Dave

I would be interested in the approximate cost of a dinner for 2 w/drinks and moderate bottle of wine at, say, the French Laundry and White Barn Inn. Thanks. (I'm not the original poster)

Gilleria

I spent my 40th birthday at Le Jules Vernes, Tour Eiffel, Paris and the meal was truly awful. One of the worst meals I have ever been served anywhere.
Give me a burger at the golden arches before the horrid mush they serve at
Le Jules Verne!

Yum

Been to many places mentioned and most are wonderful but The French Laundry is the best and most consistant.

http://www.sterba.net/yountville/frenchlaundry/

Beth2

For new Dave:
Dinner at the White Barn Inn is prix fixe. It is currently $81 per person, not including tax, tip, and beverage. The moderate wine is appx $50-$75 a bottle. So I'd guess a typical bill for two people would be about $250-$300. I'll let a west coaster report on French Laundry.
To original Dave: Although my meal at the WBI was truly spectacular, I've found destination meals are often a disappointment. I'm not sure why... Does the reputation exceed the actuality? Does the anticipation put a damper on the reality? I think you have a really cool idea, but I would try to hit a gourmet capital for a few days, and then explore several places (and probably add a few pounds!) So, I'd probably consider California Wine Country, Paris and/or Provence, and oddly, Anguilla. Of course, NYC is always an option... but I'm not a city-lover.
Please let us know what you decide! After a casual read, it looks like French Laundry is winning. When are you deciding? And when are you going?

Mom

French Laundry! I have had the pleasure of dining there 3x and each time was flawless in every way! The menu has a few different options but I think dinner for two, with wine (moderate)tax and tip ran us about 400 dollars. The website above has samples of the menus. It brought back memories!

oldorch

peter luger's and sparks sorry dudes i like steak

SA

The French Laundry, make reservations NOW !!

Laura

Gourmet Magazine ranked Le Reve, a tiny jewelbox of a restaurant in San Antonio, as the best restaurant in Texas last year. I say it's the best in America. Impeccable French food.

Rosie

Danna--
My thoughts exactly! I was hoping someone would remind West that he is human also...

Cheers,
Rosie

xxx

FRENCH LAUNDRY!!

xxxxxxx

Le Bernardin in NYC is the best!

travellyn

Looks like French Laundry is winning here! I have only eaten at a few world-class restaurants, but I liked Everest (Chicago) more than Le Bec Fin (Philadelphia) or Jules Verne (Paris).

gc

dave,
I can't weigh in on the restaurant...I'm from Boston, where salt cod and beans are gourmet fare(plus, I do enjoy the outback). But enquiring minds need to know...when is your birthday, and how many in this post are within 14 days?

Beth2

Went to French Laundry website. Is it prix fixe? Is it $120 per person? Not the most user-friendly site - I found it hard to determine!
Well, Diner Dave, what's it going to be?

been there

Gerard's at the Plantation Inn in Lahaina on the island of Maui, Hawaii.

Dave

Thanks for the advice!

Talked to a number of people on and off-line about this and decided on the Inn at Little Washington in Washington Virginia. THe place in the Napa Valley (French Laundry) sounds interesting too.

Paul Revere

Excuse me, gc, but salt pork and beans have never been, are not, and never will be gourmet food in Boston.

Lindsey

Another vote for The French Laundry. The finest dining experience I have ever had. Worth every penny. Prix Fixe at $120 per person. Wine is extra. No wine tasting menu, but half bottles. Sommelier does an excellent job of matching.

englishteacher

The French Laundry is a wonderful dining experience. My husband's salary makes up for mine thank goodness or else we never would of eaten there. Another restaurant I enjoy is Casanova in Carmel. It's French Italian and much lighter on the pocket book.
By the way I believe either phonically or phonetically are correct.
I do think it would be nice if the President had a greater command of his native tongue.

Steve

Not French, but......the Beachwalk Cafe in Destin, Fla......oh my..Tim Creehan is a genius.