Got reservations at the famed French Laundry in Yountville. Anyone been who can give me an idea of what to expect (other than a big bill)?
French Laundry
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Last: 2 yr ago by schmendeler
Great service, awesome food, and, yes, a big bill. The times I've been there, we gave the sommelier a per person budget for wine and they pulled wine pairings to meet our budget. Worked out great.
Make sure to ask if you can pop in the kitchen after dinner. It's cool to see the belly of the beast. And slip the wooden clothes pin in your pocket as a souvenir.
Make sure to ask if you can pop in the kitchen after dinner. It's cool to see the belly of the beast. And slip the wooden clothes pin in your pocket as a souvenir.
Thanks ... what's a decent per person budget for wine there?JCA1 said:
Great service, awesome food, and, yes, a big bill. The times I've been there, we gave the sommelier a per person budget for wine and they pulled wine pairings to meet our budget. Worked out great.
Make sure to ask if you can pop in the kitchen after dinner. It's cool to see the belly of the beast. And slip the wooden clothes pin in your pocket as a souvenir.
Was there in 2017 and we did $250/person and here's the wine they paired for that.
Not sure what the floor would be but I probably wouldn't request pairings unless I was willing to spend $200 or so per person. And you can always just order bottles off the wine list if you're more comfortable with that.
Not sure what the floor would be but I probably wouldn't request pairings unless I was willing to spend $200 or so per person. And you can always just order bottles off the wine list if you're more comfortable with that.
When is your reservation?
This is terrible advice to just order bottles. The chef and sommelier have specifically paired the best/ideal wine to go with each course. If you're going to a place like this, then do it right.JCA1 said:
Was there in 2017 and we did $250/person and here's the wine they paired for that.
Not sure what the floor would be but I probably wouldn't request pairings unless I was willing to spend $200 or so per person. And you can always just order bottles off the wine list if you're more comfortable with that.
jwoodmd said:This is terrible advice to just order bottles. The chef and sommelier have specifically paired the best/ideal wine to go with each course. If you're going to a place like this, then do it right.JCA1 said:
Was there in 2017 and we did $250/person and here's the wine they paired for that.
Not sure what the floor would be but I probably wouldn't request pairings unless I was willing to spend $200 or so per person. And you can always just order bottles off the wine list if you're more comfortable with that.
Well, I did recommend that but said you can always just order bottles if you're not comfortable with the cost of wine pairings for each course. And when I said he could just order wine off the menu if he didn't want wine parings for each course, i assumed most would understand that the sommelier would be involved.
And the French Laundry doesn't really have pre-selected wines for each course. Clearly, they'll pair wines and do it well, but again it's based on your budget.
Thanks for being an a-hole in the most random fashion though.
We got advice from the somm for under the radar wineries to visit. He called ahead for us at Realm and Vineyard 7&8 before they were on the hype list.
Expect an amazing meal. When we went it was at like 20% capacity or something like that during covid fall of 2020. We got a full dining room for the two of us as a result. I'd love to go again some day. The tasting menu we did was twelve courses and the wine pairing was a new half bottle every three courses so that's one planning factor.
They gave us tons of souvenir stuff (clothespin, box of chocolate truffles, signed personalized menus, etc) but I'm not sure if our experience was typical since it was a weird time.
They gave us tons of souvenir stuff (clothespin, box of chocolate truffles, signed personalized menus, etc) but I'm not sure if our experience was typical since it was a weird time.
GAC06 said:
Expect an amazing meal. When we went it was at like 20% capacity or something like that during covid fall of 2020. We got a full dining room for the two of us as a result. I'd love to go again some day. The tasting menu we did was twelve courses and the wine pairing was a new half bottle every three courses so that's one planning factor.
They gave us tons of souvenir stuff (clothespin, box of chocolate truffles, signed personalized menus, etc) but I'm not sure if our experience was typical since it was a weird time.
We've gotten a folder with the menus, wine pairings, etc both times I've been there. I think that's pretty standard.
And I'll add, it can be an intimidating place (especially the first time) but the staff is awesome and easy to talk to. They aren't nearly as stuffy as you think they will be.
jwoodmd said:
This is terrible advice to just order bottles.
That's why we bring our own.
BSD said:jwoodmd said:
This is terrible advice to just order bottles.
That's why we bring our own.
What's the corking fee there?
Not cheap. At all.
BSD said:
Not cheap. At all.
Not surprised. $100/bottle?
$200 now. Was $150 the last time I visited.
BSD said:
$200 now. Was $150 the last time I visited.
Yowza. Not surprising though.
We're headed back to Napa at the end of October. Not doing French Laundry again but will probably hit Bouchon.
JCA1 said:BSD said:
$200 now. Was $150 the last time I visited.
Yowza. Not surprising though.
We're headed back to Napa at the end of October. Not doing French Laundry again but will probably hit Bouchon.
Seating at Bouchon in July made me wish I was riding on a bus postgame. That would be much less crowded.
The damn waiter had to pull out the table. Seat me wife. Ask her to pick her feet up so he could slide the table back in. What a joke.
MD or go homeBSD said:jwoodmd said:
This is terrible advice to just order bottles.
That's why we bring our own.
Don't know if you already have lodging arranged but we really liked The Francis House in Calistoga.
https://thefrancishouse.com/
Nice place, the proprietors are friendly and helpful if you want advice on what else to do.
https://thefrancishouse.com/
Nice place, the proprietors are friendly and helpful if you want advice on what else to do.
How did you get a reservation?
When we went to Napa, I tried to make reservations online, but everything was taken immediately when they were released - seemed like bots were doing it.
When we went to Napa, I tried to make reservations online, but everything was taken immediately when they were released - seemed like bots were doing it.
When Strawberry Hill and Ripple just won't do........Not MarathonAg12 said:
Curious what the place costs for two people with wine pairings?
$390/pp tasting menuAustinCountyAg said:
Curious what the place costs for two people with wine pairings?
$200/pp drinks
20% gratuity
$1,400
EclipseAg said:
Got reservations at the famed French Laundry in Yountville. Anyone been who can give me an idea of what to expect (other than a big bill)?
One recommendation I have is to plan your day's and the next morning's activities accordingly. If it's still the same setup, there are basically only two seatings, early and late. We did the late one and it was fantastic but with so many courses and wanting to savor it all, it makes for a long meal and made for a late night with the later seating.
We were getting drowsy by the end of it… and had a sunrise ballon ride the next morning. Bad planning on that.
Still the best meal I've had.
A few tips:
* getting reservations are easier than they used to be. I think they release two months at a time so people have plenty of dates to choose from. If you are still having trouble, mail/FedEx a handwritten letter to them. I've seen it work.
*Always add the supplement. Don't worry about the up charge, you're already spending a ton of money so just do it. Get the A5 wagyu. Get the white truffles. Get whatever is offered.
*this meal is an event. Plan your day around it. Don't get drunk at wine tastings all day. Have a light lunch so there is room in your stomach. Seriously, don't get drunk before this meal.
* Reservation times vary. I like a somewhat early dinner because of the time zone difference. 5:00 seems early but it's great for me when coming from Texas.
* take a break during the meal. Go out in the courtyard and relax for a few. If Brad Pitt happens to be there, he may share a joint with you and the staff.
* call as soon as you get a reservation and ask for the extended menu. It's another $150-200 per person but you get many more dishes to enjoy.
* don't be afraid to tell them that you don't like something. Their goal is to give you an incredible experience. It's easy for them to substitute a dish to make that possible. They actually look at how much you eat off each plate and if you have one bite of something and are done, they take that personally. They'll probably bring you something else to make up for it. If you know you don't like shellfish or oysters, tell them in advance. They appreciate that.
*i love to taste wine. I really do. But with that many dishes, the prefect glass to complement each dish would not only leave you hammered, but incredibly full. Don't sweat it too much. The somm can help. Typically champagne or whites in the early part of the meal and red later. Half bottles are great here. Or some DRC if you want to do it right…
*ask for some desserts to go.
* if you plan to go back in the future, leave an additional tip for the staff.
*stay in Yountville so you don't have far to go after the meal. I always enjoy the walk back to the hotel as I moan about how full I am.
* getting reservations are easier than they used to be. I think they release two months at a time so people have plenty of dates to choose from. If you are still having trouble, mail/FedEx a handwritten letter to them. I've seen it work.
*Always add the supplement. Don't worry about the up charge, you're already spending a ton of money so just do it. Get the A5 wagyu. Get the white truffles. Get whatever is offered.
*this meal is an event. Plan your day around it. Don't get drunk at wine tastings all day. Have a light lunch so there is room in your stomach. Seriously, don't get drunk before this meal.
* Reservation times vary. I like a somewhat early dinner because of the time zone difference. 5:00 seems early but it's great for me when coming from Texas.
* take a break during the meal. Go out in the courtyard and relax for a few. If Brad Pitt happens to be there, he may share a joint with you and the staff.
* call as soon as you get a reservation and ask for the extended menu. It's another $150-200 per person but you get many more dishes to enjoy.
* don't be afraid to tell them that you don't like something. Their goal is to give you an incredible experience. It's easy for them to substitute a dish to make that possible. They actually look at how much you eat off each plate and if you have one bite of something and are done, they take that personally. They'll probably bring you something else to make up for it. If you know you don't like shellfish or oysters, tell them in advance. They appreciate that.
*i love to taste wine. I really do. But with that many dishes, the prefect glass to complement each dish would not only leave you hammered, but incredibly full. Don't sweat it too much. The somm can help. Typically champagne or whites in the early part of the meal and red later. Half bottles are great here. Or some DRC if you want to do it right…
*ask for some desserts to go.
* if you plan to go back in the future, leave an additional tip for the staff.
*stay in Yountville so you don't have far to go after the meal. I always enjoy the walk back to the hotel as I moan about how full I am.
Simply amazing. Hope to go one day
Thanks ... great tips.BSD said:
A few tips:
* getting reservations are easier than they used to be. I think they release two months at a time so people have plenty of dates to choose from. If you are still having trouble, mail/FedEx a handwritten letter to them. I've seen it work.
*Always add the supplement. Don't worry about the up charge, you're already spending a ton of money so just do it. Get the A5 wagyu. Get the white truffles. Get whatever is offered.
*this meal is an event. Plan your day around it. Don't get drunk at wine tastings all day. Have a light lunch so there is room in your stomach. Seriously, don't get drunk before this meal.
* Reservation times vary. I like a somewhat early dinner because of the time zone difference. 5:00 seems early but it's great for me when coming from Texas.
* take a break during the meal. Go out in the courtyard and relax for a few. If Brad Pitt happens to be there, he may share a joint with you and the staff.
* call as soon as you get a reservation and ask for the extended menu. It's another $150-200 per person but you get many more dishes to enjoy.
* don't be afraid to tell them that you don't like something. Their goal is to give you an incredible experience. It's easy for them to substitute a dish to make that possible. They actually look at how much you eat off each plate and if you have one bite of something and are done, they take that personally. They'll probably bring you something else to make up for it. If you know you don't like shellfish or oysters, tell them in advance. They appreciate that.
*i love to taste wine. I really do. But with that many dishes, the prefect glass to complement each dish would not only leave you hammered, but incredibly full. Don't sweat it too much. The somm can help. Typically champagne or whites in the early part of the meal and red later. Half bottles are great here. Or some DRC if you want to do it right…
*ask for some desserts to go.
* if you plan to go back in the future, leave an additional tip for the staff.
*stay in Yountville so you don't have far to go after the meal. I always enjoy the walk back to the hotel as I moan about how full I am.
Restaurant has already reached out to ask us about our preferences, etc. That in and of itself is pretty amazing.
Same here. We had three people trying right when reservations opened at noon our time, but no luck.Naveronski said:
How did you get a reservation?
When we went to Napa, I tried to make reservations online, but everything was taken immediately when they were released - seemed like bots were doing it.
My spouse went back at the end of the day just out of curiosity and there was an opening at their 4 p.m. seating. So we grabbed it. I guess someone canceled or their card was declined.
We were already going to Napa so I signed up for the waitlist every night we were there. Perhaps mentioning it was our honeymoon helped, but we got the email the morning of the first night on the waitlist and jumped on it.
Howdy, just for grins, should we ever get the chance to go (which I doubt) what is the expected tab??? This thread has me wanting to try it, probably a 401k's worth of supper, but looks to be worth it!!!!
Gig'em, Ole Army Class of '70
Naveronski says 1400 for two. Go back up like 10 postsMark Fairchild said:
Howdy, just for grins, should we ever get the chance to go (which I doubt) what is the expected tab??? This thread has me wanting to try it, probably a 401k's worth of supper, but looks to be worth it!!!!
With wine pairings about $1400.
This thread alone is over my budget.
When we went the 12 course tasting menu was $1700 for two plus tax, plus wine. Can't recall the wine cost but it was significant
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