The French LaundryOutstanding.There are relatively few things in this world that truly live up to the Big Hype when they receive it. This place, however, is one of those exceedingly rare things that not only live up to it, but vastly exceed it. Everything about our visit was perfect. Outstanding.4/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful Experience x 2Second trip to the French Laundry; last was 2 years ago for lunch, and it was pure perfection.
The French Laundry never fails to dazzle us. The service is always very attentive and knowledgable on all items on the food/wine list. The impeccable attention to ALL details never fails to impressive.
The food is nothing short of amazing. Art in the form of food. Flavors that blend effortlessly, fresh ingredients and seasoned to perfection.
Our meal was five hours long, but time felt like it flew by. Plate after plate of the most delicious and elegant food and wine.
It was a sensational meal, one not soon forgotten.4/15/2013 12:00:00 AMThe service and food wereThe service and food were excellent! My wife especially liked the spring flower/color highlights added to the presentations. The dishes were so beautifully prepared that one didn't want to disturb them by eating the presentation. The staff were all very friendly, which added to an overall comfortable and warm experience.4/6/2013 12:00:00 AM"Lunch" will never be the sameWe were 6: myself, husband, 2 adult children with friends--celebrating their graduation. It was a great dining experience which will be remembered for the impeccable lunch service and fabulous food. My husband and I had eaten at French Laundry after it first opened--we miss the outdoor seating and a more informal service. Tips I would offer to first timers: 1. Come with a large appetite. The lunch tasting menu lists 7 courses but there were extras provided which added up to about 10 dishes. Lunch lasted 4 hrs. 2. The wine cellar has 2500 wines-ask the server for help if overwhelmed 3. The 2nd floor has more sunlight which lightens formality 4. Sometimes they'll let you see the kitchen. 5. Visit their garden!3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMThe French Laundry - fresh and fab!This second visit to The French Laundry did not disappoint - an updated menu with a few favorites still to be enjoyed - especially the chocolatier offerings near the end of the meal. The scallop dish was now a choice between an offering with lobster or crab - we tried one of each and found them delicious. Our favorite part of the experience was the balance of flavors in each plate - the dishes are composed for tasting in one bite - everything works so well - this is the signature of the restaurant - the understanding that the flavors - fresh and fabulous - need to work together. Will try to do again!3/26/2013 12:00:00 AMSecond visitSecond visit, food was spot on. There were a few repeats from my visit 2 years ago which was a little disappointing and one of the dishes served was chicken, which I wouldn't have expected at FL. However there were a few amazing courses that my taste buds went mad for and are now sad they may never experience again. :-( The service is impeccable and they people they hire are so nice. They indulged our every request, including a visit to the (spotless) kitchen.3/25/2013 12:00:00 AMService team was outstanding;Service team was outstanding; food, not surprisingly, was tremendous. A true dining experience.3/22/2013 12:00:00 AMBest meal my life! EveryBest meal my life!
Every course was perfectly presentedand & each bite was perfection!
Hard to dewcribe unless you experience it yourself..
It was a lot like a great movies, just when you thought it was over but secretly hoped it wasn't they would bring out another surprise... At hey ended up bring up cookies and boxes of flavored chocolates to take home...
Even did a tour if the Kitchen and met the chef afterwards..
THE NEW BAR against which all dining will be measured.3/17/2013 12:00:00 AMOnce is a life time diningOnce is a life time dining experience. By far the best service I have seen anywhere. Food was amazing as was everything else.3/15/2013 12:00:00 AMWe are over the top aboutWe are over the top about our experience Monday night-an affair of a lifetime!!3/11/2013 12:00:00 AMWOWAs good as you expect it to be. My third visit. A must every time I am in Yountville. The attention to detail is unsurpassed in the restaurant industry. An absolutely incredible experience.3/6/2013 12:00:00 AMHard to top this.We were lucky to get an open table in short time. My wife and I have gone to many highly rated restaurants and all of them almost always have some negative reviews. So, we always like to experience the food ourselves. The French Laundry did not disappoint us. We agree that it was the best food we ever had and that's comparing to places like Gary Danko in San Francisco, Matsumoto's in Napa, Roy's in Hawaii and even The Kitchen in Sacramento. The service was impeccable and the extra's were exra ordinary. the ingredients were fresh and prepared expertly; not overcooked or undercooked and seasoned just right. I think the chef's pride comes through the food. If we ever get a reservation again, we are definitely going back3/6/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had a wonderful dinnerWe had a wonderful dinner and very special evening. The food was amazing with immaculate presentations. The wait staff were efficient and helpful. They had perfect timing for each course. The room we were in was very cozy with only 2 other parties seated in it. This is a dining event that everyone should experience at least once in their life!2/25/2013 12:00:00 AMExceeds expectationsI doubt that anything new can be said about The French Laundry. We had a truly memorable and fantastic experience. The food is absolutely amazing and our 3 hour dining experience was one that will be remembered for a lifetime...even though I fully plan to return, there is nothing like a first experience.
So much is written about the food, but even wonderful food looses its luster without comparable service and the service is exactly what one would expect, professional, friendly, warm and intimate.
The French Laundry is a very special place and worth every penny that you will spend.2/10/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have been to French LaundryWe have been to French Laundry several times and frankly found it a bit over the top. Sometimes quite a bit. But they have simplified -- at least at lunch -- in a way that makes the experience far less pretentious. For one thing, instead of announcing each dish in a amusingly thorough way, including sourcing of every last dab of balsamic, they now tell you the whole menu upfront and then give a short reminder when something lands. The food endures and there always are nice surprises. For me, even though the portions are small, I am always basically done before the meat course arrives. But even here they have trimmed back both the cheese and desserts to keep the full meal within something resembling a stomach portion.2/2/2013 12:00:00 AMWas perusing Open Table andWas perusing Open Table and grabbed an opening for lunch at FL for the next day. What luck! Going to the Mecca for foodies for my birthday. We had an 11am table which was perfect for quiet conversation for around an hour. Then the noise level increased as the downstairs room filled with mid-day diners. An orchestrated movement of patrons and waitstaff swirled in the room during our 3 hour meal. The dishes are not large but they are numerous and will eventually fill you. Wife and I noted the bold unique flavors in the sauces.
Standouts were the Salmon Tartare, Oysters & Pearls, Risotto with Black Truffles (thanks to the assistant for the additional shavings), Lobster, and Ribeye Cap. The service was top notch and NOT pretentious.2/1/2013 12:00:00 AMA perfect dinner for us.A perfect dinner for us. We have been trying to make a reservation at FL for a long time; one availability popped up just in time to celebrate my husband birthday. Our head waiter, Guillaume, was Mr. Extraordinaire - very patient and knowledgeable about every single dish. Although the menu indicates a 9-course dinner, it seems like 14; especially the desert section. Everyone there made us feel special; and we got a tour of kitchen and a picture of the head chef! What a treat it is. We came back to FL in the morning and walked around the farm; it does take a village to make a meal at FL, and the care and passion that the chefs put in their foods showed in every bite. It is one in a life time experience...12/9/2012 12:00:00 AMEasily one of the great diningEasily one of the great dining experiences. Jacket required. No jeans. No valet so parking is street side, somewhere. Wine is over priced, well beyond typical resturant over-charging, about 3-4 retail. So expect to pay $150-500 per person if you want to crack open a bottle or two from the cheaper side of the wine list. If $500-$700 a head for the the night's wine and food bill is stretch then I'd suggest bringing a nice bottle of your own, they allow 1 bottle per 2 people for a $75 corkage fee. The wine is pricey but it is a quality selection.12/4/2012 12:00:00 AMBest restaurant in the world,Best restaurant in the world, and an experience. Like living art.1/1/0001 4:00:00 PM