December 22, 2007

It isn’t impossible to get reservations at the famed French Laundry by phone, no matter what some people say. I’ve gone four times and each time was by phone. I just called exactly two months in advance, it used to be one, to the second and voila, I have reservations.

Though, I must say, this guy does have a system. Give it a shot. It can’t hurt.

After thinking about our visit to the French Laundry some more, I realise that part of our expectations was that it would be like it was 10 years ago. It’s moved on and in our minds, we have not. On the other hand, I could have gotten this same experience at Tru in Chicago. That is to say, the model is similar. It felt like we were at Tru rather than the French Laundry. So, I guess we’ll have to go back and retry it sometime in the future. Of course, we’ll be paying for this visit for the next 6 months. So, how about in five years? Check back then.

BTW, Kim completely disagrees with this sentence: “On the other hand, I could have gotten this same experience at Tru in Chicago.” She felt that the experience was nothing like Tru and completely French Laundry. I have to say that she is right. However, I also feel that top notch restaurants are going for the two amuse buse whammy left and right. Charlie Trotter’s is the first restaurant to have an amuse buse station, or so they told us. They are also going for a strictly tasting menu approach. And finally, the mortar style bombardment of desserts as typified by Charlie Trotter’s, Tru restaurant, French Laundry and many others. Finally, the gift of Pound Cake (Charlie Trotter’s, Tru), Short Bread (French Laundry) is now the thing to do. However, I’ll bet dollar to donuts that the French Laundry started all these trends. Or maybe Charlie Trotter’s. And Tru and other restaurants like them are following in their brilliant footsteps.

In the end, I would have been willing to say, “Hey, it’s just me. I must of gotten up on the wrong side of the souffle” Except for the fact that Kim feels the same. Something was missing. But don’t let me discourage you. Get on the phone or online and get a reservation. Don’t forget to call them 72 hours before the reservation to confirm. What have you got to lose? 😉 It’s still the best bet in town.