THE FRENCH LAUNDRY (L)

Sunday, January 27th at 11:30 a.m.

The day had come - our reason for having traveled to Northern California on a whim in the cold rain - and we were running late. The restaurant was only down the street, and closer to us than Bouchon, but I was nervous since we had walked by it the night before and had completely missed seeing it. And I hate feeling pressure; I hate the unknown. And it started to rain. Great. After checking out of our room, getting in the car, and driving up-and-down searching furiously for a parking spot and the restaurant, we finally found both 5 minutes after 11:30a.m. I was annoyed and stressed.

Once we stepped behind the blue door and walked up to our hostess, all the tension started to be chipped away. We were greeted warmly and she took my coat. (She didn't give me a ticket and I just knew she would have my jacket for me upon our departure without question. I was looking forward to seeing if I was right.) We were lead upstairs and then towards the left to a small enclave that had only three tables - 1 four top and 2 two tops. I thought for sure they'd put us at the small one against the wall, but then were seated at the two top by the glass doors acting as a window. We were overlooking the courtyard and I could see the road. My first impression was that it was such an oddly small room but the more I considered it, I realized we had a great table. I could already hear the other room full of guests and talking, while we were afforded both a view and some relative privacy. I finally let out a long slow breath and smiled (much to my s.o.'s relief).

Our server greeted us with pleasantries. She was dressed sharply in a suit and tie (yes, ties for the women too) and she was excited to hear that we came up JUST to visit The French Laundry. She brought our menus giving us time to review and offered us a choice between the local sparkling wine or champagne to get started. I figured we are in California's great wine country, why wouldn't we get domestic? So we happily ordered the sparkling wine - mine being made from the classic chardonnay grapes having a crisper taste, while he got the chardonnay/pinot blend which was more mellow but had a bit of depth. The bubbly was to help us start off with the first course - Caviar with Cauliflower Panna Cotta.

Note: The menu offers just two tasting menus - a traditional chef's menu and a vegetable tasting menu. While I tend to agree with the philosophy of a certain rock-n-roll-celebu-chef known for his less than subtle comments about vegetarians claiming to be foodies, I also realize that this is California which means you kind of have to cater to your clientele, and that would mean having something worthwhile for the occasional vegetarian coming this way. Naturally, we chose the Traditional Menu. The real treat was that at a course that offered two items, the diner could choose either item, instead of being forced to have the exact same menu. This was a great way to experience the full breadth of the menu. We were very pleased and made a point to get one of each and share the plates. (Having that smaller and private dining space came in extra handy now.)

D'oh - I almost forgot our first two items: a Gruyere pate a choux and the Keller classic salmon cornets (mini "ice cream cone" style hor d'oeuvres of salmon tartare about a tuille sesame cone filled with creme fraiche) All of this was gone in a few seconds.

First course - Cauliflower Panna Cotta with Caviar
I had never been served caviar whereby I could eat it with a genuine mother-or-pearl caviar spoon. As you dipped the spoon into the pale creaminess while diving for the tiny black baubles, the china made a clink sound that made me a little self-conscious. Luckily, they aren't that stuffy. The service is professional, swift, and friendly. And the dish was divine, finished off by my glass of bubbly.

Second course...
Actually, I am going to stop here. I could post the menu in full. I could describe each and every course. But for now, I am going to just not do that.

1. I am tired.

2. No matter what I say, can I really capture in words the flavors, the smells, the scene? In between each course, we watched as the rain came down in a light sprinkle, a hard pelting pour, or stopped altogether, only to start the cycle again while at the same time our dishes came and went, our place settings carefully removed and how we were able to digest that course as we waited for the next.

To dine here is not just a meal but an all encompassing experience. It is not for everyone, regardless of wealth. Some people can't fathom that food is worth any high dollar amount. And for some, it isn't about the money in and of itself - it IS about the food, the ambiance, the service, and the company.

On this wet and cold rainy day, a Sunday that usually depresses me as I consider the next working day, for a few hours I was literally transported away, both mind and body, from the usual into the extraordinary, if only for a few hours, where I didn't worry about the job, or feel depressed because I am not where I'd like to be in my life.

For a few hours, I was pampered, given a special opportunity only a few can enjoy and appreciate, and with the love of my life.

The French Laundry gave me the excuse to find this happy moment and it will be cherished. Until next time. And I do recommend it for anyone with a sense of food adventure in his or her soul.

p.s. She DID have my coat upon on departure, without instruction. They rock.