Put another way:
It's one thing to drive a Honda because you like it and it's what you can comfortably afford.

It's another thing to drive a Honda and say you chose it over a Mercedes because Mercedes is an overrated piece of junk for people who don't realize that the Honda is just as good and they are being taken advantage of.

Put another way:
You may buy a Mercedes over a Lamborghini.

CyberUK, I think that it is endorsements like yours that make people curious. Some that go probably couldn't tell the difference; some that go may be embarassed to say it didn't live up to expectations; some may have an experience like yours that they cherish. Sounds like the price has gone up since then.

>>>When we go again to that area, we will got to St. Helena and try John Ash' restaurant, the name of which is escaping me.<<<<

loisco, the only restuarant I know of around here associated with John Ash is John Ash & Co in Santa Rosa-do you have a "hot tip"?????
R5

We recently had dinner at La Folie in San Francisco and the bill was around $250. Parts of it were sublime, parts were just okay. Our far superior lunch at French Laundry was around $400. Everything was incredible. Could I tell the difference? Yes! People who have not been there just have no idea what they are talking about.
-Bill

You know dreamer, as I get older, I am more likely to indulge myself in the nicer things that life has to offer.

A fine meal and a
A great bottle of wine
aren't terrible things, Dreamer

Aren't we all here because of a love of travel?

It is certainly not a necessity to some people, surely some people see it as an indulgence.

I need to travel, and dine well.
They are interconnected

"Message: Put another way:
You may buy a Mercedes over a Lamborghini."

Yes, but your analogy isn't complete.
There are many reasons for chosing a Mercedes over a Lamborghini, but if one buys the Mercedes and then proudly says, I prefer it BECAUSE the Lanborghini isn't as well made and isn't any better, it's only a way to make fools part with their money because they don't know the Mercedes is every bit as nice, THEN I say THAT person is a fool.

I'll take the bait.
The person buying the Lanborghini is saying: I want that car because it is the best money can buy and because I can. It doesn't matter that I'm not a car collector, will never drive it to it's capacity, and don't particularly like the color. I just want to show that I have one.
Okay... Now I'm going to bed before I get any more inane. Have fun everyone!

I drive a PT Cruiser - but I really enjoyed my meal at the French Laundry.

I'm only a borderline foodie. I know what the good stuff is - but I'm also a terribly picky eater. I was a bit worried about the meal, knowing it was a fixed menu. I don't eat seafood - it just really grosses me out.

I was very relieved when the chefs at the French Laundry offered up special altered courses for me while my friends enjoyed what was listed on the menu.

And each course was presented perfectly.

I was worried the atmosphere was going to be uptight and stuffy. It was anything but. It made me think - this must be the way the very rich are treated - surrounded with opulence, style, and haute cuisine - and yet having it presented as if every meal should taste as good.

The French Laundry isn't for everyone. Even for those who enjoyed the experience - you may not want to tarnish the memory by trying to repeat it. But it's definitely something worth trying in my book.

Oh, I rambled too much with this. Apologies for the train of though entry. ;-)

I am not sure the analogies are relavant to the experience of dining at the French Laundry. Purchasing an automobile is a capital expense on an item you keep for a long period of time and which you have to maintain. Dining at the French Laundry is a singular experience you cherish for a lifetime.

The better analogy would be spending $500 to rent a Porsche for one day to drive on the German autobahn. For someone who loves cars or driving fast, definitely. For me, it would not be worth it. I am not a car afficionado and don't have a need for speed. But I won't deride the person who makes that choice.

As you can see from the posts, most of us who have commented about the French Laundry are not rich. Yet, the overwheliming opinion is it is an experience worth every penny and more. For some of us, dining there was our one splurge for the year, and we do not regret it. For those who were disappointed, it is unfortunate they went on an off night.

At the same time, I think those of us who rave about the French Laundry realize it is not for everyone. I have many friends who would not enjoy dining there. Instead they would rather spend that much money on front row seats to a concert, a ticket to a Braodway play, a championship sporting event or some other form of once in a lifetime entertainment.

An expamle. I have several friends who blew there whole vacation budget to go see Texas play at the Rose Bowl. Did I make that choice, no. Do I belittle them for doing so, no. Do they have fond memories that will last forever, yes. Was it worth it? To them, an emphatic yes.

Dreamer2, my earlier comment to you may have been intemperate. It was a visceral reply to a derisive post with little or no basis. It reminded me of posts from people telling others how horrible an area is without having been there, instead relying on a friend of a friend, a tv show, or something they read. For example, New York City may be crowded and noisy, but how does one know they won't enjoy it until they go.

You do have every right to choose how to spend your money. I do not question that right. Just respect my right to spend my money as I see fit and to cherish a memory of one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.

Now that I've had a good night's rest, I can express my point succintly:

It is the Law of Diminshing Returns.

Now before you all have heart failure again, let me clarify, in case you don't realize, this is my opinion. I haven't decreed it the law of the land. And to those who may have been insulted at my rhetoric in cyberspace, I really don't know you, and wasn't calling you personally "a fool." Although I have called myself that on many an occasion.

If I went to French Laundry, and had the BEST MEAL OF MY LIFE, I would still feel I paid too much, if my bill came to $500 for one person. But let me concede, If I went and considered my visit the BEST EXPERIENCE of my life, I'd probably go again.

Now, I am off on a lovely weekend getaway, where I plan to enjoy some very fine dining and wine. Let me hope the bill doesn't come to $1K, or I'll be eating my words.

SFImporter - I think you have touched on an interesting point about service in very, very good restaurants. I've not been to FL (yet, hopefully), but at restaurants like Daniel in NY and Charlie TRotter in Chicago, I have found the service to be so perfect, so friendly, so lacking in pretension, snobbery, stuffiness, whatever.

It's the pretenders who want to to impress you with their snooty superiority.

I rarely eat out here in Greenville, SC and when I do it's usually the most casual places. The "fancy" joints almost all suck, so I save a lot of money by not dropping $125 for 2 at the barely adequate wannabe places. I don't really flinch, then, when I travel and it comes time to drop twice that or more on the really good stuff.

How true. My favorite fine restaurant these days is probably LeBernardin. I've heard people say, "I wouldn't enjoy it, I don't like stuffy restaurants." Stuffy? I have never felt any more relaxed and comfortable as I have there. The waiters are snobby or pretentious, just professional. Greet them with a small and they'll chat or respond with as much or little "interplay" as you like. This is nothing like many, many medium to upper priced restaurants that make you feel that THEY are in charge, not you, or places that fawn all over you until you feel guilty for being there.

Razzle Dazzle...hmmm. Maybe John Ash restaurant is John Ash. Pretty easy to remember..

There is another chef in that area whoe first name is Michael. I have read his cookbooks and they sound great. Of course I can't remember his last name.My Napa notes are in our rv.

We were with r5 one time she made an Ash out of herself....no wait..that was me...nevermind.

Hi Kal, good to see you posting again! LOL, I missed your great sense of humour.

loisco: Next time you are in the area
swing by and we'll go to John Ash!
:)
Hardee-har-har Kal
I am going to text message something
risque and dam*ing to your cell
phone in hopes that Mrs. Kal
finds it!
R5

i just made our reservation for the fl today to go on april 20th :D. i called the number at about 1 min to 10, and got right through. i was the first call they answered--i'm off to buy a lottery ticket now...

we've been to many great restaurants--mostly in nyc and france-- and i'm excited to experience this one and see how it compares for us! all of your reviews have made me very excited.

:) kari

kari, congrats and let us know how your expierence is there! If I ever get to go there, I'll probably weep. (Happy tears!:D) That's a clue to DH that "she really likes this place!" Have a wonderful time at the FL, lucky you! ***kim*** ((f))

Since no one has said anything about any individual course, entree, nor wine, I will chime in - had a '75 Ch Leoville las Cases last PM - finally almost drinkable, but still an adolescent - dark brick red, no brown borders, mature sweet tannins - wow, but so long in coming.
The '99 Siduri Pisoni Vineyard Sta Lucia Pinot Noir we opened tonight is way too much - I was stunned after the first glass.
M

I'll chime in, too. For those of you who have not yet gone to FL, unless things have changed, there are no cocktails - just wine. And an incredible wine list, but it increases the tab by quite a bit...there is very little in the way of moderately priced wine on the list.