Licking My Wounds...

Wow, had an absolutely BRUTAL night at poker last night... In Tourney 1, lost two straight hands in which I was a 93% favorite (other person had three outs out of 44 remaining cards). Then did my magical running-into-pocket-Aces-with-pocket-Jacks trick, always a fun -- and abrupt -- ride. So in serious licking-the-wounds mode this morning, and hence am daydreaming about a special upcoming dinner at the French Laundry in Yountville. Apparently French Laundry wonder chef Tom Keller is hooking up with a friend to each produce 10 alternating courses, or a 20-course meal in all. Wow, wouldn't that be something!

You want details? Sure? The dinner will take place December 9th at the French Laundry. For reservations, call 312-867-0110.

Oh, yeah: this little baby will only set you back $1,500 per person (though wine, tax, and tip are included).

A boy can dream, yes?

French Laundry Reservations

As I'm sure (!) you FROTBs (frequent readers of this blog) know, it's EXTREMELY difficult, if not impossible, to get reservations to that famed, one-of-a-kind Napa Valley restaurant The French Laundry, owned by world-renowned chef Thomas Keller. However, not only has Every Meal A Feast learned the "insider's secret" on how to obtain reservations, we'll happily book a reservation for you (for a small fee, of course).

Here's the scoop. Simply contact EMAF and provide the date you'd like to dine at The French Laundry (note, you must contact me AT LEAST two-and-a-half MONTHS before the date) and your credit card information, and we'll do our best to secure your reservation. Our fee to do this: $149, payable by check in advance. (If we can't book the reservation for whatever reason, you owe EMAF nothing--we'll tear up the check.) The reservation will be in your name, under your credit card, and you will be subject to all cancellation and other fees.

Want more info? Sure.... The French Laundry is open every night for dinner and for lunch on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Each nine-course tasting menu (yes, I said NINE courses) costs $240 per person, plus wine, tax, and tip. Men are required to wear jackets at both lunch and dinner, and jeans and tennis shoes are not permitted. The restaurant itself is located in a former French steam laundry, circa 1890, in the town of Yountville, in the Napa Valley.

Want to dine at the one of the most famous and praised-by-food-critics-worldwide restaurants in the world? Need help securing a reservation? (You have virtually no chance via phone--go on, try it.) If so, then contact me: bignightfan@gmail.com. We know the Napa Valley! Ciao!

Tom Keller and me

While strolling about downtown Yountville yesterday, I wandered past 6640 Washington Street--site of The French Laundry restaurant. Have you heard of it?

JUST KIDDING. Thomas Keller's The French Laundry, of course, is one of the most celebrated and respected restaurants in the Napa Valley, if not California, if not the U.S.---and yes, if not the world. The waiting list for reservations is 2+ months; prix fix $240 per person, plus wine and tip. While I've never eaten there, I WILL one day...and just to be in the moment, and help make-real my goal, I wandered a few doors down to his Bouchon Bakery. Ah, what sights! What smells! What temptations! When exposed to a multitude of treasures such as this, I usually do one of two things: pick the wildest, most unusual item to sample, or simply go old-school, and pick a classic. In this case, I went classic: a light, flakey, buttery pain chocolate. In a word: delicious. It takes a creative and imaginative mind to make unique and outstanding food or wine. It also takes a true soul to make the simple things, well, perfectly. And there yesterday in Yountville, in the shadow of The French Laundy, I had what may well be a perfect pain chocolate.

P.S. I know, I know: I'm teasing you regarding the Nord dinner, and Robert Parker's attendance. (See my posts "...and nervous" and "The Greatest Sentence Ever".) The tale will be told shortly, I promise. In the meantime, isn't the anticipation...delicious???? www.frenchlaundry.com