La Foret in New Almaden

P. G. wrote:
> I'd be interested in hearing comments from people who have eaten
> at La Foret in New Almaden (South San Jose?).
>
> I know little about the place apart from the fact that it is french
> (duh!), very expensive, and specializes in strange game animals.
>
> Is it the wonderful experience some people claim it is? Or is it just
> pretentious with an unbelievable price tag?
>
> Pat Gainer

I love La Foret. It is my favorite restaurant in that price range. I've never found it pretentious and there has always been plenty to choose from in the non "strange game animal" area.

I've been to La Foret maybe eight times for dinner, and have also been there for private parties. Always wonderful.

Marilyn

Someone wrote:
: I'd be interested in hearing comments from people who have eaten : at La Foret in New Almaden (South San Jose?).

: I know little about the place apart from the fact that it is french : (duh!), very expensive, and specializes in strange game animals.

: Is it the wonderful experience some people claim it is? Or is it just : pretentious with an unbelievable price tag?

: Pat Gainer

Obviously, all opinions are subjective. I really like this place - for a French restaurant, it's probably the best San Jose itself has to offer. I would put it on a par with the better known French restaurants on Big Basin in Saratoga - Le Mouton Noir, La Mere Michelle, etc. I think of it as a special occasion restaurant, more for birthdays and anniversaries, so I don't go there often. Also, it's pretty hard to get to, although certainly worth it if you're looking for a good meal.

Expensive? Well, yes, about on a par with the restaurants on Big Basin. Depending on how much you want to spend on wine, of course. I took four people there once and the bill was about $250. That did include a very good bottle of wine that a friend of mine picked out (and paid for), champagne, dessert, etc. So figure two people could get a good meal there for $100 if you didn't go crazy with the wine list.

I don't recall their being too weird with exotic animals. You can get a venison sausage appetizer, perhaps, but you're not going to find roast leg of zebra on the menu. Probably not much different from any restaurant of this type in the area.

Wonderful? Well, that's entirely up to you. Only you know what you like. If you want to spend $100 on dinner for a special occasion, try it. Oh, yes, the ambience is pretty nice especially considering the rustic setting. It's in New Almaden, which still has quite a few horse ranches.

-Ken

Aahz wrote:
>P. G. wrote:
>>I'd be interested in hearing comments from people who have eaten
>>at La Foret in New Almaden (South San Jose?).
>>
>>I know little about the place apart from the fact that it is french
>>(duh!), very expensive, and specializes in strange game animals.
>>
>>Is it the wonderful experience some people claim it is? Or is it just
>>pretentious with an unbelievable price tag?
>
>I haven't been to La Foret.  Le Papillon is supposedly owned by the same
>people, and rates 11 points on a 10-point scale (on the basis of 7 or 8
>meals there).  I've heard some good things about La Foret, and no bad
>things.
>

I've been there three times and it was always great food and atmosphere! Some friends of mine had their wedding dinner there.  Dinner for 35 upstairs with a string quartet.  Five course meal switching from white to red wine halfway.  Options for main course included wild boar, fish, chicken, etc. Great meal!!!  Prices are high but it's a wonderful place for something special.

-Richard