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The French Laundry

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6640 Washington St, Yountville, CA 94599-1301
Yountville, CA 94599

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(707) 944-2380
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Reviews
( 50 )
( 13 )
( 6 )
( 2 )
( 5 )

Best

The French Laundry is not just a great French restaurant in America, it is a great French restaurant anywhere in the world, most definitely including France. There is a magic tha...

Worst

I like to be offered a drink before dinner when I'm about to sit down for 10 courses. I had to ask twice and they would not serve our champagne until everyone had arrived at the ...

Yummy! 4/25/2006

The food was the best I've ever eaten, and the reservations were surprisingly easy to get. Just call at around 2 in the afternoon and ask if they've had any cancellations. Out of 7 phone calls, we found 3 openings, with one that we could make. I was surprised by how down-to-earth the food was! The flavors and textures were very warm and inviting, and the chef took full advantage of the season - we were served fish, lobster, quail, and lamb - all impeccably prepared. The sommelier was also extremely nice - we were very frank about our $150 wine budget, and he selected a glass of champagne each, and a half-bottle of white and one of red. It was well worth the $650 for the two of us, and this is coming from a grad student! Pros: Food!!!, Service, Wine Cons: price more
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Disappointed 11/11/2005

For all the hype about the FL, the experience fell way short of what this highly rated restaurant should be serving. Every single item out of their kitchen must be a ""to die for"" dish with no excuses for mediocrity. The small cone with tuna tartar and creme fraiche was just plain and uneventful. You'll get a choice of salad or foie gras. Don't pass up on the foie gras--it was fantastic!! The salad,which my wife had was boring. We found the dishes as they alternated were huge hits or misses. The lobster ravioli was out of this world good. The snapper was served semi rare and was fishy and bland. The hen stuffed with ham and foie gras tasted like a slab of smoked ham. The kobe beef was good but average when compared with any good steak house. The ballet walking servers is just silly. Save your money. Pros: Sevice, Ambience Cons: Inconsistent food more
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Overrated 11/11/2005

After hearing so much about the French Laundry, I expected that the food would be phenomenal. Service was excellant. The ambience of the restaurant was also wonderful. The foie gras and lobster ravioli were phenomenal and did live up to expectations, but all the other dishes were not as consistent and were just average to good and not what I would expect from a restaurant that is lauded as one of the best restaurants in the nation (or even internationally). The snapper served was a bit fishy, the hen stuffed with ham mousse and foie gras just tasted entirely of ham, and the cheese plate was uneventful. Given the price (over $1300) for five people, every dish should have been a dish to die for. Pros: Foie Gras Dish, Lobster Dish, Excellant Service Cons: Expensive, Other Dishes Average more
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Always Impressed 10/12/2005

I've been once again for dinner and was as happy as the last time I was in Napa. This is a great locale for a special night. I had a wonderful dinner for two with an absolutely charming server who took care of us from beginning to end. We really didn't have to ask for anything as our server was attentive while not being bothersome. The ambience of the restaurant is great. It is classy and elegant and lends support to any special evening. I have to admit, the two wonderful wine bottles suggested were fantastic. Finishing the night was terrible, as we would have happily eaten another course... but we were extremely full! Thanks for another wonderful evening. Pros: server, ambience, location (in Napa) Cons: wait time, location (from SF) more
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Best Food ever! 8/2/2005

This restaurant has the best food and best service. It was worth the price. A meal at the french laundry will be a meal remembered forever. Everyone should dine here once in their life. Make shure you make reservations 2 months to the day in advance. Pros: Great Food., Great Service. more
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The best restaurant!! 8/1/2005

The perfect tasting menu! Expensive but worth all the money. Bring your wine (can not be on their list) and pay the corkage. Excellent wine service Pros: food Cons: difficult reservation, high corkage more
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Best Restaurant In The World 5/27/2005

ABSOLUTELY the best meal I have ever had. We had the Chef's Tasting Menu where each course is complimented by exquisite wine. I have never had fish, caviar, oyster or lobster before in my life because usually the smell of seafood is a huge turn off. I tried all the above during my meal at the French Laundry and loved every bite. The service was perfected down to a science where every little detail is carefully addressed. This is the place to be for that extra special occasion or just when you want to be pampered like never before! Pros: FOOD!, exceptional service, ambiance Cons: nothing... more
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Dazzling 10/23/2004

Dazzling, Innovative, Perfect; all words I would use to describe The French Laundry. Even though Thomas himself insists '...there is no such thing as perfect food, only the idea of it'. Good luck getting reservations unless you're a local. However, for the privileged, Thomas Keller will 'wow' you beyond belief. This is by far my favorite restaurant. Yountville alone is worth the short drive; but when paired with evening reservations here, it's a must do... more
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It is a heavenly experience 9/19/2004

We have been to French Laundry twice in the past. I'll go anytime if I can get a reservation. The food is cooked perfectly, and the flavor is just unbelivable. I had foie gras prepared in four different way in one dinner, and they were all extraordinary. We asked the waiter to suggest a wine, and the wine went very well with the food. French Laundry has great wine selection, and they will find the wine to complement your dishes. Pros: food, wine, service Cons: , availability more
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Best Dining Experince Ever 8/9/2004

I'm a big foodie, I've been to Charlie Trotter, True, Pump Room, I even got the chance to eat at all the five restaurants in AOL Time Warner building prior to their opening but The French Laundry was the pinnacle of all my dinning experiences. Thomas Keller created an 18 course 40 different plate five hour dinner Service was excellent and everyone was knowledgable. The Wine list was incredible. No doubt a dinner to write home to. Pros: food, service more
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Still the best... 5/27/2004

This is still be far my favorite restaurant. I just got back from New York and dined at Daniel, among other top restaurants. In the Bay Area, I have had the fortune of dining at Gary Danko and Masa's. The French Laundry, although a very close call, I think still tops the charts with these other exquisite restaurants. Pros: Friendly service, Extensive wine list more
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French Laundry the benchmark 12/19/2003

On a recent 2 week vacation to France, Paris, and 10 days touring Dijon, Lyon, Nice, Perrigord and other cities and making sure to make two months ahead of time reservations at Paul Buccasse and other well known places like Alain Ducasse, the French Laundry with Thomas Keller is still my benchmark 10 for French food. Only establishments in France were able to be in the 9 area. Every dish on the constantly updated tasting menu will ""wow"" you and that is a rare accomplishment for any resturante to achieve. The only thing to keep in mind is that this place every day of the year is booked two months to the day. Also do not take someone not very special as this dinner will be ingraved in your brain along with the memories of whom you were with. Pros: the best food taste, unique flavors, presentation more
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Perfection! 10/22/2003

My husband and another couple recently dined at the FL (10/18/2003), and we all agreed it was by far the most incredible dining experience we have ever had, including restaurants in France, NY etc. The staff was friendly, informative, and passionate about their work. After dinner we were taken and introduced to the kitchen staff, who were happy to answer questions. We are fortunate to live near the restaurant; however, there are concierge services that will stand in line for you for a fee of $50 and make a reservation for you (so stop whining about getting reservations!). I have waited years to eat at FL, and it was worth it. Also, this was a Saturday night and no one was waiting for a table, so whoever said they waited 1.5 hours was lying! I would rather eat there once a year, and never eat anywhere else. Pros: Flavors, Macaroni & Cheese, Elegant setting Cons: Nothing more
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Incredicble! 9/24/2003

The best dining experience of all time. The most delicious food...very hard to get a reservation but worth it for a special occasion. Wonderful! more
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INCREDIBLE! 8/22/2003

We have had the opportunity to dine here twice. First time was a romantic special occasion, just the two of us and it was fabulous. The second trip was for a special birthday with another couple. We had the best time ever! The food, the service, the wine and actually getting to meet Thomas Keller and tour the kitchen was one experience I will never forget. Even though we had to wait for our table, they could not have been more gracious. The champagne was flowing and they kept bringing little teasing appetizers to keep us amused. This is a restaurant not to be missed! Pros: Wonderful Service, Superb Food, Innovative more
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Lifetime Experience 8/6/2003

French Laundry is in it's own catergory. This restaurant is heaven to diners like us. I had the most wonderful meal there. Though is is quite hard to get reservations here, it is worth the wait. I had chef's tasting menu. The presentation (very creative), service, ambience was more then excellent. I am having a hard time finding words to describe my experience. All I am going to say is all you out there be sure to try this heavenly experience. This experience was more then words could ever say....Truly Divine....I highly recommend French Laundry to everyone out there, if there is something such as ""perfect"", this is it...I am readyto go back again and it has just been 2 weeks. Pros: Great Food, Service, Ambience more
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Fine but not Sublime 7/16/2003

I've been to the French Laundry twice. The service is very good to excellent, the ambiance is fine, and the food is fine. So why do I only give it a 7 overall? Because only a few dishes were truly sublime. All the ingredients are perfectly fresh, the preparation is careful, the dishes taste good, but although Keller has said that what he tries for is the sudden jolt of flavor, the sudden realization that you're tasting something amazing. Something you haven't experienced before. Something with flavors that take you to another level. I've experienced sublime dishes many times in restaurants all over the world. The French Laundry, when I've been there, is fine but it doesn't usually reach those heights for me. Pros: wonderful ingredients, beautiful preparation, fine service Cons: dishes arrive slowly, great but not sublime, not worth the effort more
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Not a must-go-back kind of place 5/12/2003

Believe me, the pleasure of The French Laundry is in the hunt for a reservation. Yeah, it's a great experience, but relatively all down hill once you get the time slot. The food is great, the service is friendly and efficient (not snotty at all). HOWEVER, it's unfortunately the kind of place where you feel like you have to whisper in order to not have the entire dining room within earshot - sure, you don't go there to rock and roll, but it's not really the kind of atmostphere that is conducive to fun or conversation. Oh, and our lunch for 3 - with only 1 bottle of mid-level wine - was $520. Glad I went, but I wouldn't go back. Go to GARY DANKO instead! Pros: excellent service, unique flavor combos Cons: overhyped, morgue-y atmostphere more
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Memorable 12/12/2002

A memorable experience. It is very difficult to get reservations, but it is definitely worth the effort. I have been fortunate enough to dine at the French Laundry twice. Both experiences have been wonderful. The food preparation and use of ingredients is very innovative. The service is excellent without being stuffy. Pros: romantic, casual yet elegant, incredible food more
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An Event in my life 12/6/2002

Masterful...unbelievable service, food like an art form,every need or want anticipated and met..fantastic... more
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