The French Laundry - Yountville, California

Hyejin L.

It was an amazing experience to dine at TFL. The room we were seated wasn’t too crowded so it felt nice and cozy, not too overwhelming. Every staff we interacted in the restaurant was kind and courteous, making the entire dining experience very comfortable.

My favorite dish was, of course, the Oysters and Pearls; this dish alone impressed me beyond anything else 🙂 We also enjoyed the truffle mac and cheese, the lobster, Wagyu and the prime rib. It was such an eye opening series of dishes, as each was so thoughtfully designed and executed.

It was also very nice to be able to take a look at the kitchen, to see where the magic was happening. All the chefs we met were very kind and welcoming, and it made it more personal and memorable. We can’t wait to be back.

kaplumbaja

Like a perfectly orchestrated symphony where each note is a carefully crafted bite, our evening at The French Laundry was pure magic. The service flowed like a graceful ballet, where every movement was precise yet effortlessly natural.

Each course emerged like chapters in an enchanting story, building anticipation for the next revelation.

The signature salmon cornet was a playful overture, while dishes that followed were like artistic masterpieces painted with flavors instead of colors. The kitchen, visible through the courtyard window, moved with the precision of a Swiss timepiece, each cook contributing to the culinary choreography that makes this restaurant legendary.

Even without Thomas Keller present, his spirit infused every detail - from the warm hospitality to the immaculate execution - like a master conductor's influence resonating through his orchestra.

The thoughtful gesture of engraving our celebration bottle, for free, transformed a wonderful evening into an unforgettable memory, proving that at The French Laundry, dining isn't just about food - it's about creating moments that sparkle like the finest champagne.

Simon N.

April 2024

What can I say.... amazing food, amazing service, amazing atmosphere, amazing concept, amazing everything. Meeting Thomas Keller and the pastry chef was a delight. The various gifts I received to take home, from the macaroons to the chocolate bonbons to a high quality copy of the menu were all fabulous. It's no surprise that this restaurant has been listed as one of the world's best. I will be back (if I can grab a table)!

Sean M.

Impeccable. Exquisite. Timeless.

We spent $5k for 2 people (receipt attached). Be prepared to spend money for this experience- and please don’t be like the other reviewers knocking off stars because of cost or value. That’s not what this is- that is what Olive Garden is for.

This is up there with Single Thread, Restaurant Gordon Ramsey, and Héllèn Dorroze as one of the finest restaurants in the world we have dined at.

We were lucky enough to score the Truffle & Caviar dinner ($1500/person), and we were not disappointed and left more than full. All the dishes were on point except for some oddball puff sesame rice dish with a gelatin goo… We particularly loved the white truffle soup with celery root and the white truffle risotto. Unlimited white truffle shavings on certain dishes was a treat!

When I joked they were about to shave the baby truffle into our food, they promptly left and returned with the big daddy- bigger than my fist (image attached). They don’t mess around and honestly the banter back and forth made the evening that much more enjoyable- what a great crew.

As for wine pairings- my favorite thing- Andrew the sommelier offered me three sizes- $500, $1k, or $1500. I opted for the later and I was not disappointed… he brought out some heavy hitters and even refilled me a couple times when I showed particular affinity towards one or the other.

At the end, they also took us back into the kitchen (where Chef Keller was!), as well as their $3M+ wine cellar full of some amazing offerings.

We’ll be debating for a while on where this falls within the top 3-star Michelin restaurants we’ve visited, but the fact remains- it’s superb and worth every penny.

Amy

My party of 6 were excited to snag a reservation but unfortunately all left underwhelmed. Besides the oysters and pearls dish, none of the other dishes stood out. The service was lacking as well compared to the other Michelin restaurants we’ve been to. They served my husband pistachios when he was allergic and luckily I caught it before he ate it. For a 3 star Michelin, we were expecting a lot more, especially for the price of the meal.

T V.

Simply amazing — the quintessential 3 star dining experience. From beginning to end, the service, the dining space, the plating, and most of all, the food, everything was so infused with extreme attention to detail and deliberate and delicate care.

This was a two hour and a half experience of 10 courses of the best food, beautifully presented and served. A bit pricy, but I really think that this is a worthwhile experience if you can afford it. The wine pairing was also top notch, with local and wines sourced from around the world. If you can afford to, I highly recommend the wagyu enhancement— extremely nice textures and flavor profile.

All in all, theres a reason why the French Laundry is world famous, come and see why for yourself

James G.

I mean it's the French Laundry. The food was amazing, the service was top notch, and the atmosphere was beyond anything I could have expected.

The food presentation is fantastic, the flavors are phenomenal, and the wine pairing is excellent.
Everything about the dining experience is perfection.

Phillip G.

I wanted to try all the Thomas Keller locations in the Napa region. TFL did not disappoint. The execution of the dishes was excellent. The total dining experience was nearly 3 hours- a wonderful time with friendly staff. The Modicum wines were surprisingly good. An excellent selection of wines and spirits. Chef Keller was present on the property and seen greeting guests- it’s nice to know he is still involved in the operation. A great time- would definitely recommend.