The French Laundry
Yountville, CA
August 14, 2005
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| After 2 years of constant calling and many hours on hold, Dave finally secured a last minute reservation at The French Laundry. Even the "reservationist" was excited. It was Saturday August 6th and our reservation was the next Sunday August 14th. We had to book our trip! | |
 Our first stop was Bouchon and Bouchon Bakery |
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 We sat out back and took it all in. Then went and changed into our outfits! |
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 Dave in front of the restaurant |
 The placesetting. Note the laundry pin! |
 Look close, that's us in the mirror! |
 Amuse bouche. Warm puff pastry scented with Gruyere cheese! mmm! |
 Tomato confit cones |
 Ancien Pinot Noir from Carneros. |
 Cold avocado soup poured over fresh raw corn kernels then topped with chili oil tableside |
 Soup bowl on top of 3 plates please! Dave had asked for 4! |
 Dave enjoying the wine! |
 Compressed melons with mint syrup, baby cilantro leaves and kalmata olives with dehydradred kalamata olive essence |
 Bread with sweet and salted butter from local dairies |
 Leen in heaven. |
 Heirloom tomato and cheese tarte with medjool dates. marmalade and 25 year old balsamic vinegar (applied at the table) |
 Oven roasted heirloom beets, braised spring onions and apples with beet essence. |
 Close up of the laundry pin business card. |
 Eggplant stuffed with ratatoue with a swiss chard ravioli and spinich saffron puree |
 Baby roasted potatoes (salty!) with sugar snap peas, chantarelle mushrooms, in a creme fresh foam topped with shaved black truffle |
 Cheese course of aged local goat cheese, marinated organic strawberries, funnel cake, honey served with two kinds of bread (current and walnut) |
 Valrhona chocolate sorbet, spanish peanut nougatine, aventinus dopple bock beer geoise and peanut cream |
 Rich and roasty coffee with warmed cream |
 Peach gratin with creme fraiche ice cream. Smelled like toasted marshmallows. Maybe the best thing. |
 Mini creme brulee |
 Mini pot de creme |
 with plum at the bottom |
 Last course. Mini petit fours. |
 Bathroom was like a home |
 Hard working chefs in spotless kitchen |
 French Laundry garden across the street |
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