Jennifer B. wrote: >Has anyone been to the French Laundry? What did you think? I'm >considering taking my husband there on Valentines Day. My girlfriend and I went there for my birthday last summer. We called 2 weeks in advance and were told we could only be seated at 10p. We actually got there around 9:15p and the table was sitting there empty. Overall, we were very disappointed. The service was terrible, a few examples: the downstairs is small, and one of the waiters was standing near our table (and several others) bitching loudly to a coworker about a tip he got; our waiter spilled my wine glass while clearing the dishes and just ignored it as I sat with a puddle before me. After about 5 or so minutes, I caught the attention of a busboy who brought me a napkin to cover the spill. Finally, I had the fixed price menu of 5 or 6 courses, and my girlfriend had the tasting menu of 10 courses. We ordered a half bottle of wine for the first few courses, and would have ordered another half bottle for the latter courses but our waiter, who left the empty half bottle sitting around, never asked if we would like another and wasn't around long enough for me to ask. The food, also, was a letdown. Our soups and appetizers were wonderful, but after that, everything came out tasting much too salty. Also, when my meat course was served, there was still a piece of twine tied around the meat. Very distressing. Desserts, however, were wonderful. I have only been there the once, so I can't say that my experience was typical. But I certainly can't recommend it. Especially given the cost. Have you considered Masa's or Fleur de Lys? ------------------------------------------------------------- "... every man takes the sufferings that fall to his share as the greatest." H. Hesse, Steppenwolf
California
FRENCH LAUNDRY/NAPA
Not to defend your waiter's horrible behavior, but I must say my dinner at French Laundry was one of the most enjoyable of my life. I went for the chef's tasting menu, and my wife chose the five course menu. We sat out in the garden, and enjoyed three half-bottles of wine (a Trefethen chardonnay, and two Etude pinot noirs-we just loved it) over the course of a blissful, unhurried three hours. Our waiter was extremely attentive without being annoying, and he brought my wife some little treats during my extra courses so she wouldn't have to just watch me eat. The food was extraordinary, and the whole feeling of the evening was one of pampering and relaxation. Given the current trend of 'fast fine food' where the restaurant just can't seem to get you in and out fast enough (Mustard's comes to mind...), it was particularly memorable. That said, I have never gone back to a restaurant when my first experience there was bad. There are too many good restaurants out there. I wish you better luck on your next restaurant choice. Someone wrote: > >A. G. wrote: > >>Damn! this is outrageous behavior---ANYplace I've worked, servers >>discussing tips anywhere near customers---whether talking about a big >>tip or little tip--is strictly forbidden, and you'll be fired on the >>spot, no ifs ands or buts. >>Did this guy turn out to be the moron that waited on you, or was that >>some other idiot? >> >>--ron > >Actually, yes, he was the one who spilled my wine glass and ignored >it, and left us with an empty half bottle of wine for our last 4 or so >courses. Of course, this guy also came over one time, asked us how >our food was, and when we tried to tell him it was all way too salty >(this was before the twine was left on my meat course) he had already >walked away. > >Really one of the worst servers I've ever experienced. > > > > > >-------------------------------------------------------- >"The main value of the Sword of Damocles is that >it hangs, not that it drops." Clay T. Whitehead, >Whitehouse Director of Telecommunications Policy 1970