The French Laundry

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Finally made my way to French Laundry!  As the mecca of most foodies, I can't believe I've never eaten here (mostly due to a difficulty in getting reservations).  Now I can officially say I've eaten at all of the Thomas Keller establishments!   

As with Per Se, French Laundry starts off the tasting menu with Thomas Keller's ever so famous salmon cornets.  Smoked salmon with creme fraiche inside a crispy cone is the perfect way to start off the meal.  The only downside is they only give you one, so you must savor it!  One is never enough...

Another famous amuse bouche is the bite size Gougères, which is Gruyère cheese puff.  Again, they only give one per person, but its so delicious it will make you yearn for more.

Royal Ossetra Caviar (supplemental course) - buckwheat blini, Scottish Sea trout "tartare", flowering watercress, Kendall Farms Creme Fraiche and Hen Egg emulsion.  Loved the transition from the savory amuse bouche to this first course. 

"Oysters and Pearls" - "sabayon"of pearl tapioca with Island Creek Oysters and WHite Sturgeon Caviar.  As with most tasting menus, French Laundry changes its courses quite frequently.  Fun Fact - this is one of the dishes that is a constant on their tasting menu.  Luscious and luxurious is the only way to describe this course. 

Two butter options for the breads are provided.  This beehive shaped butter was the salted butter option.  Creamy and sinfully salty.

This was the unsalted butter option.  Surprisingly, I preferred this butter.  Even though it wasn't salted, I found the flavor to be richer and creamier.

Many people may put a lot of importance on the courses of tasting menus, but I find the bread selections to be just as important and exciting.  Brioche as always was delicious and fluffy.

"Carnaroli risotto biologico" (supplement) - "Castelmagno" Mousse, "Beurre Noisette"and Shaved White Truffles from AlbaIn all the excitement of eating at French Laundry, I had totally forgotten that it was truffle season.  Only did I realize this double bonus after reading the menu.  This definitely wasn't my first time having a white truffle risotto, but the combination is always heavenly.  Of course, the white truffle is shaved tableside.  I absolutely love the smell of white truffles. 

Salad of compressed Jacobsen Orchard Persimmons - Hearts of Peach Palm, "Bavarvis", Pearson Farms Pecans, and Black Winter Truffles "Coulis". 

Another bread session - pretzel bread and French bread.

Atlantic Cod "Confit a la Minute"- Applewood - Smoked Bacon, David Little Potatoes, Mustard Greens and Preserved Horseradish.  From this picture, the potato looks just like a potato chip, but its actually made up of thin slices of potatoes made into a rosette.

Alaskan King Crab "Piccata" - "Choucroute", Compressed Schmitt Farm Apples and Spanish Caper Cream.

Liberty Farm Pekin Duck - Garden broccoli, Globe Artichoke, Navel Orange Confit and "Sauce Bigarade".  The duck was wonderfully cooked with a thin layer of delicious fat and the skin was crisp and it did remind me a bit of Peking duck.

Charcoal - Grilled Japanese Wagyu (supplement)- Sesame Seed "Pain Perdu", Hearts of Romaine Lettuce, Cipollini Onions, San Marzano Tomato Compote and "Steak Sauce".  I didn't realize this until after eating all the components together, but it tasted like a deconstructed hamburger.

Herb Roasted Elysian Field Farm Lamb - Black Trumpet Mushrooms, Garden Sunchokes, Toasted Sunflower Seeds and "Ancholade".

Andante Dairy "Legato"- Garden Fennel Bulb, Green Grape Relish, Cilantro Shoots and Toasted Oat Granola.

Citrus jam topped with a black pepper cookie.

Salted caramel ice cream and graham cracker crumble.

Chocolate mousse cake.

Ginger cheesecake topped with white chocolate.

Salted caramel and brown sugar chocolates.

Graham cracker and marshmallow, peanut butter and jelly chocolates.

Red velvet and green tea macaroons.

Roasted Macadamia nuts with chocolate rolled in powdered sugar.

"coffee and doughnuts" - Espresso mousse with fluffy, sugar dusted donuts.

The parting gift was a tin box of shortbread cookies.  Shortbread cookies don't usually excite me, but these were buttery and delicious.

Address:                  The French Laundry
                                 6640 Washington St.
                                 Yountville, CA
 

Type:                        French/American

Popular chomps:      tasting menu

Chomp worthy:        tasting menu   

Bouchon Bistro

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Mmm.. you can never go wrong with a half dozen Kumamoto oysters.  Sweet, but slightly briny.

Moules.  Steamed mussels.  Fresh and delicious.

and frites!  Can't have moules without frites.  Bouchon probably has some of the best fries outside of McDonalds.  Thin, but crispy. 

As much as I love Thomas Keller, Bouchon has to be one of my least favorites.  While Bouchon bakery churns out some really great breads, Bouchon itself is very average.  If you MUST come here, I'd suggest going for brunch and/or getting the seafood platters.

Address:                           Bouchon Bistro
                                                 6534 Washington St.
                                                 Yountville, CA                                

Type:                                   French/casual/brunch

Popular chomps:     Croque Madame
                                     fries
                                                  fruits de mer

Chomp worthy:        fries        
     

Random facts:        Other locations include Beverly Hills and New York

Addendum

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For those of us who can't sneak out of work on Mondays to get a table at Ad Hoc to enjoy Thomas Keller's fried chicken, our prayers have finally been answered.  Addendum (located behind Ad Hoc) offers the famous fried chicken as well as the ribs Thursdays through Saturday for lunch. 

I almost prefer the picnic setting than the inside dining area to feast on the chicken while enjoying the gorgeous California sun. 

A meal comes with a 2 pieces of fried chicken, a piece of cornbread and two sides.  I was a little uneasy going into this. I wasn't trying to get my hopes up after my first encounter with Ad Hoc's Fried Chicken, especially with the to-go vibe.  How good could the to-go version be if the one I had in the restaurant was just "okay"?  (Check out my Ad Hoc's Fried Chicken experience HERE )  One word:  Redemption.  Perfectly crispy, not oily, super juicy fried chicken.  It was like I had FINALLY experienced the Keller Fried Chicken I had heard so much about.  I knew Thomas Keller would never fail me!   

A side of corn succotash.  From the picture it doesn't look like much, but it is SO good!  I should have ordered another side of this. 

Another simplistic dish - potato salad with small chunks of potato and some bits of celery.  Another winner.

Address:                         Addendum
                                               Behind Ad Hoc
                                               6476 Washington St.
                                               Yountville, CA

Type:                                 American/casual

Popular chomps:    Fried chicken/ribs

Chomp worthy:        Fried chicken

Random facts:        only open Thursday - Saturday 11a - 2p

Ad Hoc - Fried Chicken

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I was finally able to score seats at Ad Hoc to eat Thomas Keller's famous fried chicken (aka:  KFC - Keller Fried Chicken).  Ad Hoc alternates between fried chicken and ribs for their Monday dinners. 

As always, Ad Hoc can make the simplest salads taste incredible.  Today's salad was chopped romaine & Escarole Salad with marinated cucumbers, english peas, shaved radish, asparagus coins, and spring onion vinaigrette. 

Green garlic whipped potatoes.  Buttery goodness with a slight garlic taste.

Another side dish of garbanzo beans, sweet carrots, and pickled cabbage.  This dish was slightly tangy with some crunchy texture - a nice contrast to the potatoes.

I always get the extra supplement when I come to Ad Hoc.  Today's was a cured ham biscuit.  I was expecting the biscuit to be a more flakey and buttery, but it was surprisingly dry.

The moment I've only lived in my Ad Hoc dreams until now...the famous Thomas Keller Fried Chicken.  You can't tell from this picture, but the crust on this batch was slightly darker than the batches on the other tables.  I have a feeling that this batch was slightly overcooked.  The crust was really hard, but not in a crispy way - more in a burnt way.  The chicken inside was slightly moist, but the breast and thigh meat were dry and disappointing.  I still think I got a bad batch and refuse to believe that this was what Thomas Keller Fried Chicken is supposed to taste like.

Huckleberry jam and palladin toast. 

The menu lists this dessert as apple pie but its more of a deconstructed version.  Fuji apples mixed with almond ice cream.  A spoonful of apple, almond ice cream, and brittle makes it taste as if you were eating an apple pie. 

Address:                             Ad Hoc
     

Type:                                     American/casual

Popular chomps:         fried chicken

Random facts:            fried chicken is offered every other Monday

Ad Hoc - 7/4/10

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Another Ad Hoc post!  What can I say...it's my favorite restaurant.  This meal is actually my favorite meal I've had at Ad Hoc to date.  I'm obsessive about checking Ad Hoc's daily menu so when Lobster Rolls showed up I had to hurry up to Yountville an hour before opening to try to score a seat at the bar. 

damnation beer

mango soda

Frisee and Melon salad with yellow and red watermelon, sharlyn galia melon, d'avignon radish, feta cheese, black olives, and balsamic vinaigrette

Ad Hoc always takes salads to the next level.  This salad is no exception.  Summery and light, each bite was tasty and refreshing.

corn on the cob with red potatoes and cabbage cole slaw

Corn on the cob, potatoes, and cole slaw was the side of the night.  Yes there is a lot of butter in this dish, but its so delicious, it only enhances the fresh vegetables more.  I had to remind myself not to finish it so I could save room for the lobster rolls.

Maine lobster rolls on toasted bread, pickled onions, and shaved celery

Two sandwiches come with each portion.  More than enough for one sitting and one to take home for a late night snack.  These lobster rolls were lightly toasted (with more butter!) and stuffed with huge chunks of fresh lobster.  Only fainty mixed with mayo, you can actually taste the sweetness of the lobster.

Wisconsin Sheep dante with white nectarines and toasted marcona almonds

A light fruit and cheese dish to balance out the heaviness of the prior dishes.

bowl of buttermilk sorbet with fresh strawberries, and blueberries

red velvet cupcakes

Address:                                 Ad Hoc
                                                       6476 Washington St.
                                                       Yountville, CA

Type:                                         American
                                                       casual

Chomp worthy:                Everything!