Have dinner at The French Laundry

I was telling a friend of my French Laundry dream and he told me about the same experience when he wanted to eat at Babbo’s in NYC. They were completely booked but the host said that if there is a space at the bar, he is welcome to eat there. He was lucky when he walked into Babbo’s, two seats became available at the bar.

I called the French Laundry and asked if this would be an option for me. The receptionist said that they do not have a bar to eat at. She confirmed my standing on the waiting list and told me she will call me back once a reservation is cancelled. She also recommended, Thomas Keller’s sister restaurants, Ad Hoc and Bouchons. I thanked her but in my mind I thought, well it’s still not the French Laundry.

I called and confirmed that they are completely booked for Fri. June 14, 2013. I am now on the waiting list for a party of 4 either for lunch or dinner. She wouldn’t tell me how many parties on the waiting list that are ahead of me. If this doesn’t pan out, I may have to dumpster dive for scraps.

The list is just out. The French Laundry is 47th on the World’s 50 Best restaurant list.

I went on their website and attempted an online reservation for Fri, June 14. They were already completely booked. I called to be on their waiting list and no one answered. Confoundit.

We plan on being in Northern California around that time to attend my nephew’s gradation at Stanford University.

I tried to get into the French Laundry and they told me that they were booked solid for at least 3 months. They directed me to their sister property, Bouchons – which was just ok for me. I’m still dreaming of having dinner there and ordering from their vegetable tasting menu – gosh I may regress and eat meat for that night. It would be great to book a reservation during harvest season. It would also be great if Woody Allen was dining at the table next to us.