Long considered California’s most famous wine region, Napa Valley exploded into the global spotlight following the 1976 Judgment of Paris, when a Chateau Montelena Chardonnay from Calistoga trounced nine other Chardonnays in a blind tasting in Paris, including extremely prestigious bottles from France. Don’t miss, for instance, the rediscovered Merlot, whose plush texture and earthy cherry flavour are appealing to a new generation of red wine fans. Roughly an hour’s drive north of San Francisco and boasting more than 400 wineries, Napa Valley is a connoisseur’s paradise, inviting visitors to explore beyond the region’s signature Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay. Napa Valley reigns as the land of grand estates, luxurious tasting rooms, quaint towns and elegant lodges, many of which line the celebrated Silverado Trail. Insider’s tip: One way to spot Chef Keller is at top food and wine festivals, such as the star-chef-studded Pebble Beach Food & Wine. Just driving through town on the way to wine tasting? Stop by Chef Keller’s Bouchon Bakery for a perfect macaroon or buttery slice of quiche. The menu highlights classic bistro fare, such as steak frites, soupe à l’oignon, escargots à la bourguignonne, and confît de canard. If you can’t snag a reservation (tables fill up months in advance), visit Chef Keller’s neighboring Bouchon Bistro for impressive French-influenced food in more casual surroundings. The tasting menu is sublime, with changing seasonal dishes as well as Chef Keller’s signature “oysters and pearls” (oysters and caviar in sabayon). With three Michelin stars, The French Laundry is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that should be on any fine-diner’s bucket list. Would I do it again? Only if you are paying.Though he isn’t a star on a food show, Chef Keller’s fame is almost unsurpassed in the food world, simply based on the brilliance of his food and the quality of his dining experience, both epitomized at this Yountville institution. Was it the best dining experience I have ever had? Nope, but it was up there. Was putting $1000 on my credit card for a lunch for 2 worth it? No. If you are a working class foodie like myself, and are seeking a meal at The French Laundry because it is #1 and you simply must check it off your bucket list, you may want to think twice. I can’t say whether you have $1000 to spend on a four hour lunch experience, maybe you do and if so, go nuts. Notably at Akelare in San Sebastian located high on a cliff with a spectacular view and featuring Nuevo Spanish cuisine Chef Owner Pedro Subijana greets each table personally and signs menus, lunch for 2 with wine was 450 Euros.Įxpensive is an opinion, NOT a number. Have I had better service? No, but other Michelin Star establishments come close. So have I eaten better FOOD than The French Laundry? Yes, several times. At some point (usually after several bottles of wine) even a devout foodie thinks apples and oranges are both food.
They pay attention to detail and make sure your dining experience is timed just right.įoodies have told me I can’t compare meals from three Michelin Star restaurants and those that don’t make the cut, they say it’s ‘like apples and orange’. Included in the total price and rightly so as it was as important to your experience as the food itself. The intangible part of The French Laundry is the service. The French Laundry is not about value it’s about farm-to-table, tasty-organic-french-food.
Sticker Shock? We watched the other 5 tables in our dining room receive their bill, and every group made an audible gasp, nervous laugh, or a table of 6 cheered as they had taken bets on who could guess the price closest to the final bill.
So basically you are looking at around $1000 for a meal for two people. Seasonal and exotic specialties like winter black truffle and Kobe beef will cost additional $75 to $100. If you are lucky enough to secure a reservation and dine at The French Laundry your friends will inevitably ask you “How much did you spend?” and “was it worth it?” The best restaurant in the US and 4 Michelin Stars for the past decade The French Laundry is known to be expensive.Ī Chef’s tasting menu is $270 per person and is the same for lunch or dinner service is included but wine is not.
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