Restaurant: The French Laundry

The French Laundry

Chef's Tasting Menu

May 14, 2016

Amuse Bouche:
Salmon Tartare and Creme Fraiche "Cone"

Amuse Bouche:
Gougeres

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"Oysters and Pearls"
"Sabayon" of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters
and White Sturgeon Caviar

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Sacramento Delta Asparagus Salad
Hard Boiled Bantam Hen Egg, Green Tomato Relish, Garden Lettuces
and Brokaw Avocado Mousse

OR

Hudson Valley Moulard Duck Foie Gras "Terrine"
"Mara de Bois" Strawberries, Marcona Almonds, Nasturtium Leaves
and Riesling "Gelee"
served with 6 different salts
(supplement)

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"Clam Chowder"
Stonington Maine Halibut, Manila Clams, La Ratte Potato Confit, 
Celery Branch Salad and "Chowder" Sauce

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Alaskan King Crab "Poelee"
Cracked Rice and White Corn "Porridge," Chanterelle Mushrooms,
Wilted Ramps and Daylilies

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Cornbread Stuffed Griggstown Farm Pheasant
Garden Blackberries, Roasted Ruby Beets, Shiso Britton
and Foie Gras "Mignonette"

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Herb Roasted Elysian Fields Farm Lamb
Crispy Chickpea "Panisse," Cerignola Olives, Garden Basil
and Spiced Tomato Conserva

OR

100 Day Dry Aged Beef "Tournedo"
Bone Barrow "Panade," Braised Brisket Stuffed Morel Mushrooms,
Garden Snow Peas and "Sauce Bordelaise"
(supplement)

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Nettle Meadow Farm "Kunik"
Devin Knell's 3 Year Aged Mangalitsa Ham, Wild Oregon Cepes
and Pearson Farm Pecans

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Assortment of Desserts

Descriptions below are in our words. . . 

Macarons, Cocoa Macadamia Nuts, Coffee Semifreddo with
Warm Donut Holes, Dark and Milk Chocolate Logs

Cherry Dr Pepper Gel/Pastry in a Boat
and Layered Take on a Petit Four

Floral Meringues filled with Yuzu Cream

Chocolate Truffles
(flavors included S'mores, PB&J, Korean Gochujang, Salted Caramel, etc.)

Wines Enjoyed:

• Krug, "Grand Cuvee," Reims
• Carl von Schubert, Riesling, "Maximin Grunhauser Herrenberg," Kabinett, Mosel
• A Chateauneuf-du-Pape 

A Few Notes, Memories and Impressions. . .

• Overall, the experience was good but didn't blow our socks off.
• Food was more traditional and less inventive than we expected.
• Nice touch that they printed Happy Anniversary with our names at the top of the menu!
• Think we would have enjoyed sitting upstairs where it was brighter and livelier.  Downstairs, it was very austere especially before the dining room filled up.  It was so quiet at the beginning of our meal.
• Surprised that there wasn't a wine pairing for the tasting. 
• The dessert course completely wow'd us.