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Had lunch at French Laundry yesterday. Most dishes were fantastic. Two of them I wasn’t a fan of. Service overall was good, but definitely not as good as my previous visit or up to 3* standards. My glasses were empty multiple times, for example. Also, I’m mildly annoyed that you have to pay supplements for certain things like truffles, better caviar, and wagyu beef. They also don’t take discover card, which is stupid. I wanted my 5% cash back! I think I’ll try Meadowood next time as I was a little disappointed after this lunch, and wearing a jacket in 100 degree weather wasn’t fun. |
Originally Posted by sophialite
(Post 31351497)
Gaggan - 8/10. Bo Lan - 1/10. Waste of my life. |
Originally Posted by United747
(Post 31351526)
I think I’ll try Meadowood next time as I was a little disappointed after this lunch [at French Laundry], and wearing a jacket in 100 degree weather wasn’t fun.
The other reason is that it’s just not as good as so many other options now in the Bay Area at the 3* level. Its 3* are a testament to Michelin’s catering to top tier chefs even when the the product isn’t as impressive. Jean George in NYC was a perfect example...until Michelin FINALLY demoted it to 2*. Atelier Crenn has been superior to FL for years but only this last year earned its 3rd star? I don’t think so. Meadowood is vastly better...though we weren’t as wowed for our dinner in May—felt a bit more 2* but for the one spectacular dish. But we love Meadowood anyway. It’s got it all: super service, a spectacularly beautiful dining room, casually elegant ambience appropriate to Napa Valley, incredible bar and wine program, and (usually) spectacularly delicious and inventive food. |
Originally Posted by sophialite
(Post 31351497)
Alright we are half way through the year and I've eaten at a bunch of places: Eleven Madison Park - Once in Jan and again in May. Have been going at least once per year for the last ten years. Always at least an 8/10. Gaggan - 8/10. Bo Lan - 1/10. Waste of my life. Ikoyi - 9/10. Love it. Gramercy Tavern - 9/10. I had been there only twice before and am surprised I don't go there more often. Confirmed Reservations: El Cellar, Osteria Francescana. Thinking of visiting: Pujol. I'm in NYC again for Christmas and EMP 3 times a year is a bit much, so will ask my team to get Chefs Table or Le Bernardin. Never been to Chef's Table but LB didn't wow me the last time I was there. Might also try a Sushi place but not sure where in NYC to go. Nakazawa wow'd me the first time and disappointed the second. Yasuda is always a classic but I want to try something new. |
Originally Posted by bhrubin
(Post 31352061)
The jacket requirement at French Laundry is part of the reason we’ve never returned: it’s completely ridiculous and wholly out of touch with California and the Napa Valley. |
Originally Posted by sophialite
(Post 31351497)
Osteria Francescana. |
Lung King Heen and Otto e Mezzo are definitely a must go. The vibe is more laid back than the traditional 3 star experience but the food is amazing.
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Originally Posted by United747
(Post 31351526)
I think I’ll try Meadowood next time as I was a little disappointed after this lunch, and wearing a jacket in 100 degree weather wasn’t fun. Agree completely on TFL's jacket requirement. It's not even the heat, but the pretentiousness in an agricultural community. |
Originally Posted by PsiFighter37
(Post 31352236)
Don't bother with EMP again. Chef's Table is a fantastic visit - best of the 3* places in NYC IMO. If you want to do sushi, do Sushi Ginza Onodera (2* across from Bryant Park).
While I'm posting, I'll mention I'm also a big fan of Ginza Onodera. I always wonder how much of that $400pp goes towards paying the rent though... |
Meadowood underwhelmed me tho this was around 5 years ago.
Also agree with the rec to visit Gaa - having been to Gaggan as well I thought Gaa was overall more enjoyable but maybe not quite as clever. Is Bo Lan really not all that? Been meaning to try that for a while. |
Originally Posted by sophialite
(Post 31351497)
Thinking of visiting: Pujol. I'm in NYC again for Christmas and EMP 3 times a year is a bit much, so will ask my team to get Chefs Table or Le Bernardin. Never been to Chef's Table but LB didn't wow me the last time I was there. Might also try a Sushi place but not sure where in NYC to go. Nakazawa wow'd me the first time and disappointed the second. Yasuda is always a classic but I want to try something new. + another vote for Chef's Table and Ginza Onodera. Also recommend Ichimura at Uchu. |
Originally Posted by jbeans
(Post 31360266)
If you're gonna be in CDMX, I highly recommend Quintonil, I enjoyed it much more than Pujol.
That being said, Michelin does not rate restaurants in Mexico, so this discussion is off-topic for this thread. |
Originally Posted by jbeans
(Post 31360266)
For Pujol make sure you reserve the regular dining room, not the taco omakase. I did the omakase and regretted it. If you're gonna be in CDMX, I highly recommend Quintonil, I enjoyed it much more than Pujol.
+ another vote for Chef's Table and Ginza Onodera. Also recommend Ichimura at Uchu. |
AL's Place - San Francisco. One well-deserved star.
Easy two star food but for the setting, which is a super casual and very loud atmosphere. This was some of the most creative and delicious food I've had in ages. And almost every course can be done in a "small" to allow ordering a bunch of things to try, or in a "large" if you want to be selfish. Not a single miss in the 7 things we ordered + a delicious bottle of a southern French rose. $193 before the tip. |
Oaxen Krog (2*) in Stockholm. Superb food in a wonderful location with good service. Wines are ridiculously priced by international standards (this being Sweden and all) so I had some excellent local beers. Food was solid 2* with several dishes nudging 3* in presentation and sourcing of produce. Excellent.
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