Lights Out Films

French Laundry Restaurant

Introduction to the “French Laundry Experience” was via Anthony Bourdain’s fantastic “Cook’s Tour” show on the Food Network. Bourdain is the dude who wrote the excellent “Kitchen Confidential”, a seedy and exciting story of just what it’s like to be a chef.

Cook’s Tour is equal parts travelogue and educational food show. Through Bourdain (a gruff New York, cigarette smoking, drinking, rare-meat type. He’s no French wussy), we learn what’s good, what’s bad, and why. In one show, he went to The French Laundry in Napa. Run by Thomas Keller, widely considered to be the best chef in California, if not the West, the place is a three star French country style food extravaganza.

He LOVED the place.

Given that it’s uber-expensive, a short 45 minute plane trip near my old stomping grounds, and has a 2 month waiting list, I want to go. I’m just that kind of guy. A stuck up prick.

Not really.

I just want to know what it is to have very, very good food. I don’t think I ever have. Check out the website, the menu and the prices. 9 course Chef’s tasting menu. I think that’s what I’m going for.

http://www.frenchlaundry.com/

Better start saving a few bucks here and there…

PS: Sports coats are required for gentlemen for dinner service and requested for lunch service. Ties are optional. No jeans, tennis shoes, shorts or t-shirts are permitted in the dining room.

Tell those sloppy bastards.

PPS. AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
• 2004-2003, “Best Restaurant in the World,” Restaurant Magazine
• 2003-1998, Voted #1 – Top Food, Zagat Guide to the Bay Area
• 2002 Awarded the top honor of World Master of Culinary Arts 2001,
a 1st annual award given by Wedgewood
• 2001, “America’s Best Chef,” Time Magazine
• 2000, “Favorite Restaurant in the U.S.,” Food & Wine Restaurant Experts’ Poll

Honestly, how could you go wrong with THE BEST RESTAURANT IN THE FUCKING WORLD? Yay!