There are thousands of restaurants around the world, they range in size, pricing, and a couple of other factors, but only a few come close to the French Laundry. This aptly named restaurant has been around for longer than we can imagine, and it has always gotten incredible acclaim as well as astonishing patronage. Sadly, though, not a lot of people know much about this exclusive restaurant, and that is why we will be exploring the nooks and crannies of what makes it so sought out.
Here we will be showing you what to wear at the dinner when to book a reservation, how much a basic meal costs, and a host of other things that would be immensely beneficial if you decide to wine and dine there someday. So without further ado, let’s show you what it means to feast like a King and Queen in the prestigious French Laundry.
The Beginning of the French Laundry
While the building has been around since the year 1900, the French Laundry became official in the late 1970s as it was owned by renovated by Don Schmitt, the mayor of Yountville, and turned into a restaurant of reputable taste. The mayor and his wife owned the restaurant till the year 1994 when the present owner Chef Thomas Keller bought the place.
It was then that the place took off and the blueprint for what we have today was crafted. Since the restaurant was opened to public patronage in 1994 it has undergone some significant changes and upgrades, most notably the awarding of the prestigious three Michelin stars in 2006.
The restaurant is owned by Thomas Keller, who also serves as the head chef, he is assisted by an able hand in David Breeden and they have an efficient team of top-notch chefs to man the various cuisines on offer. The dress code of the French Laundry is pretty strict, and the restaurant only attends to customers by reservation.
The French Laundry Experience
The French Laundry is not your typical culinary experience, it is a top-notch, world-class, and extremely classy establishment that only attends to the crème of the crop of society. Being able to attend the restaurant is strictly by reservation, and it is not permissible for customers to wear casual outfits like shorts, jeans, or streetwear (1).
The meals in the restaurant are quite exorbitant, they go at a minimum cost of $310.00 for a chef’s tasting menu which ranges from meals such as Oysters and Pearls, Celery Root “Manicotti”, and Persimmon Pudding. They also have some other costlier vegetarian delicacies such as La Ratte Potato “Chiffon”, Slow Roasted Garden Celtuce, Aptos Farm Kiwi Fruit, and Slow Roasted Garden Celtuce which also go at the rate of per meal.
How Long Is a Dinner at the French Laundry?
The restaurant has a host of expensive meals that exude luxury from how they are prepared, to how they are served, and even the decorum that is observed in the location. The French Laundry has only 17 tables for a much more intimate dining experience. A typical dinner features two prix-fixe menus to choose from and will usually last about 3-4 hours.
It is worth noting that these meals are all nine-course meals and not merely individual selections. Wining and dining in the French Laundry is an overall classy experience, as you’ll be getting your money’s worth in incredible scenery with peace, quiet, and luxury.
The French Laundry has played host to a host of famous names such as artists, designers, politicians, and sports stars. It is seen as a luxury in an essence thanks to its fixed prices, delicious menu, tough to get reservations, and the immaculate dress code observed by both the staff and the guests. The host and chef have quite distinguished themselves, and that has been one of the things holding the restaurant in a place for the past couple of years.
French Laundry Awards and Accolades
The French Laundry has won a host of awards for its top-notch service and exclusive delivery, it had been at the forefront of the American culinary industry since the late, the 1990s and it has carried on the streak into the 2000s.
Since the year 2006, it has been a recipient of the prestigious three Michelin stars for the city of San Francisco. It has maintained those stars since that year and received more plaudits for its exclusive service and world-class customer service.
In the year 2007, it received the Wine Spectator Grand Award for its top notch wine house and prestigious selection. The French Laundry was also inducted into the culinary hall of fame in 2012 for decades of top-notch service to the culinary industry.
Final Thoughts
If you’re going for the best, you have to look your best and exercise a bit of patience, that saying has never been more apparent than in the concept of the prestigious French Laundry restaurant owned by Thomas Keller. However, you’re bound to be getting your money’s worth with each bite of the nine-course meal.
Just in case you are wondering how long it takes to book a reservation at the French Laundry, it takes a remarkable two months on average to book your reservation, which is super important as without a reservation you won’t be offered a seat in the venue. The dress code at the French Laundry is strictly formal, and people rocking streetwear would not be allowed entry even if they have a reservation in place.
This superb restaurant is quite pricey as the cost of a meal for two is typically about $310.00 for a nine-course meal, plus I think it’s only right to inform you that there’s no need to tip after a meal in the French Laundry as all tips have already been added to your $310.00 bill. This restaurant exudes luxury, it is an amazing place to let your hair down and wine and dine with class. Hurry up and book your reservation ASAP, because you never know how long the cue will be to gain entry after the coronavirus pandemic.
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