luv2travel5

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!

yk

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

Underhill

In a word, no.

SAB

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

ramona

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.

NotMe

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.

jimshep

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.

cigalechanta

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

KathyM

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!

Underhill

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.

Otis_B_Driftwood

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.

bugswife1

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.

AJPeabody

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.

loveopera

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.

razzledazzle

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

bugswife1

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.

pattiz

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.

LoriNY

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.

winerycat

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

razzledazzle

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