French Laundry Dinner (Lots of Pics)
Dec 28, 2011, 9:42 am
#32
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Portion size is definitely not an issue given the volume of food. I was so full by the end of the meal that I felt sick to my stomach. And I did not clean my plate for each course.
Dec 28, 2011, 9:26 pm
#33
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Agree
Agree. Lots of food. Don't make the mistake of eating too much bread in the beginning, thinking that there will not be enough food. U won't be able to finish the good stuff if you eat too much bread.
Dec 29, 2011, 3:27 pm
#34
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My wife keeps telling me that and I keep proving her wrong. Of course the bathroom scale gets the last laugh...
Enjoy great meals twice
Jan 6, 2012, 3:46 am
#38
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But the 3 star restaurants were mainly based upon the experience, not really the food. The luxurious chairs, decadent settings, luxurious table cloths, fancy tables, fancy room, after dinner drinks and petit fours in the 'sitting room' instead of at the table, fresh flowers that probably cost a fortune, etc. These were the things that made it a 3 star vs 2. I think the food of a Michelin 3 star, however, really was not that much better than a 2 star. Personally, I think FL would be a 2.5 star (not possible, I know) if it were in France. FL's food is 3-star, but the experience is not luxurious enough to be a full 3 star. But I certainly do not think that French Michelin stars are 'far greater' than FL, in my opinion; FL easily is on par with many of these places (whether it's worth the money or not is a whole other issue).
Luxury in Michelin restaurant ratings is denoted by crossed knives and forks, with the most luxurious restaurants receiving 5 - although, there is a cross-over in that the top restaurants must have a minimum degree of luxury. So, for example, Ubuntu could probably never achieve 2* with its current set-up. But the FL could...
Jan 7, 2012, 1:59 pm
#39
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3 vs 2
As I understand the Michelin ratings, one of the primary differences between 3* and 2* is reliability, rather than luxury. A 2* restaurant with food every bit as good as that at a 3* restaurant might receive the lower accolade because there is the occasional less-than-excellent dish, or even less-than-excellent day. Such is not acceptable in a 3* restaurant.
Luxury in Michelin restaurant ratings is denoted by crossed knives and forks, with the most luxurious restaurants receiving 5 - although, there is a cross-over in that the top restaurants must have a minimum degree of luxury. So, for example, Ubuntu could probably never achieve 2* with its current set-up. But the FL could...
Luxury in Michelin restaurant ratings is denoted by crossed knives and forks, with the most luxurious restaurants receiving 5 - although, there is a cross-over in that the top restaurants must have a minimum degree of luxury. So, for example, Ubuntu could probably never achieve 2* with its current set-up. But the FL could...
Based upon my limited experience, I would say that FL is not the "most luxurious" experience. I think Fleur de Lys, Dining Room at Ritz Carlton SF, and even Masa's have a much more "luxurious" and opulent feel than FL.
I agree about the crossed knives & forks. I have seen some with 5 of these symbols and no Michelin stars at all.
Jan 7, 2012, 6:25 pm
#40
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As I understand the Michelin ratings, one of the primary differences between 3* and 2* is reliability, rather than luxury. A 2* restaurant with food every bit as good as that at a 3* restaurant might receive the lower accolade because there is the occasional less-than-excellent dish, or even less-than-excellent day. Such is not acceptable in a 3* restaurant.
Jan 8, 2012, 2:02 pm
#42
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I'm glad you enjoyed it, OP, but had I been there, I'd have been thinking to myself at these prices, I could have about 10 dinners at my favorite Thai, Vietnamese and Mexican restaurants, and I'd enjoy each such dinner more than this one. Looks like the French Laundry can do without my patronage, though.
Jan 8, 2012, 2:20 pm
#43
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What if you don't want ethnic food, t hough?
I'm glad you enjoyed it, OP, but had I been there, I'd have been thinking to myself at these prices, I could have about 10 dinners at my favorite Thai, Vietnamese and Mexican restaurants, and I'd enjoy each such dinner more than this one. Looks like the French Laundry can do without my patronage, though.
However, I agree with you that even if you wanted non-ethnic food, you could eat very well for much less. Just going to a relatively simple place such as Cafe des Amis, Chez papa, or Chapeau would get you a very nice french meal at 1/5 the price of FL.
Jan 8, 2012, 2:42 pm
#44
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In places like New York City, Chicago and here in the S.F. Bay Area, there is an abundance of insanely great restaurants. I get how someone would want to experience first-hand a famous restaurant like French Laundry, Chez Panisse, etc., but if your first choice is booked up, just look around and you'll easily find an outstanding alternative.
Jan 8, 2012, 7:02 pm
#45
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In places like New York City, Chicago and here in the S.F. Bay Area, there is an abundance of insanely great restaurants. I get how someone would want to experience first-hand a famous restaurant like French Laundry, Chez Panisse, etc., but if your first choice is booked up, just look around and you'll easily find an outstanding alternative.