After our walk in the gardens, D and I crossed Washington St and made our way into the French Laundry – it’s elegant and cool and dim inside, a stark contrast to the bright light and heat outside.
Our table was in a little alcove on the first floor, beneath a skylight admitting a watery light. I made myself comfortable on the plush velvet banquette, then we were presented with menus.
The decision on what to eat was easy: we both chose the regular tasting menu and declined the supplemental options (a different caviar course, and a ravioli course with Australian black truffles). The question of wine was a little more complicated – there’s a whole iPad full of choices.
We narrowed our options down to Napa Valley wines, and settled on a half bottle of Staglin 2009 Chardonnay to start, followed by 2001 Corison Cabernet.
Both were great matches for the food. I liked the Corison especially – so soft and elegant. Next time we’re in Napa Valley I definitely want to visit!
And as for the food, it was an all-around fantastic menu, filled with California summer flavors and so many of my favorite things:
Oysters and Pearls
*
Marinated French Laundry garden tomatoes
Jidori hen egg mousse, filet beans, Cherry Belle radishes
Niçoise olive tapenade and toasted country bread
Jidori hen egg mousse, filet beans, Cherry Belle radishes
Niçoise olive tapenade and toasted country bread
*
Japanese yellowtail “confit à la minute”
with Brokaw avocado jam and corn “velouté”
with Brokaw avocado jam and corn “velouté”
*
Alaskan King crab “Boudin”
Caramelized leeks, gold beet confit, “Pommes Maxim’s”
*
*
Bacon-wrapped Devil’s Gulch Ranch rabbit
Crème fraîche “gnocchi”, spice-poached prunes, wilted Swiss chard
and Tellicherry Peppercorn “Mignonette”
Crème fraîche “gnocchi”, spice-poached prunes, wilted Swiss chard
and Tellicherry Peppercorn “Mignonette”
*
Snake River Farms “Calotte de Boeuf”
Caramelized Cipollini onions, golden carrot custard, creamed Arrowleaf spinach
and “Vingaigrette Bordelaise”
*
and “Vingaigrette Bordelaise”
*
“Gâteau” of Andanté Dairy Acapella
Sicilian pistachios, honey-poached peaches and celery branch salad
*
*
Assortment of desserts
Fruits, Ice Cream, Chocolates, and “Candies”
Fruits, Ice Cream, Chocolates, and “Candies”
*
My very favorite part of our lunch came at the end, when we asked whether we could sit in the courtyard with a drink while we finished our chocolates.
But of course!
So we lingered for a while in the warm yard, sipping bitter, syrupy Amaro and enjoying a glow of well-being. An altogether delightful way to spend the afternoon.
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