The French Laundry

6640 Washington St.

Yountville, CA 94599

Tel. +1 (707) 944-2380

Wine:

MV      Krug Grande Cuvée  91

2010    Domaine Weinbach Pinot Gris Cuvée Ste. Catherine  89

1973    D’Oliveira Verdelho Riserva  93                   

2010    Billaud-Simon Chablis Montée de Tonnerre – 1er Cru  94

2009    Domaine des Comtes Lafon Volnay Santenots – 1er Cru  96

Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. The winter has passed, fresh vegetables are growing in the garden and the longer days seem to bring with them a certain sense of optimism. This recent lunch at The French Laundry captured so many of those elements. Course after course of gorgeous, beautifully prepared and presented dishes graced our table for the four-plus hours we spent in the dining room. Chef/Owner Thomas Keller and his staff were on their game.

I wouldn't even know where to start with this dazzling menu. Highlights? There were many. The “Oysters and Pearls”, a signature dish, was flat-out great. Oysters, caviar and Champagne. What’s not to like? The hen egg custard, served out of an eggshell with a ragoût of Périgord truffles, was to die for. What a fabulous combination of flavors and textures.