ravioli's Profile
What am I missing at the French Laundry?
I totally agree with the experience you had -- elegant, but lacking in soul and passion. I'm glad I went, but clearly missed the point.
What am I missing at the French Laundry?
Interesting - thank you! I'm not sure I understand what that means but it explains why I may have missed a suble point.
What am I missing at the French Laundry?
Had lunch with my husband at the French Laundry a while back. A nice meal, great service, but didn't rock my world and it is still bugging me. I keep hearing other chefs rave about what a visionary Thomas Keller is, but I'm not sure why. I've read some of the threads about whether people have enjoyed the restaurant or not, but I'm still trying to understand why people who like Thomas Keller's cooking think it is so amazing. (I am really on quest to understand what this is about and not being facetious.)
Some of it may just not being able to live up to the hype, but I was still really surprised. I've eaten at some other hyped places, but haven't had this type of experience. I had my first really good meal at Taillevent and I think I could still remember just about every course and finally getting what French technique was about. When I eat at Chez Panisse, I get what unfussy technique and ingredients that could stand up and sing arias is about. At Gary Danko, I get the best relationship between food and wine that I've experienced anywhere. Etc, etc, etc. What I am supposed to be getting at the French Laundry that I'm not? I know his cooking is incredibly labor intensive, but to what end?
Can anyone enlighten me?
Eos
We still enjoy it and 3-4 times a year (not in our neighborhood). I don't think you will find it has evolved as much as it might have, but I don't think you will find it stale either. One of my favorites bits is the people watching -- it seems like there is always someone with their obviously midwestern parents taking them to a restaurant that says "this is my life now and it is a little different from what you're used to".
