San Francisco Bay Area: Your favorite things to do or places to go
11-04-2018
, 01:03 PM
Fun trip report, thanks for sharing ^
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French Laundry wildly exceeded my expectations. French isn't one of my favorite cuisines, but given how much everyone raves about it, felt like a thing to try. So when a non Japanese meal became my new #1 all time, I was pretty surprised.
Loved the menu. Oysters and pearls were my favorite course but really everything was wonderful. The service was "only" very good, but not in a way that detracted from the experience. The only negative thing I would say is having the cheapest whiskey on the menu as a $50 version of Wild Turkey was a bit obnoxious, since I already spent $600/head on a meal. But still think it was completely spectacular experience that I'd recommend a major foodie try for a special occasion. Took some friends for their wedding present and it was a obviously a huge hit.
The dessert plate at the end was special, even compared to other fine dining.
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French Laundry wildly exceeded my expectations. French isn't one of my favorite cuisines, but given how much everyone raves about it, felt like a thing to try. So when a non Japanese meal became my new #1 all time, I was pretty surprised.
Loved the menu. Oysters and pearls were my favorite course but really everything was wonderful. The service was "only" very good, but not in a way that detracted from the experience. The only negative thing I would say is having the cheapest whiskey on the menu as a $50 version of Wild Turkey was a bit obnoxious, since I already spent $600/head on a meal. But still think it was completely spectacular experience that I'd recommend a major foodie try for a special occasion. Took some friends for their wedding present and it was a obviously a huge hit.
The dessert plate at the end was special, even compared to other fine dining.
01-04-2019
, 04:10 PM
When I was there there was no wait but we had a group of about 20 and had pre-booked something (a small holiday event for a team at work). Here was our prepped menu:
Bar Nuts - Didn't try (I was late)
Cacio E Pepe Chicaharrones - Not much Cacio e pepe flavor to me but delicious nonetheless
Raw Oysters - Didn't try (have avoided oysters since getting sick at Novella last year), well received by those who ate them
Cauliflower Salad - really excellent, well seasoned and great blend of flavors
Crispy Mushrooms - IMO a must order. Great replacement for french fries / onion rings. These blew me away and the dip was excellent
Loaded baked potato - Tasty and well done, but not wouldn't go out of my way to order again unless in the mood for cheesy broccoli
Pumpkin Al pastor - Fantastic and delicious. Incredible amount of flavor, pumpkin cooked perfectly to have enough chew to be 'meaty'. Worth trying for sure
TL Patty Melt - I appreciated the execution and presentation of this, but did not like the beef flavor. Reminded me of buying ground beef in a tube from discount grocers (slightly sour, wet socks smell/taste). Not sure if it was a bad night or what. Would prob give it one more chance and then not order again if it was the same issue. Very generously salted though, which I appreciated
Cookies - The main disappointment of the night. These were not good and baked in a weird stick type of shape.
Regarding drinks:
Mai-o-mai was the top drink for the group. Thought the coffee rum float was an interesting flavor and contrast
In the Pines, enjoyed this but ultimately switched to beer. I'm not really a new-age cocktail person.
Looking over this list there was a decent amount I didn't love but I still came away with a really good impression of the place which tells you how much I liked the cauliflower, mushrooms and pumpkin. If I headed back with the same menu I'd get those three and try the octopus and beef cheek or pork roast.
Bar Nuts - Didn't try (I was late)
Cacio E Pepe Chicaharrones - Not much Cacio e pepe flavor to me but delicious nonetheless
Raw Oysters - Didn't try (have avoided oysters since getting sick at Novella last year), well received by those who ate them
Cauliflower Salad - really excellent, well seasoned and great blend of flavors
Crispy Mushrooms - IMO a must order. Great replacement for french fries / onion rings. These blew me away and the dip was excellent
Loaded baked potato - Tasty and well done, but not wouldn't go out of my way to order again unless in the mood for cheesy broccoli
Pumpkin Al pastor - Fantastic and delicious. Incredible amount of flavor, pumpkin cooked perfectly to have enough chew to be 'meaty'. Worth trying for sure
TL Patty Melt - I appreciated the execution and presentation of this, but did not like the beef flavor. Reminded me of buying ground beef in a tube from discount grocers (slightly sour, wet socks smell/taste). Not sure if it was a bad night or what. Would prob give it one more chance and then not order again if it was the same issue. Very generously salted though, which I appreciated
Cookies - The main disappointment of the night. These were not good and baked in a weird stick type of shape.
Regarding drinks:
Mai-o-mai was the top drink for the group. Thought the coffee rum float was an interesting flavor and contrast
In the Pines, enjoyed this but ultimately switched to beer. I'm not really a new-age cocktail person.
Looking over this list there was a decent amount I didn't love but I still came away with a really good impression of the place which tells you how much I liked the cauliflower, mushrooms and pumpkin. If I headed back with the same menu I'd get those three and try the octopus and beef cheek or pork roast.
