How to get a reservation at The French Laundry

Rather than do a recap of my favorites restaurants of 2013, I thought I would share the details of my visit to foodie Mecca…aka Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry.

Getting the reservation

This was an absolute stroke of luck/genius that I owe entirely to my husband. After reading all the blogs and exhaustively trying the phone tricks (French laundry became number 1 on my speed dial), he somehow managed to score the ONE open-table reservation that opens up at 12:15 PM for two people at lunch. This was after checking every day and often.

The little touches

The 9-course tasting menu changes daily and you can bring home the memories to make the meal last a lifetime. Our menu was personalized and commemorates our wedding anniversary, as well as the anniversary of our lunch at French Laundry and it’s given to you on your way out along with a list of where your food came from. I also took the napkin holders…which might not have been mine to take…but no one saw me 🙂

The menu

Here is a look at our 9 courses and 4 hours at French Laundry

“Oysters and Pearls”

Thomas Keller might be starting with the best here and has managed to do the impossible and IMPROVED the taste of caviar and oysters.

Salad of Hawaiian Hearts of Peach Palm

Sauteed Fillet of Atlantic Swordfish

Sweet Butter Poached Maine Lobster

Herb Roasted Four Story Hills Farm Poularde

Elysian Fields “Jarret D Agneau

When a leg of lamb meets a shake and bake, this is what you get

Andante Dairy Acapella

Assortment of Desserts

This was like 4 courses… I almost begged the waiter to stop!

Coffee and Doughnuts

A simple idea for the complex palate. This and the oysters and pearls book-ended the meal in greatness and are the signature dishes from this great chef.

A reservation at The French Laundry is like a wedding. It is spectacular, a little long, and should only happen once in your life.

I never expected I’d enter those blue doors this year–so here’s to a raised dining bar for 2014, and a French Laundry for everyone who still dares to dream.

If you enjoyed the whole meal, why not invite friends to join? Repin the image below and help more to go.