland style.
Oysters and Pearls. Can I help it that if, to me, the texture of this reminds me of Mac and Cheese? Yes, it might be an insult to someone who was shooting for something more refined. However, eating is supposed to bring forth memories of our childhood, is it not? With that being said, not just any Mac and Cheese, (hangs her head in shame) Kraft brand. It was truly the richest thing I've ever eaten. My first time eating oysters, they're more tiny pockets of sea water that melt onto your tongue than the squishy, rubbery textured things I imagined. I was shocked. White Sturgeon Caviar, first caviar experience, which it's possible has created an expensive addiction.
Lamb Saddle. Yes, the saddle was succulent and tender. Yes, it was cooked perfectly medium rare. However, the accompanying micro baby Nantes carrots and a Medjool date Barbajuan blew me...fucking...away. How could a tiny cracker be so explosive? This minuscule bite has created in me a fervent minister of dates. How I love you so.
These things, along with the two exceptionally server we had made this a most memorable night, not to be forgotten. It also capped out my tolerance for billion-courses fine dining. -
Review from John L.
Irvine, CA
5/17/2012 1 Check-in Here
--- The Food ---
High quality ingredients and overall very tasty. I won't spend too much time describing the specific dishes since the menu continually changes.
The tasting menu covered pretty much every one of my favorite food items from sashimi to lamb to lobster to chocolates and donuts. I also had the opportunity to taste fois gras and caviar for the very first time! For the first couple courses, the array of different colors, textures and food flavors were almost overwhelming. Making sure I didn't overlook anything, I took small bites of my food and made as many flavor combinations with the different items on my plate.
With each new course, the servers would place the plate in front and give a brief description of the the ingredients, its preparation or its location of origin. But soon I really started to wish there was more background to the food in front of me. Sure I was told what it was and where it came from, but what I really wanted to know what was what made each dish so special and why the chef would pair the different ingredients together.
After the first couple hours, the small bites of food were starting to wear me down. The silver utensils looked bigger and bigger in comparison to the ever tiny morsels of food I was trying to pick up and taste. By this point my impatient mouth was craving something bigger or something that I could sink my teeth into. The climax of the meal came near the end with wonderfully prepared dishes like cod, quail, lamb and lobster, but the portion size was just enough for a few small bites.
At the end of the day, I walked out full and satisfied. Each carefully prepared dish was completely unique and unlike anything I've ever seen. I would caution newcomers to not expect every course to be a mind-blowing experience. Overall the food and the presentation and were very good.
--- Service ---
In short, the service was outstanding. They carefully tracked your meal progress, cleared the plates promptly, served all parties at the table at the same time, and made sure your drink glasses were never empty.
The highlight of the night was going down to see the kitchen. The quiet dimly lit dining room at one end of the hallway quickly opens up to a whole new world with bright lights, silver counter tops, white plates and the most amazing assortment of food dishes waiting to be served.
--- Environment ---
The dining room upstairs was small and cozy. It's not a super exclusive area where you have the place to yourself. Instead the table are placed far enough to feel separated but still close enough to overhear other table conversations.
The upstairs dining room has windows facing the garden across the street and collects a lot of light before sunset. Overall the lighting is dim during dinner time and makes taking photos a challenge. The wait staff will be quick to remind you that there is no flash photography allowed in the dining room.
--- Parking---
Despite its exclusive reservation list and a small dining room, street parking in front is ample and parking is relatively easy to find. Strangely, valet service is not available.
--- Summary ---
Was this the best meal of my life? -- No
Is the food very good? -- Yes
Would you go back again? -- Probably not
Was it a great experience? -- Absolutely -
Review from T B.
Dana Point, CA
5/4/2012
If words could describe my culinary experience at French Laundry, I would say it was like a bit of heaven in my mouth. The adventure was unlike any I have ever experienced; between the synchronized plate drops and removals, the sophisticated palate of flavors in each dish, the never ending courses of stunning displays, it was simply breathtaking. I would recommend this dining experience to everyone as it's unlike anything you will ever experience anywhere else. The food was delicate and heavenly. The waiters were gorgeous. The wine menu was exquisite. Thomas Keller is my new hero.
-
Review from Alan L.
Mountain View, CA
4/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
I don't think there's much that can be added to the well-deserved accolades already heaped on this American treasure. I just want to add that it's taken me a few days to absorb fully the breadth of the experience.
When experienced as a whole, The French Laundry is a simply sublime delight to the senses. Nestled in Yountville, a small town 1.5+ hour drive from the Silicon Valley/San Francisco Rat Race (Where Even If You Win, You're Still Just a Rat (TM)), you genuinely feel transported to a different world. Before dinner, I sat on a quiet park bench watching the dying day's final glow over the vegetable garden, while the rest of my party wandered among the neatly arranged rows. Inexorably, the stress of fighting through rush-hour traffic slipped away, replaced with a calm serenity.
With regard to the magnificent 9-course (!!!) dinner itself, obviously the food was wonderful, with the freshest seasonal produce culled straight from the restaurant's expansive and open garden. The service was also incredibly attentive and friendly. In fact, that aspect surprised me most. While not quite as family friendly as your local Applebee's, the lack of pretension in an establishment this renowned was refreshing. There was a "simple, humble, and hard-working" aesthetic influencing everything from food to wait staff clothing, and it contributed to a welcome sense of respite from our fast-paced lives.
This was an experience to treasure. Sure, come for the food, everyone does, but take a few moments and you might be surprised to find other ways that dining here nourishes the soul. -
Review from Hadar G.
Los Altos, CA
4/6/2012
French Laundry truly lives up to it's reputation! More than just an elegant dinner it was the epitome of a world-class culinary dining experience. Don't go home without trying the Oysters & Pearls, Foie Gras and Scallop courses. Done to perfection! The service was impeccable; waiter's moves perfectly choreographed and I loved their use of an ipad to present the extensive wine list. You won't find any art on the walls or music playing in the background so that you can thoroughly focus on the food and your wonderful company.
.....And don't forget to take a tour of the kitchen on your way out! -
Review from Nigel J.
Palo Alto, CA
5/21/2012
As there are many detailed reviews let me just say that FL totally lived up to its reputation for excellence in every way. The 9 course meal was more like 14 by the time its was brought to a delicious conclusion four hours later. 4 people picked all options from the main and vegetarian menus. Every dish was fabulous. Great service, low key space, perfect in every way. And you can wander across the road and check out their vegetable garden.
-
Review from Christine N.
CA
3/13/2012 1 Check-in Here
Not everyday a girl starts her third decade :-)
My husband pretty much summed up our magical experience at the French Laundry in one sentence: "How do I grow carrots that taste like that?"
C'mon! I mean ... a carrot ... a carrot blew us away.
#
The above was the short review. This is the long one.
So, we arrived dressed to the nines 15 minutes early to our 5:30pm reservation January 27th. We had called 2 months earlier on the dot. It took only about 20 mins to acquire a Monday and a Friday reservation, but we were hoping for a Saturday one. We gave up after over an hour of re-dialing and settled on the Friday reservation.
Before getting out of the car, I screamed a little. I have been planning my 30th birthday at the French Laundry for years now and I couldn't believe it was finally happening.
It was still light out so we were able to walk around the FL garden across the street. I visited the chickens and hoped that I wasn't meeting my dinner. Then, the hubby and I walked across the street to peruse their lovely "backyard." A very polite hostess saw us milling around and came out to tell us that our table would be ready shortly.
A few minutes later, she came back, wished me a happy birthday, and led us to our table by the window. Everyone wished me a happy birthday - even Timothy Hollingsworth (who's a cutie, btw)! He's also cool as a cucumber under what seems like a lot of pressure - being the head chef and all.
Our server's name was Andrew and he was a sweet, charming, down-to-earth gentleman. I adored him because he was easy to talk to. Our sommelier was more business-like, but still nice.
My only moment of overwhelmness / nervousness came from ordering wine. I didn't know how much we wanted to spend, but knew that the hubby and I wanted to share the pairing. Sharing wasn't what we did per se (I realize now that they probably didn't want us sipping from the same glass), but what the sommelier ended up designing for us was perfect. He didn't recommend a glass of wine with each dish and we didn't want to do half-bottles of white and red. We wanted more variety so what he did was:
* glass of bubbly to start (with the gruyere pate chaud and salmon tartare cones)
* hubby and I each had our own glass of DIFFERENT white for our hors d'oeuvres
* hubby and I each had our own glass of the SAME white for our seafood courses
* SAME red for the pork belly
* DIFFERENT red for our meat course
* hubby finished with a glass of dessert wine and I finished with a glass of champagne (my request)
Some of the glasses were full glasses and some of the were half-glasses. To be honest, we couldn't tell the difference. What was miraculous was that our palettes were never exhausted and everything he picked seemed to have been "made for me." I was really worried about that, too, and didn't really get a chance to tell the sommelier what I didn't like, but somehow he nailed it. The bubbly was not too dry and the prettiest color. My Hungarian white was honey on my tongue and the hubby's riesling was one of the best I've ever had. The wine I was most excited about was the red that was served with my "cap of rib-eye." It was so dangerously soft.
So, the FL closed for two weeks in January so the staff could take a break. Right when they opened, I stalked the website every day for menu updates. And every single day, I went, "I hope my menu will be just as good." Well, ladies and gents. My menu kicked all those menus' butts. Again, it was as if it - in all its lobster, pork belly, rib-eye glory - was made just for me.
Everything was delicious, impeccably made works of art, but if I had to rank the dishes:
1. salmon tartare cones
2. pork belly
3. butter poached lobster
4. rib-eye cap
5. donuts and coffee
6. oysters and pearls
7. the 40-million salt that came with the foie gras
8. the assortment of Bouchon bread and unsalted / salted butter
9. the mignardises (highlights: pumpkin-filled chocolate truffle and insanely good chocolate & toffee covered macadamia nuts)
10. pommes anne
11. gruyere pate chaud
12. foie gras - only because I prefer seared
13. scallops - the cod was the better choice
We asked to see the kitchen and one of the oldest staff members (16+ years) obliged. It was fun seeing the pristine kitchen that inspired Pixar's Ratatouille. The staff moved like waves lapping at sand - calm, but with clear purpose.
Even though the cost - though expected - was staggering, we thought the experience was worth it and are already planning a return visit this summer! I mean, if Thomas Keller can do **THAT** with a carrot, what can he do with an heirloom tomato? -
Review from Mark L.
Freehold, NJ
4/21/2012
Finest dinner I ever experienced. The staff was incredibly attentive and knowledgeable. The food was orchestrated like a Vivaldi symphony. The surroundings were very comfortable and elegant. The wine list was to lust after. Our primary server, Aubrey, was spectacularly charming and superbly qualified.
Now to the food. OMG. Every course was better than I could have imagined. All were favorites and paired perfectly with the chosen wines. I would award 6 stars to Thomas Keller and his staff. -
Review from Christina C.
Santa Clara, CA
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Review from Alan W.
One of my long overdue reviews, but it was quite a memorable experience. I luckily nabbed reservations for this place memorial day weekend through open table.
Everyone has already raved about the food, not much else to say. The atmosphere here is very proper. I went to take off my jacket as I was sitting down, but the waiter asked that I keep it on, guess it makes the place more "classy".
The room I was in only had about 4 tables. The venue dosn't seem very big, but I didn't really walk around inside. Outside is very nciely maintained and good places to take pictures and relax while you wait for your reservation. There is also bouchon bakery and bouchon just a short walk away.
The decor is very homely, its not a concrete/stone/modern. Bathroom was not overdone but felt comfortable.
Service was top notch and the servers were very well educated. One of the best meals of my life, and one of the most pricey! Great experience and treasured every moment.Listed in: Michelin Collection
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Review from Andrew H.
San Jose, CA
4/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
Fantastic on all levels.
The complex flavors they bring to the table and the sheer knowledge and attention to detail of the staff make this an unforgettable experience.
Went with a large group and was impressed at how well coordinated the service was with all 10 people served and plates cleared... I think we met everyone from the staff working that night and the level of training, knowledge and enthusiasm from the staff is what makes this place so special. -
Review from Ethan N.
Colton, CA
3/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
I REALLY didn't want to give this place 5 stars because I feel like I'm giving in to the hype. But on reflection, and looking at what Yelp determines 5 stars should be, this place earns it. And it's rather unfair to allow hype to bias a review.
I'll cut to the chase and save you time. If you have the opportunity to eat here and you have the bankroll, then do it. It's been rated one of the best restaurants in the world at one time or another. Does some dude's opinion on Yelp trump that? It shouldn't.
Getting a rezzie here can be an ordeal. They only take reservations within two months in advance and getting one is a crapshoot. However I know plenty of people who have called in and gotten one within a week of dining there due to cancellations, so you never know.
You go here to get the tasting menu so that you can have an organized dining experience. You will be quite full from this, so come hungry.
I was considering breaking down the dishes one by one ... but I just don't see the point. I'll just summarize. Everything is perfectly executed, the flavors are unique and harmonious, and you will taste things you never have before.
But that being said, I can't recall a single dish that was incredibly memorable beyond their oysters and pearls. The food was all great, but nothing I had was "the best" version of itself, if that makes sense. Does that change my opinion? Nope. Fine dining is about execution, precision, clean flavors, and respect for the ingredients.
The French Laundry nails all of those, and it deserves its accolades. -
Review from Travel Bug X.
Manhattan, NY
4/25/2012 1 photo
This place is so overrated. I went with my husband as a celebratory wedding dinner the day after our wedding and we were both so excited as we had been waiting to try this restaurant for years.
First of all, the hostess was so pretentious. When we stepped in the door, she looked us up and down and frowned a bit.
There were 2 tasting menus to choose from. Vegetarian and regular. Honestly, aside from one dish with lobster, all of it was mehh and just felt like a snobby experience.
Our friends tried the vegetarian menu a couple days before us and they also felt like they had just wasted their time and money.
Save your appetites boys and girls..... not worth it. -
Review from Sung C.
San Francisco, CA
3/14/2012
I really can't get over how expensive and difficult to make a reservation at this place is for what you get. I consider myself pretty well-rounded and sensible when it comes to food but this place just did not manage to surprise nor blow me away like Benu or Quince did.
don't get me wrong here, this is a really, really good place.. the dishes were really nicely executed and there were no problems with the food, but i didn't go to this place to have something nicely executed or delicious, but to be inspired and surprised. yes, there were a couple of delicious dishes (the oyster was really great!!) but i didn't find them inspired overall.
if you like classic cooking, you would really appreciate this place and so did I. but it just didn't hit the spot for me. I would recommend Benu or Quince over this place for the price and less hassel.
If you still want to go here, go here for the experience, not just for the food, I think you will be satisfied. our waitress was awesome, by the way. -
Review from Veronica E.
Santa Rosa, CA
4/12/2012 ROTD 4/22/2012
The first thing you need to know about the French Laundry is that no matter what you think, or how many yelp stars you decide to give it, it is one of the best restaurants in the entire world - in fact , it has been named "Best Restaurant in the World" by Restaurant Magazine two years in a row, and It has also relentlessly held three Michelin Stars (the highest honor, to which not even 100 restaurants in the world have yet to receive) since 2006. So, if you went there, and were even slightly "disappointed" or left just "not understanding the hype", then my friend, just stay home, because there is no hope for you.
The second thing you need to know about the French Laundry is you will never fully understand the enormity of the sheer labor and endeavor behind each dish. A militia of the finest staff and purveyors, clinical cleanliness, never a corner cut, painstaking drudgery perhaps, concepts and technique so thoughtfully executed that the humble egg is brought to imperialism, meticulous after meticulous task to ensure that your plate, your dish, your bite is sublimely perfect.
My experience there fell nothing short of this, period.
If you haven't gone, go. Squirrel your loose change away for a while, buy a nice suit, and live a little. You can't take it with you anyway. -
Review from MIA N.
3/6/2012 1 Check-in Here
Does this place need another review? LOL. Yes, will be back to update.
We had an amazing dinner in the FL garden with Thomas Keller himself!
The whole experience was fantastic, from the detailed tour of the garden by their main gardener/farmer to Thomas Keller explaining the meaning behind his food and menu.Listed in: FineWine&Dine - ROMANCE.
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Review from James G.
3/19/2012
The food: Every single dish was the fast train to flavortown. Every. Dish.
The environment: was friendly and more casual than you'd imagine. Yes, casual.
The service: top notch (yes better the the place you're thinking of right now), knowledgeable, friendly, and with just the perfect amount of attentiveness.
Should I go: Yes. -
Review from Rachelle W.
Studio City, CA
2/10/2012
Save up some money, pick out your favorite eating companions, and head to Yountville.
EAT HERE, ONCE IN YOUR LIFE.
Flying to Napa for 1 day to take my mom, her best friend, my hubby, and myself to TFL sounds like a big commitment for one meal. It was honestly worth EVERY penny, every ounce of time, stressful reservation calling, outfit planning, and wine selection that was involved. The four of us sat 1 table away from Drew Barrymore for 4.5 hours and enjoyed the best meal of our lives. And it was LUNCH!
The French Laundry is like going to an classy dinner at a friend's house. Despite being the most flawless service I've ever witnessed, they manage to make it feel friendly and not intimidating. I was blown away by the people who work there as much as I was by the incredible food. Every course was perfection.
TIPS:
- At least 1 person needs to get the supplements so the table can try. The Foie Gras was the best I've ever tasted.
- EAT the butter. It comes from some magical place and tastes like heaven. It cant be bought in stores, so just eat lots of it while there.
- The wine list on the ipad was so long, take advantage of the advice provided by the sommelier. I told him a price range and a region and he picked 2 perfect choices for our table. **I read that somewhere- Don't make it awkward by not giving him a price range... it just embarrasses one of you if he suggests something too high or low. Simply tell a sommelier what you want to spend and its their job to pick the best choice!**
- Go for Lunch... You have plenty of time to enjoy the food and wine while still being able to walk through the gardens in day light. Definitely take a break half way through... you will be thankful you did by the time the first dessert course arrives.
- I was able to get a Saturday reservation on my first attempt... but I tried for 45 solid minutes NON STOP before someone picked up. Don't give up. Just get used to the redial button.
-$1700 total bill--- WORTH EVERY PENNY.
Thank you Milton and everyone at TFL for an unforgettable experience. -
Review from Alex P.
Watchung, NJ
2/10/2012
I'm not going to write a long, course-by-course review. The food is amazing and the menu changes everyday. What I'll talk about is the debate that many people probably go through in there head. Whether it's worth $270 per person plus drinks for a meal.
The answer to me is a resounding "YES"!!! I can safely say that within my meal, I had the best lobster, duck, and steak that I've ever had anywhere in my life. Hell, these guys caremelized romaine lettuce and that alone tasted amazing. They took a root vegetable (Salsify) that I've never had and coated it in black truffle...this was great too.
The service is phenomenal. You're there for 3-5 hours depending on how fast you eat, how much you drink, and whether you take any breaks. As they only do one dinner seating per night, it doesnt matter how long you take. That table is your for the night. The service, explanation of each dish, and assistance with choosing wines makes the whole experience more than just a heavenly meal. I came in slightly skeptical because the place is so hyped up and is an institution; in my opinion, it easily lives up to the hype.
The only problem is that this was a "I figure I'll eat here once in my life" meal and halfway through, I began thinking of how/when I can come back here. I couldnt afford to do this very often, but I do think that it's worth every penny. -
Review from Carl G.
San Francisco, CA
5/3/2012
excellent, A person must know about food and truly must understand what it takes to make an experience this is not for everyone.
Enjoy!! -
Review from Joshua L.
NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CA
2/18/2012
The best meal I have ever had.
Somehow I managed to secure a reservation the same day. I was extremely excited.
We of course had the prix fix menu and everything was unbelievably amazing. You can read every review listed and if you haven't eaten here before its really impossible to explain how good it is.
And this place is beyond expensive - two people and our bill was $1200 with wine pairings and a "reasonable" bottle of wine. -
Review from Cassandra E.
San Mateo, CA
Okay-- So here it goes! Three months of anticipation certainly deserves a review!
My foodie friend and I finally made it the the French Laundry for the first time ever.
He did the regular Chef's Selection. I, the vegetarian menu.
Here's my ratings:
Service: 5 Best service I've ever experienced in my life! I got cold and one of the waiters brought a shaw to wrap over my shoulders! Another example, when I went to the restroom, my friend was not served absolutely anything until I returned to the table!
Ambiance: 5 Beautiful, simple, elegant interior. Adorably, quaint exterior. Loved the gardens across the street and the brick courtyard towards the right of entrance.
Food: 4 1/2 The dishes were not creative or amazing. One of the vegetarian courses was yogurt and granola as an appetizer...and it did not really go well with the other dishes or feel like it went with the rest of the meals; I didn't get that dish. Another course was vegetarian for the Chef's and better than mine, yet I didn't understand why we both didn't get the same thing? I wasn't the only one that felt this way though, my meat eatin' counterpart felt the same way; the way he put it was that, overall, the whole food selection didn't exactly "wow" him.
Overall rating of the French Laundry: 4 3/4 Honestly, I've had a better ;-)Listed in: A Round of Applause!
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Review from Caye Q.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2012
THE FRENCH LAUNDRY - CHEF THOMAS KELLER need I say more???
I can't even describe to you the anticipation and excitement we felt in coming to dine here. It was an experience of a lifetime. We hyped and built momentum for our lunch here and it DID NOT disappoint, not one bit.
The AMBIANCE is simply beautiful. A charming garden with ingredients they use and a lovely patio where you can sit and talk about how awesome your meal was. The SERVICE is incredible. Everyone was extremely friendly and courteous. The FOOD...wow, the FOOD. I have no words to describe. It's literally indescribable. The taste - how each ingredient compliments itself, the textures - how everything just melts in your mouth, the presentation - how its feels like your digesting art is simply magical. Chef Keller transforms your culinary experience into a trip into another world. He turns a 4 HOUR - 12 course meal into a dining masterpiece. I've only started becoming a foodie and haven't been to too many restaurants but NOTHING compares to The French Laundry and probably nothing ever will...... -
Review from D B.
San Jose, CA
3/5/2012
Best place I will probably ever eat at for the rest of my life! 10 stars for this truly sophisticated dining experience.
Big bills, tough to get a table, but it is the best. Took three days to make weeknight reservations because you have to call several months in advance and their tables fill up fast. I really lucked out getting the same night as my wife's birthday when I finally got through.
The nine course meal was absolutely amazing and the extra desserts were also so good even though we were quite full after 2.5 hours of pure food enjoyment. When we finished our meal our server took us into the kitchen and let us see their very intricate kitchen operation and we got to wave to their other restaurant in New York via video screen and camera. Meeting the chef after having such an enjoyable meal was a great touch. By the time we were through we had spent just over 3 hours at the French Laundry.
Great service, food pairings, and wine made this experience a once in a lifetime event... That I would very much like to repeat!
Three words that come to mind when I think of this place: exquisite, remarkable, and forever memorable. -
Review from Sheeva G.
4/2/2012 3 photos
"Finesse: refinement and delicacy of performance, execution, or artisanship."
I noticed this amazing definition framed above a doorway inside the French Laundry kitchen, and all I can say is that the word "finesse" is only one of a thousand memorable words that describe Thomas Keller and his unparalleled talent.
The French Laundry is more quaint instead of luxurious. It is a small stone cottage with beautiful vines and ivy flowing up the walls. If I had to describe the ambiance, I'd call it "simple elegance".
We started with two glasses of Krug champagne and the salmon tartare cornets with sweet red onion creme fraiche. The cornets were delectable, to say the least. The creme fraiche was smooth and delicious and the onion was a tiny bit tangy. Then we had the oysters and caviar dish. If I had to choose one dish before I die, this would be it. I saved the majority of my champagne for this dish to enhance the savory flavors of the caviar. You really cannot top caviar and amazing champagne! The sabayon of pearl tapioca was exquisite, and each bite with the caviar and oysters was luscious. As small as it was, it really made an impact.
The next dish was a salad of the famous French Laundry garden beets with English peas, red walnuts, and black winter truffle sauce. I was able to visit the garden the following day and see the section where the beets were grown, which was awesome. The beets with truffle were sensational. After, we had the sauteed halibut with avocado gelee, orange, radish, and sesame puree and the Cuisses de Grenouille (frog legs) with kumquat, sweet peppers and fennel. I had the frog legs and I must say they were exceptional; perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside and the sweetness of the accoutrements were lovely. My bf's halibut was delicious, especially with the avocado gelee. Both dishes were cooked to perfection.
The scallop amandine with endive, apricot, cilantro and brown butter emulsion followed.This scallop dish was absolutely a 10. I have had other fish dishes "amandine" style, but never with a scallop. It was succulent and tantalizing. Then we had the Pekin duck with black rice, raisins, cauliflower, carrots, cashew, and coconut-curry. I have really acquired a taste for duck recently and this duck was beautiful. The raisins and coconut were yummy. Our next meat dish was the lamb rib eye with potato mille feuille, trumpet mushrooms, onions and watercress. This lamb was so savory and juicy. I couldn't imagine a more mouthwatering lamb.
For our cheese course, we had Landaff cheese with bacon, polenta, asparagus, arugula and dijon mustard. The dijon mustard really paired well with the cheese. The asparagus was an interesting touch, too.. For our palate cleanser, we had an apple sorbet with toasted oats and ginger. I love palate cleansers, especially when they incorporate apple. I have never had one with oats before and it really created a smooth transition between our lamb and dessert courses.
For dessert, we had the Marjolaine with praline mousse and roasted banana sherbet and the meyer lemon parfait with huckleberries, pistachios and poppy seed ice cream. I couldn't have asked for such perfect, yet different desserts. The praline mousse was delectable and the roasted banana sherbet with hints of chocolate were spectacular. The lemon parfait was tantalizing with the tart sweetness of the huckleberries. The poppy seed ice cream was out of this world. I love poppy seed anything, so the ice cream was heavenly to me. After our desserts, we finished with the "coffee and doughnuts". This was definitely a highlight of the night. The coffee was a cappuccino semifreddo that came with cinnamon sugar doughnuts. The semifreddo was smooth and mousse-like and the cappuccino flavor was not overwhelming. Okay, so you can't finish a meal without even more sweets, right? Our server brought us a small plate of mignardises, which were special chocolates with different flavors in each one. My favorites were the peanut butter and jelly, the mint, and the passionfruit.
Our sommelier gave us great wines to pair with our dishes, and we also enjoyed a half bottle of moscato d'asti with our desserts and a lovely tea. Our kind server allowed us to view the kitchen (this was an honor) where we were able to have our menus signed by the executive chef and take plenty of pictures. I haven't found a tasting menu that didn't have any flaws, until French Laundry. The food was perfect in every way, the service was top-notch, and the atmosphere was so sophisticated, yet simple. This was the best experience with the love of my life. I have found a new favorite restaurant and I cannot wait to come back again with my amazing man for a romantic and beautiful evening. What a world-class fine dining establishment. Thomas Keller is a genius.Listed in: The Michelin list, The Faves
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Review from LeeLee C.
Milpitas, CA
2/4/2012 30 photos
4 star for food and 5 star for service.
After spending 3.5 hours in the French Laundry, I feel like spending another 30mins on them, at least virtually. Afterall, it's quite an experience that is worth documenting.
We arrived promptly at 5.30am for our reservation. The establishment is a small low profile house with a chic courtyard. Had it not for the sign of "French Laundry parking lot", we weren't quite sure this was it. Of course, once we drove into the small parking lot and saw the brand name cars, we felt reassured.
The restaurant itself was 2 stories, not big at all with a small den at the front for guests waiting to be seated. It didn't feel as grand as other restaurants but seeing the amount of staff on site made me felt well taken care of.
We opted for the Chef's Tasting Menu and our server, whom has been with the French Laundry from the very beginning, was helpful in explaining the menu. We found the sake menu an interesting insertion and he suggested to pair with the oyster and pearl.
The menu was long and I had to say although each dish seemed to be in small amount, I walked out feeling bloatingly full. In fact, we had to slow down during mid way to take a break. Their wine menu is now on ipad, rather convenient to browse through than the 100 page thick book.
Overall, the food is not bad, but I have to say that compared to Baume, the creativity level is lower and they tend to play safe too much. Because of the lengthy offering of dishes, there are some not so common found items such as rabbit shoulder that I like, but the dishes don't appeal to all senses as achieving as Baume did. Below is a recap on things we eat:
Salmon tartare in sesame cone: The salmon was OK but the cone seemed to be the highlight. I could taste the freshness of it and the sesame flavor. To put them into the mouth in one bite brought out the sesame's aroma. A nice combination.
Oyster and Pearl: I felt like the oyster can be served on its own, a very creamy dish overall and the cream and caviar did a very excellent job of contrasting each other and yet highlighted the savory flavor of the caviar with a smooth polish. I don't think pairing it with sake did any uplifting to either the wine or the dish though.
Salad of Little Farms Potato: The garden tarragon sauce was nice, otherwise, it's just fried potatos.
Moulard Duck Foie Gras au Torchon: $30 supplemental charge. The foie gras itself was silky smooth, but it wasn't quite strong in flavor. On the other hand, the pairing thick toast bread was very nice in texture. What I like about this dish is that we had 3 kinds of salt placed in front for us to sample taste with the foie gras. I love the mint flavored salt, very refreshing and interesting.
Alaskan King Crab: I like the presentation of it in a clear plastic bowl instead of white china. Butter poached crab meat, good flavor and texture. I like the side dishes more as those little beans brought out my curiousities.
Sauteed fillet of Mediterranean Lubina: Love the chorizo infusion at first bite as the flavor clearly declares its presence. The fish seemed slightly overcooked although it didn't destroy the taste.
Georges Bank Sea Scallops Poelees: I really really think the scallops were overcooked. Although the waiter explained that it's seared on one side only, I didn't find the seared side crispy, but the whole scallop texture was harder than normal.
Salmon Creek Farm Pork Belly: A very disappointing dish, or maybe I didn't expect it right. The belly itself was a bacon cut, but it wasn't fat enough. Unlike the usual pork belly where they offer crispy skin and fattening meat, this felt like it was a piece of semi-dried ham. The texture was consistent, but not fat enough to give that rich smooth feeling. The pairing kumquat on the other hand, was too stand out on its flavor. If it was toned down 20%, it would be nice.
Devil's Gulch Ranch Epaule de Lapin: The rabbit shoulder. Boy it was delicious! Excellent sauce and excellent meat texture, juicy, fresh, bouncy meat texture that gave out the pride of the chef doing everything right. Bravo!
Garnet Yam Tortellini: $50 supplement. I got greedy and went after the winter black truffle, which was a good decision. The shaved black truffle was fresh, beautiful and delicioius. Not wanting me to eat alone, the chef offered my hubby steamed egg with truffle oil and it was creamy and delish!
Snake River Farms Calotte de Boeuf Grillee: Simply put, a steak. The bone marrow sauce smelled great but the steak itself, mm, just a steak. A safe dish.
Jasper Hill Farm Habison: The cheese dish. The cheese is cows milk from Vermont, good stuff, don't like the fig and walnut pairing though, esp the fig.
The desserts were even less impressive, grapefruit sorbet, chocolate mousse, funnel cake with baked apple. All in all, I was wowed by the excellent service, and a nice kitchen tour. -
Review from Creamie S.
San Francisco, CA
4/17/2012 3 photos
This was my 2nd time dinning at the French Laundry and it certainly lives up to its renowned Michelin 3 Star reputation. Service has always been impeccable. They even offered to take photos of me many times. The decor was cozy with a very French little village ambiance. It could be more magnificently decorated though. The food was delicious and exquisite. I was happy and satisfied both times but I have yet to be mind blown. One impressive thing is their menu changes every season (if I remember correctly) :)
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Review from Mylea C.
San Francisco, CA
1/20/2012
To the diner that was upset about the loaner jacket: Read the website.... this is the best restaurant in the world - you might want to "dress for dinner". Other diners are paying for their meal but also the experience which is meant to be elegant so yes a jacket and no jeans. I am sorry but did you hear yourself whining that you had to 'dress up' for a 1,000 dollar meal? Seriously, who is totally spoiled and entitled? Pardon my rant but am tired of spoiled people (anyone that can afford to dine here is by definition privileged in this world - self included) complaining about nonsense stuff when there are real problems in this world - real humiliations - and wearing a loaner jacket when you are too stupid to check the dress code is not at the top of my list.
Now - about the place.....
We have been twice - going back March 4 this year (just booked today for 10 people) and every time it has been all that the hype has built it up to be.
Last time we had a 16 course private meal. We are booked in the private dining room again and already salivating at the prospect of foie gras and well...really anything on the menu that day. The salts with the foie gras alone made it perhaps my favorite course. Oysters with pearls are a classic but last time it was the lamb that stole the show. If you eat say seafood or poultry but not red meat they will customize the tasting menu for you...you don't have to do the pure veggie tasting option. I have always enjoyed the cheese course as well and the little chocolates brought with coffee at the end of the meal.
The best thing about the private dining option is that there is one seating per meal (lunch or dinner) so you are at your leisure. We were becoming full so took a "break" and sat on the terrace with our wine enjoying the lovely late summer evening for perhaps 30 minutes or more. The staff were extremely attentive and when we were ready to resume our meal picked up like we had never left.
Everything was simply perfection: food, service, wine, atmosphere, - every little detail down to the place cards with our names in calligraphy.
We will keep going back as long as they are open. -
Review from Jeremiah C.
Indianapolis, IN
4/11/2012
There are no words. Perfect meal. Perfect experience. As I was underage when we went the chefs took the time to pair my meal with flavored sodas, mostly Boylans. The oysters and pearls are beautiful. The foie gras course was incredible, served with various salts to enhance the flavor. The cornet is a perfect amuse. The smores dessert was perfect as was the coffee and doughnuts. I have only good things to say.
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Review from Chris M.
WOODLAND HLS, CA
3/17/2012
I had the pleasure of doing an extended 18-course, seven hour long dinner there, and it redefined what a meal can be! If you're looking for extremely modern food (i.e. molecular gastronomy and the like), TFL is not the place you'll find it. Instead you get some of the most refined cooking around.
Some of the highlights:
Nantes Carrot Velouté - an incredible rendition of carrot soup - with hints of warm honey and a very smooth texture, not to mention a beautiful presentation of puréed peas, milk foam, and miniature flower blossoms. This was one of my personal favorites.
Foie Gras "Pastrami" - much different than the foie gras en terrine or foie gras au torchon I've seen on the menus at TFL, this came with a personal pan of "hoe bread" - a very heavy corn bread to go with the foie gras. Like M&Ms claim to do, the foie gras literally melted in my mouth - amazing!
"Toad in the Hole" - A miniature toad in the hole (grilled cheese with a fried egg in the middle) made with a sharp, oaky Comte cheese and a quail egg. I wish I could make grilled cheese this good!
Overall an amazing experience. The extended menu is worth doing once (although the price tag for food was nearly double that of the standard menu), but I found myself struggling by the amount and richness of the food about halfway through. The staff was wonderful and encouraged us to take our time and take breaks out in the garden, which allowed us to perservere through the rest of the meal. -
Review from Jonathan B.
San Jose, CA
4/24/2012
Well, there's already over a thousand reviews so I probably won't have much value to add to the string. But having the absolute privilege of eating at the French Laundry warrants some "Yelping".
My best man took me and my wife here as our wedding gift. He, as do we, really does enjoy the finer things in life. I was ignorant of the French Laundry until I received the proper education. Needless to say, it lived up to every expectation I had. You know that problem you have when people hype something up SO much that said thing becomes only "ok" once finally experienced? Well, that wasn't the case at all here. I'd also like to point out that an Amex Centurion was required to get us in since we didn't make the reservations a year in advance. So that was part of the experience.
Part of the greatness is not only the food, but also being catered to for several hours of the finest dining one can imagine. The courses just kept on coming even after I thought we'd made it through what was promised. The server would come out and bring something new/unexpected and say something like "The chef is trying this out tonight". The service was outstanding. I mean.. OUTSTANDING. There are very few tables and it's a very intimate setting. Being surrounded by wine country just completes the ambiance.
As for the food, much of it pushed the limits of my comfort zone. Such odd creations. If you're picky and not adventurous then you might struggle through some of the courses. For example, I'm not a big fish eater. Imagine my worry when they come out with salmon puree in a small cone (this was one of my favorites of the night, in fact). The lobster bisque was fantastic. Honestly, the individual courses are hard to recall (it's been a while since we've been) but I DO remember clearly that each time you take that first bite you just lean back in your chair shocked by the sensation. I've never had a cheeseburger do THAT before ;-).
Anyway, it's an amazing experience if you can get in the restaurant and can afford it. The price is extremely high but worth every cent. -
Review from Melissa M.
Mount Pleasant, TX
4/22/2012
Reservations are very difficult to acquire. We had to enlist the aid of the AmEx Platinum Concierge to get a table for 4. We celebrated our friend's 40th birthday, and what an experience it was! We thought that the staff was a little pretentious at first, but after a while, they started warming up to us. Service was impeccable, and the food was amazing! The Oysters and Pearls, which has been a staple their menu, has been one of our favorites. My personal favorite was the braised pork belly, which I hope you're lucky enough to experience if you go.
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Review from isael s.
Portland, OR
2/27/2012
AMAZING...
Great overall service and dinning experience. Worth a visit, that is if you can get a table.
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