Lunch at the Laundry

I've attended a number of bridal showers in my life, but when I was invited to a hosted lunch at the esteemed French Laundry I knew this one was going to be a bit different. Jeff and I dined at the Laundry a few years ago for dinner and the experience was incredibly impactful. It was one of my very first fine dining experiences and I remember being blown away by both the quality of food and the level of service. I also have memories of being the most full I have ever been (still, to this day!)

Our lunch took place in the private dining room, and consisted of a eight course chef's tasting menu, not including two amuse bouche and mignardises. The French Laundry will have been open fifteen years this summer, and we were treated to a number of their most famous dishes, including the salmon tartare (above) as well as the Cauliflower Panna Cotta with caviar (below). Yeah, I hated that one, evidently.

We were also treated to another standby dish, Peas and Carrots, which included lobster tail and butter soaked peas and carrots (below) which was one of the few low points in the meal. The lobster was quite chewy and flavorless. It was also flown in from Maine, which didn't quite seem to follow the Laundry's locally sourced philosophy regarding the rest of their ingredients.


Following the lobster, we had an excellent rib-eye of lamb (above) paired with an equally excellent Chianti (Fattoria Selvapiana "Vigneto Bucherchiale" Chianti Rufina 2004, imported by Winebow). I'm far from a wine expert, but I know enough to know that the sommelier is there for a reason. We gave him a budget and told him we wanted a red wine to go with the lamb and the cheese. I thought the pairing was great, as was the cheese. They refered to the dish (below) as "Scharfe Maxx" but I don't actually know what the cheese was. It did however, come with the worlds most delicious brussel sprout.

Dessert consisted first of a buttermilk sherbet, and then a heavier chocolate gateau. The latter included bananas, one of the few foods I truly dispise, but the staff graciously brought me a chocolate passionfruit mousse instead (below). I'm grateful to the kitchen for not making me eat bananas, as well as to Jillian for pointing out that my dessert was served to me on four plates.

We finished our meal with a selection of mignardises (below), as well as a variety of truffles. Now, a few years, and a lot of meals later, it was still a memorable, and pretty exceptional experience. I don't mean to sound snotty, because the meal was incredible, it just wasn't better than I remember. I guess this is the unfair judgment that I place on a restaurant of this caliber - I want it to be better than I remember, to evolve and to change. The first time I went I experienced flavors I had never had before, and a level of service that I didn't even know existed. Maybe I'm more jaded now, or my taste levels are more evolved, but I was underwhelmed by the culinary experience. However, watching my friend unwrap nine pairs of frilly panties at a 3-star Michelin restaurant - that was most definately a new experience.

Comments

[Alleigh]

It's too bad that The French Laundry didn't offer you something new in terms of taste or expectations, but it sounds like it was a fantastic meal, some well-paired and excellent Chianti, and a great bridal shower. The pictures definitely make the food look spectacular!