Comments on: The French Laundry Was Not Everything I Dreamed it Would Be

By: jessica

jessica — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:26:12 +0000

Hi Meredith, thanks for your comment. No matter how long ago this was written, I will always be happy to read thorough comments.

By: Meredith

Meredith — Sun, 09 May 2010 06:52:54 +0000

I realize I come late after much of the heated debate is over, but I to linked here off foodgawker as well [going backwards through time!]. I want to thank you for the exhaustive work done on this post, it says a lot in the little details more than in the big ones. I think the most telling points were not even the flavors of the dishes, but the unspreadable butter and the missing napkin. I’ve eaten at places that were a fraction of the price that would not be caught dead serving their patrons butter that was chilled past the point absolutely necessary to keep it prettily molded for the table.
It reminds us that sometimes things aren’t what they seem, just because The Guide or The Reviewer says so, and it synchs neatly with some of what happened in a book a recently read by Ruth Reichl [not to plug it]. It’s sort of an eye opener, but it’s made me very careful about which places I go to splurge. If I can, especially, I ask the locals first, so far I have yet to be dissapponted.

Anyone that disagrees with the way you wrote the review seems to misunderstand the meaning of three Michelin stars. “Exceptional cuisine and worth the journey.” If you aren’t completely floored, they did something wrong. These are not people that lack experience with luxury, their opinion should be reliable.

The salts are too cute, though! I want the dish in the foreground.

By: jessica

jessica — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:00:59 +0000

Willie, sorry you had a disappointing experience as well. It is hard to swallow when you spend that much money and do so much planning around it. I agree with one of your other commenters. Your letter was so nice. I hope Chef writes back to you.

By: Willie

Willie — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:45:20 +0000

So, so true – check out this letter I wrote after my equally disappointing experience at ‘TFL’ http://yallkiltit.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/french-laundry-follow-up-letter-to-chef-keller/

By: lisa

lisa — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:57:50 +0000

I would never spend that much money on dinner. Sorry.

By: jessica

jessica — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:12:36 +0000

Eleven Madison is def on my list. I was there years ago but the chef has changed since so I need to go back.

By: Serene

Serene — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 06:18:15 +0000

Hi Jess,

The wonderful lunch I had was at Eleven at Madison. I highly recommend it!!!

Go for lunch and order the beef. You won’t regret it!

By: jessica

jessica — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 15:32:18 +0000

Serene, each time I hear that someone else had a bad experience, I just feel horrible because I know we all spent so much money on it and it is often a special occasion. Where did you have the wonderful lunch?

By: Serene

Serene — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 03:13:23 +0000

Hi Jess,

I’ve a similar disappointing experience at Per Se, NYC in November 09. While I didn’t guard the reservation with my life, I was celebrating my partner’s birthday dinner at Per Se.

I’ve no complaints about the service but the food was a let-down.
A small example will be that our breads were served below room temp.

I was almost thankful that I brought my partner to a wonderful lunch earlier on.

By: jessica

jessica — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:20:25 +0000

Thanks Will. I will always love hearing when people enjoy reading. =) I am very torn about the flash thing. I don’t want to effect the experience of other diners so I generally don’t use it but I do agree, that when all these restaurants are so poorly lit (to the point where most can barely read the menu), it’s practically begging us to use flash or bring a lamp with you.

Not that I really give much credit to Zagat but FL dropped in the recent one too. =(