Is French Laundry worth it?
 

Okay, I would like to get opinions on whether spending the $$ on French Laundry is worth it. What do you guys think? Also, what exactly is the cost of a dinner there? Is it a prix fixe, or standard menu?

Thanks for any advice!

Never ate there before, but here's the website & menu you can look at:
http://www.frenchlaundry.com/tfl/frenchlaundry.htm

Choices are $125, $135, $150

In a word, no.

If you are into gourmet dining the French Laundry is well worth it, if you are not, it probably won't be.

Agree with SAB - it is really a dining experience for those who would appreciate that. Get early reservations - we had a 9:30 pm which meant we finally stopped eating around midnight.

I have to agree with the others. If you are really into fine dining with unique, excellently prepared dishes, the French Laundry is a true experience. Otherwise, you would probably be wasting your money.

It is probably really good, but nothing is worth knocking yourself out for. As one great chef said, "It is only a meal." We like Travigne--beatiful room, lovely food.

Like the cookbook, overlarge in content.
overpriced for image.

I can't believe the coincidence. I was just logging on to check out "French Laudry". We will be in Napa in August and love French food (BUT not overpriced French food). Would like to hear more opinions and/or good alternatives. Thanks!

The best alternative, IMO, is Bistro Jeanty, owned by the original chef at Domaine Chandon when it had the first fine restaurant in the Napa Valley. Dining at the Bistro is like dining in France--good traditional food, rather than dishes that take up 6 lines on the menu to explain. We love the coq au vin, the daube de boeuf, the tomato soup with a puff-pastry toque, and the to-die-for lemon tart.

The Napa Valley has many fine restaurants. Bistro Jeanty is fine but it doesn't receive the same attention from Phillipe since he opened his San Francisco eatery.

Try La Toque in Rutherford. This is a real gem. Wine Spectator voted it one of the top 20 restaurants in the US a couple of years ago.

If you are a 'foodie', then you are a gourmet restaurant junkie. Any other 'fix' just won't do. No matter where you eat, if you don't go to the French Laundry, it is going to bug you. So, if you fit the above description, yes, it is worth it. I just ate at Keller's other restaurant in NYC, PerSe, and I felt like I died and went to heaven. Close to $500 a couple and worth every dime.

You are a candidate for eating at the French Laundry if:

You would rather eat a good meal than go to the theater. Or the opera. Or a football game, including the playoffs. You would have a hard time deciding between dinner and the Super Bowl.

You spend your hotel money on dinner and stay at Motel 6.

You always eat at the best place in town whatever town you're in.

You have a speed dialer and a day off for calling for reservations exactly 60 days in advance.

I recommend Celedon, in Napa.

How do I get reservation there? I'm dying to go to French Laundy for years, but I've been scared of even trying, because I'm not willing to listen to busy signal for hours. The story I read of waiting on line for hours. Is it true? Is there any better way of getting reservation? I wish I could reserve over internet.

My friends and I here in Sonoma County always understood a "foodie" was like
a "groupie"-just following the latest flash to say they'd been and then on to the next "hot" eatery of the moment.
In that context, French Laundry would be "old hat" wouldn't it?
Honestly, we never hear much about it anymore-we do hear about the previously mentioned Celedon and La Toque. So, I guess if you are a "foodie" those are the places to be. A truly wonderful
secret surprise is getting raves in Petaluma-it's called One Fifty Four-
but it probably does not have the marketing budget of FL-The SF Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer gave it
a glowing review-and no place is ever good enough for him!
R5

razzledazzle-as a foodie, I can say, not true. we follow the chef, not the restaurant. a true foodie would rather get Jean-George's autograph than Tom Cruise. Meeting the masters is a thrill. Being invited to tour the kitchen is like a tourist visiting ABC studios. And getting an extra 'amuse' for being a regular customer at Bouley, priceless.

It is definitely worth it! My husband and I went to the French Laundry for our 25th Anniversary last year. It was the hightlight of our trip (we're from Michigan). If you love fine wine and exquisite food you will be very happy indeed.

I consider myself a foodie, but to decide between a meal nd the Super Bowl? Hmmmmm, well if the Jets are in it (haha - keep wishing), then the Superbowl wins hands down. :)

La Toque's Ken Frank is a culinary wizard--I'd follow him anywhere. :-X

Bugswife-Ah, I see. In your circle,a true foodie is a chef groupie-are the perks and personality over or equal to the food?
I'm truly curious!
And if said chef leaves for another venue does the place name that made him famous tank if the next chef is not up to par?
It almost sounds like a spectator sport!
Just kidding...
R5

razzle-(may I call you razzle?). Very funny. You are right, to a point. Many times when a chef leaves a restaurant its demise is eminent.

The food obviously is more important than charm (there is nothing charming about Mario Batali), but it didn't hurt his reputation when I heard that adorable Todd English sing happy birthday to his son at a supperclub dinner. You just really wanted to take a bite out of HIM!!!

And it is a spectator sport if you just watch and don't eat. : - )

Just called to make a reservation and got through --1st try. Unfortunately, they are booked for the 2 nights we will be in Napa in August. Oh, well, I'm sure I can find another good alternative based on the recommendations here!

KathyM, when we stayed in a B&B in Napa, the owner was able to make reservations for us at several then-sought after places. Could someone where you're staying perhaps try to get you in?

They did encourage me to call back several days before, because that is when people need to reconfirm their reservations and sometimes places open up.

I've eaten at FL and enjoyed the food very much. On the other hand, I didn't think it was far and away better than other restaurants in the SF Bay Area, including Masa, Charles Nob Hill, Gary Danko, Chez Panisse, Boulevard, or Michelin 2 and 3-starred restaurants in France. If you get a reservation, great. If you don't, there are so many other restaurants to choose from.

You had my fullest respect bugswife until you mentioned Todd English....truly icckky IMHO, have seen, met and spoken with him...wouldn't be my first or fifth choice as a guest at my dinner party. And his places in Boston have a bad rep for consistancy in the kitchen and overall poor training of all staff.