As the Tin Man prepared for his trip to the wine country, French Laundry was at the top of his list…..oh, then this news……….
“The iconic French Laundry in Yountville has confirmed dates for a planned closure and major renovation, and the plans are a fair bit more ambitious than originally hinted at. As chef-owner Thomas Keller tells the SF Chronicle, what began as some modifications to the restaurant’s entry and an expansion of the kitchen blossomed into a major overhaul and reconstruction of the kitchen which will begin the week after Christmas and won’t be complete for about six months.
You see the reason for this desire is because Thomas Keller (born October 14, 1955) is an American chef, restaurateur, and cookbook writer. He and his landmark Napa Valley restaurant, The French Laundry in Yountville, California, have won multiple awards from the James Beard Foundation, notably the Best California Chef in 1996, and the Best Chef in America in 1997. The restaurant is a perennial winner in the annual Restaurant Magazine list of the Top 50 Restaurants of the World.
Timing is everything!!! But wait, there is more…….
In 2005, Keller was awarded the three star rating in the inaugural Michelin Guide for New York for his restaurant Per Se, and in 2006, he was awarded three stars in the inaugural Michelin Guide to the Bay Area for The French Laundry.
He is the only American chef to have been awarded simultaneous three star Michelin ratings for two different restaurants. He currently holds 7 Michelin stars total:
3 at Per Se, 3 at The French Laundry, and 1 at Bouchon.
Bouchon it will be then……reservations were made…
Delightful and Delicious was awaiting us within these walls…..
Marvelous atmosphere………
We were seated at a lovely table and then the magical culinary symphony began….
Of course, we must begin with wine….
My palate was all a tither at the delights that awaited….
First, the Foie Gras de Canard ……….oh swoon….
Then the Möelle Rôti…..Roasted Bone Marrow……
The table covered with delights………the wine, the tasty morsels …..it was culinary nirvana …
Sitting in Thomas Keller’s restaurant surrounded by laughter and the aromas of saffron….thyme…roasted meats….
Then the mains came…Boudin Blanc ……..white sausage with dried French plums and mashed….
….Truite Amandine….Idaho rainbow trout with haricorts verts, toasted almonds and beurre noisette…
Absolutely Delightful……amazing service and delectable food….
….perhaps a bit of coffee….
Then off to the Bouchon Bakery next door……
What a delightful evening……….hope you enjoyed the visit
The Bouchon was such a delight, Tin Man was quite pleased the French Laundry was closed…hope you enjoyed the visit!
Tales and Travels of the Tinman 
Glad you enjoyed yourself.
It was most delightful!
With the help of Chef Emil the Tin Man always finds the restaurants with the best stars! I am glad your second choice turned out well. Thanks for the visit!
Oh, Jo Nell, it was quite marvelous, actually. Not my taste for everyday; however, as a once in a lifetime experience is was quite fun. The food was lovely and the service delightful. My tastes are a bit simpler and I prefer a quieter environment. But I would repeat the experience.
Pretty lighting, Monsieur Tin Man. What a fun post. I loved the suspense! You tell a tale well. Did you make any purchases at the bakery?
~Theadora
Why thank you Theadora! It was a fun time and no, the bakery was shutting when we came to it and they allowed a quick glance in and then showed us the door…..hahahhaha, all for the better as the foie gras was rich enough and i ate the duck fat from the top also!!!! The smells coming from the bakery were pure heaven.
Tin Man how I envy your magnificent dining experience. I have long considered Thomas Keller the preeminent American chef. My daughter and her husband were staying with old family friends (Mondavi Winery) in Napa and dined at The French Laundry. When Thomas Keller heard Roxanne’s Ma was owner chef of one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada he put together a package of various menus inscribed “For Virginia – it’s all in the details”. I was thrilled to tears. thank you Mr. Tinny for this vicarious opportunity to dine with you.
How delightful that our lives once again come to a crossroad! I have had the opportunity to spend some time with Robert Mondavi and dine with him at his vineyard and found him to be such a kind and gracious man. How marvelous of Roxanne to have met Keller and for him to send back menus to you. What charm and delight we have experience in our lives……gems alonng the Yellow Brick Road, hidden among the poppies. Love to you!!!!
It might have been your second choice but it does sound quite good. It reminds me of a meal we had in the Alsace.