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The French Laundry Yountville Reviews
The Best
Love Thomas Keller and all he does so much. Finally made it to TFL for our 30th anniversary. Our expectations were so high and we worried we would leave with some disappointments (as we have done with a few other of the world’s bests), but nothing disappointed. The staff was amazing – attentive, congratulatory doing several things to recognize our anniversary, engaging, and proud of what they were serving. The food did not disappoint either. So many top restaurants stretch with gastronomic “art”, but TFL is just incredibly well done fine dining. Each course was amazing but really enjoyed the mainstay Oysters and Pearls (it stays on the menu for a serious reason), lobster, truffle mac and cheese (most tasty supplement), and Elysian Fields lamb. Even the salmon cone amuse was great and the perfect start. And the whole complement of desserts did not disappoint. Unlike many fixed menu restaurants, they do not have a fixed set of wine pairings, but our sommelier worked with us on about five half bottle selections to pair perfectly. It’s a one-in-a-lifetime bucket list meal that we definitely want to find the next special occasion to go again. Get the kitchen tour too – unbelievable!
Love Thomas Keller and all he does so much.
Finally made it to TFL for our 30th anniversary. Our expectations were so high and we worried we would leave with some disappointments (as we have done with a few other of the world's bests), but nothing disappointed. The staff was amazing - attentive, congratulatory doing several things to recognize our anniversary, engaging, and proud of what they were serving. The food did not disappoint either. So many top restaurants stretch with gastronomic "art", but TFL is just incredibly well done fine dining. Each course was amazing but really enjoyed the mainstay Oysters and Pearls (it stays on the menu for a serious reason), lobster, truffle mac and cheese (most tasty supplement), and Elysian Fields lamb. Even the salmon cone amuse was great and the perfect start. And the whole complement of desserts did not disappoint. Unlike many fixed menu restaurants, they do not have a fixed set of wine pairings, but our sommelier worked with us on about five half bottle selections to pair perfectly. It's a one-in-a-lifetime bucket list meal that we definitely want to find the next special occasion to go again. Get the kitchen tour too - unbelievable!
Meh.
This review is way overdue- as we were there nearly 3 years ago now. I honestly forgot to do a review and we’re planning another trip to Napa for September. When someone asked me if we were going back to French Laundry and my automatic response was “no”, I thought maybe I should do a review. We know a fair number of people who have been to TFL and loved it, so honestly, maybe we just were there on an off night. Firstly, our server was a woman with dark hair (can’t remember her name), and she was just kind of cold and unfriendly. My two biggest complaints are 1. They seemed like they were rushing us the entire time. To the point where they had brought out half the courses in less than an hour. I actually had to ask them to slow down, which they did, but it felt like we were an inconvenience. Kind of strange and disappointing- you go there expecting to spending close to 3 hours, and I think we were out in 2. And it would have been less if I wouldn’t have asked them to slow down. 2. The second issue was that several of the courses were lukewarm, at best. For what you’re paying, that’s pretty unacceptable. Normally, we would have said something but the server was so unfriendly, and we’d already asked them to slow the service down, so it just didn’t feel worth it. Some of the courses were quite good, and the wine list is amazing. We also loved that the have you a peek in the kitchen at the end. Again, it might been an off night. Maybe the woman that was serving us for a good portion of the meal had a bad day or whatever, but between that and the fact that several courses were cold, we probably won’t be back.
Incredible experience! Eating here is a memorable bucket
Incredible experience! Eating here is a memorable bucket list item. Over something like eight courses, the food was creative and, of course, exceptional. The kitchen tour is a highlight, as is interacting with the staff, who are clearly proud of what they have here, and are knowledgeable and interesting. Even for someone like me, who is not a sophisticated eater or a frequent fine diner, it's something you can really appreciate and enjoy. At the price point, can't say I'll visit often, but I look forward to doing it again someday.
So, after months of trying to dine here, it finally
So, after months of trying to dine here, it finally happened tonight and it was glorious. Frankly, I expected to be a bit let down because let's be honest, $400 minimum for any meal is simply a lot of money and it's hard to imagine any restaurant serving a meal worth that cost. But you know what, by the end of the meal all of us around the table said it was worth it. Why? Firstly, the wait staff were wonderful and professional. They were very attentive and made sure our glasses of water were never empty. Secondly, the flavors of the food weee exquisite . You know the classic scene in the movie Ratatouille, where one bite evokes a flood of memories for the food critic? Well, it wasn't quite like that but many dishes brought forth emotions of surprise, pleasure, and nostalgia. The food was filling, and my goodness, the dessert itself was like a 7 course treat. The staff also went far above and beyond in making my birthday special. They printed out a personalized menu and given gifted me a gift basket. THAT is hospitality and thoughtfulness that I have never experienced from a restaurant. This is one experience I will never forget!
Our recent visit to The French Laundry was nothing short of
Our recent visit to The French Laundry was nothing short of extraordinary, largely thanks to Veronica, who made our first experience unforgettable. From the moment we arrived, Veronica's passion for her job was evident. She had answers to all our questions and was incredibly helpful throughout our meal. Despite the hot weather, Veronica went above and beyond to ensure our comfort, even bringing little fans to our table. Her knowledge and enthusiasm about the restaurant and her journey with The French Laundry were truly inspiring. Additionally, another gentleman assisted us, sharing his deep appreciation for the beautiful dishware and its unique origins, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to our dining experience. The entire team was exceptionally attentive, and the food was a work of art. While the heat slightly diminished our appetite for multiple courses, the impeccable service and exquisite dishes more than made up for it. Although rescheduling due to the weather wasn't an option given the advance booking required, we were beyond thrilled with our visit. The post-meal tour of the kitchen and cellar was a fantastic end to a remarkable experience. Thank you, Veronica, for taking such amazing care of us and making our visit so special. We can't wait to return!
Beyond disappointing experience at the French Laundry or
Beyond disappointing experience at the French Laundry or possibly what I would refer to it as a Laundromat instead. This was our first experience and it will probably be the LAST one as well. Taking advantage of the 30th anniversary one would expect to see fireworks happen or some extravagant options presented to the table. Nope! Nothing special. From host to the wait staff, I saw nothing special. For the price they charge, Keller should be present. He should be there shaking hands and thanking each and every schmuck that paid 1200 per person to sit through this dinner. On top, they charge extra like 350/500/1000 for wine pairings. Unbelievable. If I could, I would dispute this with my credit card and get my money back. So underwhelming. The food was ok. Just freaking ok. There are so many better options in st Helena that put this place to shame. If management is really into customer service, I would love to discuss this experience. Nothing special. Stop wasting your time trying to get a reservation. For two people, 2400 plus wine pairings, you could buy 2 airline tickets and get a better meal at one of our amazing restaurants like Providence or Melise, both of which don't charge 1200 per person for a tote bag, a cap and a shirt. Freaking nonsense
Such a great experience.
50th birthday. Husband got us a reservation, by some stroke of luck. Food is obviously amazing but their attention to detail is what really stands out!!! One of our party had a last-minute hand surgery (last minute, like the day before the reservation). Funny thing is, when confirming/scheduling the surgery, he said to the surgeon "I have an important dinner reservation tomorrow, do you think I can still make it?" Surgeon's response is "unless it's The French Laundry, you should probably cancel." Hahhhhh. So anyway, at dinner, we're 3 courses in before we realize that the one with the post-surgical claw-hand is getting his dishes delivered PRE-CUT.....because they have recognized he probably can't cut his own food, and will need some help. So yes, they're pre-cutting his food for him, recognizing we are useless and will probably just let him struggle with his 1 hand. It was the best night. Also, for my birthday, our menu was specially printed to include a birthday wish for my birthday, and the wine bottle had a "happy birthday "message etched on it. The dessert also had sparklers on it, like July4th. I'm sure this is par for the course, but it was still amazing. They also let us tour the kitchen, which I LOVED, as an amateur wanna be cook!!! Thank you, French Laundry. Your attention to detail did not go unnoticed!!!!!
If there was a lower rating I would do lower.
. How awful the service was. I actually heard the sommelier tell someone we are "almost done" so they could turn the table. . Turning tables like mad. Don't pay for this. We went 25 years ago when they were good. This was horrible. There were black ants on the table. I killed 2 Over rated. Over priced. Pushing high price wines. Mean about wine pairings too . " give us a price of what you want to spend and we will do that ".This is not 3 stars. They are rude and uneducated on the elements of each dish. I hope Thomas Keller reads this. Food was just ok. Not 3 star. This is a reputation . Get your act together Thomas Keller you are not worth your reputation. If this is what you stand for. There are so many better places. .
Bucket List Item Met the Hype
Lived up to the hype. Straight up bucket list item, and it was outstanding. I can't even describe some of the flavors as they literally changed flavor in my mouth within a single bite. The tour of the kitchen afterwards for me felt like what a devout Catholic feels like when they go to the Vatican or a Muslim completes the Hajj.
So disappointed by our experience here.
Maybe we built it up too much before our trip but the service was just lackluster. I think they have become comfortable being a 3-star. The flavors seemed off that night as well. It might have been because we were there on Easter but we have had better experiences with Michelin 1-star restaurants in Europe.
How anybody can eat here and give it anything but 5 stars
How anybody can eat here and give it anything but 5 stars is beyond me. The pretentiousness of some yelpers is unreal. We had an excellent meal with excellent service. The vibes were good. The food was delicious. Please don't give a bad review because the price is high or because another Michelin restaurant did things differently. Can't say enough good things about our visit. If I lived in the area, I'd try to eat here for all special occasions.
top 3 meals and dining experiences I've had in my entire
top 3 meals and dining experiences I've had in my entire life. I won't say much, just GO. Worth every penny (and it will cost you just that)
Round 2 at the French Laundry: Knocked it out of the Park
We went to the French Laundry many years ago. My husband loved it, but it wasn't my cup of tea...and I accept, it may have been my limited/juvenile palate. But, we returned this May for our UC Berkeley student's college graduation dinner, and I love every bit of it, as did my three dining companions. Yes, it's expensive, maybe even over priced. But the service is AMAZING...each course was AMAZING, and when our college graduate reflects back on this experience, I think it will be a cherished memory. I would happily return at the next opportunity.
Enjoyed but expected more.
Good experience but definitely not the best I expected. Didn't get to finish dessert and no one in the kitchen was smiling. Which says it all
Yes, it is that special.
This was our family's 2nd time here. And it was spectacular. It's not just the food, but the experience. Taking family pictures in the gardens, visiting the kitchen, talking with the funny and superb staff - all of it combined with the tremendous meal is what I will forever remember. A special shoutout and thank you to Concierge Kimberly who responded so quickly and efficiently to my several emails and made certain we had our signed menus to take home!
Epic 30th anniversary dinner
A very challenging reservation to get a table for our 30th wedding anniversary but well worth the effort. From the time we were greeted until the very last item of the Evolution menu we were amazed at the culinary skills and service level. I can’t wait to go back.
Outstanding
Food and service was perfect. Flawless. The only issue were some other guests that were noisy and I suspect the wrong side of a few bottles of wine. The outside area is also still as wonderful and great place to enjoy a post dinner coffee. Everything on the menu, which is the real focus, remains colorful in selection and as one would expect perfectly seasonal for Northern California.
If you have a bucket list, dining at The French Laundry should be on it
This was our first time visiting The French Laundry. The food, the atmosphere, and the service were all superb! Thanks to the staff for making accommodations for my gluten allergy. For decades, the chef and the food at The French Laundry have deservedly received high praise, and we were not disappointed. The menu was creative, and the food was delicious! That was to be expected. However, the waitstaff also deserves kudos, because they are an integral part of the dining experience. Many young people helped to make our dinner at The French Laundry an evening to remember, however, we would like to give special thanks to Nicole, Davis, and Austen. Such professional, knowledgeable, helpful, and pleasant young people. Thanks to everyone at The French Laundry for making our special anniversary dinner memorable.
Drake-Certified
If Drake co-signs a restaurant, you have to go. Real good food mixed real good music. Good environment, and great staff.
One of the best dining experiences we have had in the
One of the best dining experiences we have had in the valley. Food was exceptional and the atmosphere was a true delight. The Champagne experience was so much fun. Chef stopping to joke and spend a good deal of time at our table a couple times throughout the night was unforgettable. Chef remembered one of our party members who had done some simple grunt work for a day there several years earlier and treated us like we were the nightly VIPs even though there were actual Hollywood VIPs just a couple tables away who did not get as much personal attention as little ol' us got. Unforgettable once in a lifetime experience
Every knows that the laws of the state do not apply to this
Every knows that the laws of the state do not apply to this restaurant. But, if you want an up close seat to politician and celebrity suck up, this is the place. If you want a reservation, the same suck up applies.
WORTH THE WAIT
After many years hearing about The French Laundry and waiting to get a reservation, accompanied some friends for a 9-course dinner. We were greeted by a very friendly waitress and given some background about the restaurant. Did have to wait about 30 to 45 minutes beyond the time of our reservation to actually be seated but then settled back for a unique dining experience. There was a lot of different foods to sample from poultry to seafood to meat dishes. All of them were well prepared, but honestly some were better than others. The buttered lobster was a personal favorite. As the evening was winding down, overwhelmed by an onslaught of various desserts. This is probably the type of place you actually visit once for the experience but it was an enjoyable evening.
The best restaurant dining experience.
The food was delicious, amazing and better than I had expected. Each dish was so flavorful and well executed. Our server was friendly and very helpful. Loved the ambiance of the outdoor farm next to the upscale home feel. Definitely worth the wait and highly recommended for those seeking the next level dining experience.
Loved it!
Once in a lifetime dining experience and what a wonderful experience it was! Every course was delicious and the wine pairings really complemented the meal.
nearly 14 years later .
.. still a 5 star experience. ambience is still refined, yet casual. update: no longer a dress code, and there were men without jackets. chef's tasting menu (with an added starter and dessert): amuse - smoked salmon everything cone and shallot cheese cracker potato vichysoisse "oysters and pearls" armando manni olive oil "panna cotta" sautéed fillet of atlantic pompano nova scotia lobster "bread and butter" "carnaroli risotto biologico" (without the truffles) charcoal grilled japanese wagyu "gougère" with compte fondu (without the truffles) citrus-mascarpone "bavarois" toasted cinnamon ice cream k+m chocolate "mousse" "mignardises" cappuccino glace with sugar donut holes thoroughly enjoyed all but the pompano (not my flavor profile). i was too stuffed to eat many of the desserts, but the citrus stood out. took the mignardises (caramel, truffles, and mini-macarons) home, along with chocolate caramels, and shortbread cookies. wonderful service ... went with friends who frequent the restaurant. astounding wine list ... enjoyed some nice chassagne montrachet, gevrey chambertin and cote rotie.
This is a review dated back in 2022 summer.
Our group of 6 booked French Laundry as the start of celebrating our dear friend's bachelorette in napa valley. When we walked into the restaurant, we were warmly greeted by the host and seated in the garden, love the environment and the prefect setting for our ladies. We opted for the chefs tasting menu (non veg) and a few of us upgraded our meals to wagyu. We begin our meal with a bottle of wine and await for the magic to begin. One of the first courses i got were freshly baked crackers, the server seemed to be a bit nervous and dropped one of the crackers on our table, accidents happen its ok, however, the server proceeded to pick up the crack with their hands and placed the plate in front of me. After a few mins of waiting, with my girls already beginning their meals, i am still staring at the crumbs on the table and hand touched cracker waiting for it to be replaced. The head server eventually came by, and replaced the crackers and cleaned out the crumbs. As the dinner goes on, i was shocked the timing between the dishes served were super long and there were lots of awkward moments of us girls waiting for over 10-12 mins for each course to arrive. Not only that, after the plates were done, we had to wait another 15 mins for the dishes to be cleared out, making our dinner into a 4.5 hours dinner as the night chills started picking up. I expected timing services and basic food safety if i am going to pay over 500 usd per person for a 3 stars meal. I went to another 3 stars restaurant in chicago prior and the service were way more attentive and what i expected from a 3 star restaurant. I am glad i came here as a check off my list, food was delicious and well made. I am a big fan of their oysters and pearls (signature) and their sweet butter poached nova scotia lobster. However, the service really needs to up their game. If i am going back to napa and have reservations booked, i will visit one more time, otherwise it was slightly disappointing experience.
Underwhelmed, sadly
Very underwhelming. The food was good, but not exceptional. The staff was super attentive and the space was nice, but in the end it is about the food. I had a piece of lamb that was quite difficult to cut, and tough. The desserts all came out rapid fire. Everything “looked” great, but once again it came down to the flavor, which was for a quarter of the dishes, not there. Hated to give this place 3 stars. Went to KOMI in D.C. years back that blew this out of the water! Turned to my friend who said the same thing when leaving.
All the details from food, drinks to service and ambience
All the details from food, drinks to service and ambience were perfect making our visit enjoyable.
This was supposed to be the greatest dining experience in
This was supposed to be the greatest dining experience in my life that turned into a nightmare. We were celebrating our friend's birthday. The food looks very good and tastes good too but at some point, I got sick during the dinner. I felt noxious and went to the bathroom and believe me you don't want me to go to the details. I'll just say that my stomach extracted the 3-star food in a second in two ways at the same time. This will haunt me forever thinking of high dining...
The anticipation surrounding this experience is entirely
The anticipation surrounding this experience is entirely justified with a staggering lineup of 14 meticulously crafted courses, complemented by an amuse bouche to set the tone for the culinary journey. Every dish surpassed expectations, even those featuring ingredients I typically avoid, such as oysters. Surprisingly, the duck course emerged as my favorite, though it's a challenge to definitively pinpoint one standout dish given the consistently high quality throughout the meal. The wine pairings enhanced each course superbly. The service was impeccable from the moment we stepped through the door, with a thoughtful tour of the kitchen adding to the overall experience. The ambiance exuded a homely charm rather than the typical commercial restaurant atmosphere, elevating the overall dining experience. While every aspect was exceptional, the true highlight undoubtedly lay in the outstanding culinary creations. Definitely worth the three drive.
Bucket list.
My wife knows about my list and to celebrate my milestone 75th birthday brought in my buddy of 50 years from Japan and took our daughter and all to dinner. Back in the 1920s a stone building on this location was a French laundry. They used to steam clean clothes for the locals. After sometime, it was inhabited by this restaurant headed by world class Chef, Thomas Keller. At this time there is some construction going on on the property because his vision is moving forward with the cuisine and taking it to the next level so don't be disappointed when you arrive if there are alternate entrances or carpeting you have to walk on. It's no surprise. They maintain a three Michelin star restaurant because quality and perfection is mandatory at this location. We arrived as they opened, and were escorted to our reserved table in a little niche of a corner with only three small tables, which made it very intimate,. You're surrounded by red brick and candlelight and great company . From the minute that we got to the front door to the time that we left the building, there was so many staff members willing and smiling and helpful every step of the way to assist you we lacked for nothing. Everything that comes out to your table could be on the cover of a magazine. The flavors have every little nuance and umami and texture that you could imagine in this wonderful nine course meal. You are able to select between two menus items.One menu that has vegetarian offers. The other menu which offers the meat portions, and it comes with an assortment of amuse boche. In total before you have finished your meal, you will have had nine servings at your table and it's very filling even though it arrives in small amounts, you know there is more coming. With fine cuisine. It is well known that it's about the quality and not the quantity but there's nothing lacking on the quantity by the end of the meal. We were all completely satisfied. As you arrive in front, it's very unassuming because of the old architecture as their restaurant facing the road still has that feel of the 1920s . Across the road behind us, you could see the vast acreage of plants and vegetables. where they locally source their most of their fresh produce and herbs for their recipes. What they can't grow. They work with a range of farmers and ranches not only in the United States but far as far away England for the finest projects available. it's a gorgeous place to take a walk and look at what they've done. They have probably the most impressive wine list I've ever seen which is about 174 pages of some of the finest selections in the world. Also available or spirits and beer or cider if you wish. With four people at the table, we ordered an assortment to be able to see the good range of what they offer. We mixed our order with duck lamb risotto and salmon. I could spend quite a bit of time telling you everything that came to the table but it's suffice to say that the menu changes daily, and you are going to be happy with the menus that they serve you to choose from for the daily selection. Stunning. This was a culinary adventure to remember for the rest of my life, and I hope someday to return there. I do mention that it is absolutely imperative that you make reservations months early as you can. And also be prepared is nothing that you eat is going to be inexpensive , but you should expect this with quality . I think the pictures I posted with this will tell more of a story than I could describe as I am sure some of the items will repeat on the daily menus.
Pretty disappointing for a 3 star Michelin restaurant and
Pretty disappointing for a 3 star Michelin restaurant and for all of the hype around it. The food was all okay. Nothing was excellent, except a side pastry that wasn't even part of our main meal. The veal dish that was supposed to be the main course was tough and stringy. And the service was also odd. There were 4 of us that went to the bathroom at different times. But whenever we went, they took our napkins. And then didn't give them back? I've been to other nice restaurants where they take your napkin and fold it up and give it back to you. But I think they forgot the extra steps. Even ignoring the cost of the food, it's a 3/5. If you factor in the fact that it was the most expensive meal I have ever had, I would give it a 1/5. I cannot recommend this to anyway outside of maybe a food historian. It probably was good 30 years ago, but by today's standards it's absolutely sub-par.
I traveled across the US to experience TFL and what an
I traveled across the US to experience TFL and what an Amazing Dinning experience......... every bite was delightful intriguing and mind blowing to the pallet The atmosphere was spot on...............
Do it.
Terrific experience from booking the reservation to the meal itself. It was for a special birthday. We did the chef's menu, gave the sommelier a wine budget for us, and allowed them to choose our wines. The food was amazing. The wine was terrific, but the service and attention to detail were most impressive. Perfect, but not staidly formal. The playlist was great. I am sincerely looking forward to another visit, perhaps in the summer months, so we can enjoy the gardens.
If you can, you should.
We've been lucky enough to dine here 4 times now. It's always incredible and the staff, which hasn't changed in years, is always happy to see us and makes each visit a very special occasion. We live in Southern California and have what I think is some of the best restaurants in the country and nothing comes close to the experience you'll have here.
Outstanding
amazing amazing amazing amazing amazing great place . One of the best restaurants on earth, I was invited by someone very special and it was fantastic.
Disappointing! Good food at an astronomical price
A major disappointment! I had been looking forward to a 3* Michelin experience, but while the food was (mainly) good, it was not exceptional. I believe Michelin are threatening their own reputation as the leading guide for fine dining if they allow French Laundry to retain their current rating. The Sommelier was most interested in how much he could extract from the group (when the first question is what is your budget it should have been a clue) rather than trying to ensure the best match of wine to the various dishes. I found the Cobia delightful and the Duck excellent, but the rib of lamb was not tender. The desserts were also good, but too many. The overwhelming experience was one of a restaurant that was living on its reputation and had become complacent. The manner of the staff was a little pompous and yet there are much better 1* establishments around and nothing could ever justify the price this place charges.
An Expensive Disappointment
Four of the 12 courses in the Tasting of Vegetables were good. One of those 4, was the bread. The garden broccoli "parfait" was disgusting. It looked like sludge (see picture attached) and tasted worse. The cheese course was also bad. My dinner companions who had the regular tasting were equally disappointed. The lamb was tough. The fish was also bad. The wine pairings were very average and astronomically expensive. None of the wines were particularly good. Some were not yet ready to drink and most did not complement the food. It was obvious the sole objective of the sommelier was to increase the wine tab. All of the other 4 restaurants we ate at in Yountville were significantly better and were 1/4 of the price. I am shocked this place has 3 stars. The only thing that agrees with that assessment is the price.
Once in a Lifetime Meal Experience
We've been looking forward to this experience for a long time and The French Laundry exceeded our highest expectations. This is truly a dining perfection experience. The food, venue and service were superlative. We were thinking to do a pre-set wine pairing with the 12 courses, but the sommelier asked us our preferences and price range and created a pairing specific to our tastes and budget. Our occasion was my son's 21st birthday and we were greeted at the door by name and everyone on the staff said "Happy Birthday" to my son - off-the-chart hospitality!
Lived up to the hype!
The attention to detail there is absolutely astonishing. The food was of the very best in texture and taste.
Absolutely the worst Michelin rated restaurant with any stars.
We have eaten at many (over 20) Michelan 3 star restaurants including several times at Freddy Girardet's Hoetl de Ville in Crissier, Taillevaent, Laserre, Paul Bocuse, several times at Le Tour d'Argent where we became engaged in 1977 etc. This is the worst experience and Michelin any star restaurant, we have ever visited. We reserved a table through Americn Express Concierge service at 6pm. We arrived with our friends and were told we had no reservation. They asked for a confirmation number, which was left at our hotel - 30 minutes away. They said to return at 9 and we would have a table. We were very hungry by 9, and we were their on time, and I showed them the confirmation number from Amex. The maitre d'hotel still claimed Anerican Express didn't make the reservation. We were told to wait for a table in the garden area and given a glass of champagne and bread sticks. An hour later we were the last people seated in the restaurant. Our dinner, which was the only item offered was breast of chicken! Our friend commented, "This is like the chicken at Costco." OH, by the way, we are paying $300 plus per person for a breast of chicken entree. Equally disappointing was the grossly over-priced non- descript wine list. The insulting lies from the head waiter aside, the meal was the worst of any 1 star Michelin restaurant we have ever frequented. Giving this awful experience 1 star is overeating it. If you want a better Thomas Keller meal, go to his nearby bistro restaurant. This is the most over-rated restaurant where we have eaten. SAVE YOU MONEY AND GO ELSEWHERE.
We were lucky enough to get a waitlist reservation at the
We were lucky enough to get a waitlist reservation at the last moment to TFL, and it fell on our anniversary, so my husband and I decided to splurge. We're picky when it comes to food--doesn't matter if it's haute cuisine or home-cooking served at a mom-and-pop restaurant, the food has to actually taste good--and we were a bit wary about the hype. Luckily, we needn't have worried. We had a wonderful experience! Service: Top-notch and not in a stuffy, pretentious way. The staff were friendly, enthusiastic, and worked seamlessly as a team. Lots of small touches throughout the night--e.g., when you leave the table, they take your used napkin, replace it with new one perfectly fanned on the table--done unobtrusively and in a way that makes you feel looked after. We had pleasant interactions with ALL the staff, which is amazing given how many folks there are. Everyone knew what they were doing, described the dishes wonderfully, answered our questions, and made us feel welcomed and celebrated on our special occasion. One waiter even joined in on our analysis of the latest Mandalorian episode, which was lovely :-)Ambiance: Not quite what we expected, but in a good way. When we approached the restaurant, we were surprised to hear "Don't You" from The Breakfast Club playing (we were like...is that coming from the TFL lol)? The music choices continued with a mix of 80's, 90's and even earlier classics that created a wonderful sense of nostalgia for my husband and I. According to one of the staff, this was an intentional decision to make 3-star Michelin dining approachable, and I personally applaud this decision. The restaurant itself is nice, with a pretty garden. I would say the interior seemed a bit dated, but well maintained. Weirdly, there seems to be only street parking, but this was not an issue for us as we walked from our hotel.Finally...the Food: A delicious haute-cuisine take on comfort food and nostalgic everyday dishes. For those who say TFL isn't cutting edge in terms of inventiveness, I would agree...but then again, I don't think it's trying to be. I read somewhere that Chef Keller's intention for his food is to bring happiness, and he certainly accomplished his goal with us.Out of 5 stars, I'd give everything 4-5. Presentation was beautiful, flavors were interesting and creative but never over-the-top or trying too hard. Standouts for me were the "peas and carrots" (halibut with peas); quail with the cutest little hidden quail egg; oysters and pearls (this from someone who doesn't even like oysters or caviar lol); and oh my god, the desserts. So many and so good! I was completely stuffed by this time and still somehow managed to eat a donut, Irish coffee ice cream, and a delectable chocolate-and-banana confection. Things that I enjoyed less were the cheese and cracker amuse bouche and the final cheese course (this may just be my subjective dislike of the cheese flavors). Oh, and the delicious "corned beef" course had a pierogi that wasn't very good in my opinion (but I grew up eating amazing Ukrainian food). Given how many courses there were--10? 12? we lost track--the stumbles were few in far between. Overall, the food was delicious, pleasing to all the senses, and worthy of its reputation. Overall Experience: We didn't finish our meal until nearly 11:00 pm (started at 7:30!), yet we didn't notice the time pass at all. That was how much we enjoyed ourselves. To top it off, we were presented with an amazing gift bag FULL of goodies (a box of their gorgeous chocolates, shortbread cookie tins, signed menus, etc.), and one of the wonderful staff members offered us a tour of the kitchen where we chatted with one of the chefs and they took our picture. The whole experience was top-notch, from beginning to end, and well worth even the considerable price tag. Thank you TFL for such an amazing evening. We will be back.
Beyond the beyond in every way! Exceptional food, service
Beyond the beyond in every way! Exceptional food, service and ambiance! Each taste was exquisite and beautifully presented. The wine pairings were perfect. We couldn't have had a more perfect evening!
Aloha, if you're a foodie, TLF is a must.
Really. The service is impeccable, the food and wine pairing is superb and the ambiance is amazing. Probably the best restaurant in America. If it's your birthday even the menu is catered to the individuals with your name on the top, nice touch. Every dish and wine pairing is amazing so perfect. I can't even elaborate as no justice would describe such perfection. And you come home with goodies too. 2 tins of shortbread cookies, a tray of chocolate truffles and a folder with your menu. Wow. Please see pictures it really taste better than it looks. Enjoy and be prepared to spend a lot!
It's strange to think about leaving anything but 5 stars
It's strange to think about leaving anything but 5 stars for such a legendary place. But I sent my dietary restrictions in advance and it felt like they were just improvising with the most expensive meal I have ever eaten in my life. I thought such a high end place would have planned a menu around my dietary restrictions, but instead it felt like I just kind of got this and that thrown together, even with the desserts which would have been easy to accommodate had they tried and planned ahead of time. They also seem to have misunderstood my restrictions and didn't send some things out that I could have eaten. Bummer for sure and I don't think I would return if I had the chance. It just didn't meet my expectations and they weren't that high. Just a lovely meal that I could eat, just like everyone else at my table. Also, my table was offered a piece of chocolate but not one of each to take home like they have done in the past from what I understand. We weren't offered a tour of the grounds or the kitchen either. No picture taken of us out front, no offer of it either. Again, for the price, we would have liked what others have experienced before us.I want to mention that the head somm was excellent and attentive. The servers were polite and helpful as well. It was a busy night but everything looked like it was running smoothly. Beautiful venue and mood lighting was a nice touch.
Not much I can say about this place that hasn't already
Not much I can say about this place that hasn't already been said, but I do feel there is some value in the opinion of a guy who ordered Dominos Pizza over 50 times in one year.First let me say I walked in a bit reserved a bit intimidated, obviously this is a legendary place so I fully expected to feel like I didn't belong. Let me say though that I could not be more wrong!I felt EXTREMELY welcomed since my first step in. Right away we were given some champagne and chatted up. Chef Keller himself walked up to us and chatted with us, later on he even gave us a tour of the kitchens!Next the food was fantastic, we were here for a special collab between French Laundry and Paris's La Tour d'Argent and it was a lot of fun! I enjoyed how they each took turns presenting us their dishes. In the end I think I preferred the food from French Laundry best.The dishes were extremely unique and interesting and not something I have had before. I think for me the goat milk ice cream took me by surprise the most! Anyway at the end they gave us all these chocolates, I took as many as my pride would allow and then some!
Connect with users posting reservations for The French Laundry Yountville
AppointmentTrader is a community-driven platform where users can exchange their reservations or leverage their personal relationships with The French Laundry Yountville. Buyers can make informed decisions using automated seller ratings, which reflect past transactions and reliability.
Each posting on AppointmentTrader shows you which user submitted it and along with that provides a trackrecord of that user which indicates how much experience
the user has and how many percent of their transactions resulted in them issuing a refund.
If there is no user posting that fits your schedule, you can bid on your preferred time.
Let's say Peter has a great morning and decides to take his three friends to The French Laundry Yountville at 6 PM the same day.
He checks the restaurant's website and sees that no reservations are available. He then looks at the The French Laundry Yountville page on AppointmentTrader, but finds that there are no user postings either.
That's where the community-driven bid process comes in.
Peter can place a bid on AppointmentTrader, which serves as a reward for any community member who chooses to work on securing the reservation. AT then notifies experienced users who may be able to help.
Step-by-Step Process
1.) Setting a Reward (Bid)
* AppointmentTrader uses historical data to recommend a reasonable reward amount for securing a reservation - let's say $100.
* Peter really wants to go, so he increases the bid (or reward) to $200.
* At this stage, the reservation does not exist yet.
2.) A Community User Picks Up the Bid
* FluffyStar64, an experienced AT user, has a strong track record of successfully securing reservations and low refund requests, they receive a notification about Peter's bid.
* FluffyStar64 picks up the bid, meaning they will now work on securing the reservation.
* Peter can now talk to FluffyStar64 for any questions Peter may have as FluffyStar64 user fills the bid.
3.) Finding the Reservation
* FluffyStar64 now uses their connections at The French Laundry Yountville to secure the table.
* If they successfully get the 6 PM table for four, Peter receives a confirmation that the reservation has been secured.
* If FluffyStar64 fails to secure the reservation, the bid is returned to the pool so another user can try.
4.) Payment & Protection
* Once the reservation is secured, FluffyStar64 receives the $200 reward which is credited to FluffyStar64's AT balance, where users manage their own funds and can withdraw via available payout options such as bank transfer, PayPal, or Zelle.
* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at The French Laundry Yountville!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
