Though I don’t keep it written down anywhere, I most certainly have a list of experiences that I want to have before I kick it. It changes often, and expands at least four times as as fast as I manage to check things off the list.
There are a few restaurants on that list: El Bulli has long been on it, but with news of its impending closing, it has become unlikely I’ll make it in time. The Inn at Little Washington has been on it since I was in high school, but I haven’t made it yet. Alinea & The Fat Duck, also members of this set of places I want to dine.
But last week, thanks to friends who secured one of the toughest reservations in the country, I got to check The French Laundry off the list. The reservation itself was for 9:15 p.m. on a Thursday night – April Fool’s Day, in fact, which meant that when they invited me to join them, I first accused them of playing a trick on me – which meant I was going to have to take part of the next day off to even be functional (dinner wrapped at 1 a.m. after a dozen-plus courses). I’ve been focused on saving money, not spending it, which is impossible at a place where the prix fixe menu is $250 (service included), and then wine and tax get added atop that.
For a moment, on the phone with Jenny, my college roommate, a week ahead of time, I lamented what I knew would be a severely spendy evening. “Don’t even think about it,” she said. “This is what you love. Go. Spend the money. Enjoy every minute of it.”
I did just that. And I’m not going to try to put more words to the experience, which, from start to finish, was so gracious, so lovely, so indulgent and yet just a touch restrained, that it was, indeed, worth every penny I spent. Instead, I share with you a slideshow of images from the night, which featured dish after dish beautifully plated, deliciously composed, and stunningly served.
on Apr 5th, 2010 at 7:07 am
How beautiful! What an amazing evening you must have had. Good for you for crossing another one off the list…we only live once. ;)
on Apr 5th, 2010 at 8:33 am
So jealous! I would love to eat there.
on Apr 5th, 2010 at 2:03 pm
It looks amazing. Beautiful plating.
on Apr 5th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Nancy, yes — and I think it’s important to grab those great experiences when they present themselves. :-)
Kalyn, you must do it at some point. Absolutely must.
Barbara, yes — the plating was spectacular. Each plate was so precise!
on Apr 5th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
I am not a gardener. I have a man for that. Well, he is a man, and he does do the gardening, but he only comes three times a year. I favor understated foundation plantings. I have a deck with pots that look pretty good in the summer, but one year chipmunks formed a colony in all my nice Smith and Hawken pots.
I am a blogger, and I would love it if you would visit and give me some advice. I want to go big or go home, but I am 60, have bad knees, and my husband plays the accordion, so my dreams may be a bit farflung. Any advice you could impart would be so appreciated. I can be found hanging around http://mollyc-lifewiththecampbells.blogspot.com mostly in my pjs with coffee.
on Apr 6th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Oh how I covet that experience!
on Apr 7th, 2010 at 9:17 am
El Bulli and the Fat Duck are on my list too, as is Urusawa! Dang, I believed him when he called it a 2-year hiatus.
The dinner photos looks amazing! Glad you got to go!
on Apr 7th, 2010 at 10:25 am
Molly, I’ll definitely check out your blog — thanks for visiting!
Heather, it was ridiculous. :-)
Pilar, I hadn’t heard of Urasawa…and now I want to go! Must add that to the list…
on Apr 7th, 2010 at 11:09 am
In case you haven’t stumbled across Kevin Eats yet – I want his food life – you should check his blog out. http://kevineats.com/
Kevin has of reviews of many good restaurants and it’s hard to find just one. He has 5 reviews for urasawa and you’ll see them under the California-south heading. Right hand side of the list, 2nd from the bottom line.
Enjoy,
Pilar