Napa Anniversary Dinner - French Laundry not available

[maureen_md]

Well, I set a to-do in my calendar months ago to assure my husband and I could get a table at French Laundry for our anniversary on May 31st...
Due to some ridiculous and unexplainable error with Opentable.com, they are now booked and we are without reservations for our anniversary dinner.
I've booked Martini House, Mustard's and Bouchon for other nights during the week we are there. We would prefer the location be (a) close to the Villagio and (b) romantic with FANTASTIC food. Thanks in advance for your help. I'm really bummed about missing F.L.!

[whiner]

La Toque. Not as good as FL, but great restaurant nonetheless. Romantic, too.

[Carrie 218]

Search around on reviews of La Toque... definitely slipping with very mediocre reviews as of late. For special occasion, I would consider Domain Chandon or Terra. Hurleys, Bouchon, and Mustards are all okay but definitely NOT special occasion dining.

[maria lorraine]

Agree with Carrie. Terra is remarkable,

[whiner]

I wasn't aware La Toque was slipping. That is sad.

[Carrie 218]

I have eaten at La Toque four times; one time it was revolutionary, once it was good, and twice it was beyond horrendous (over-salted, greasy fried soft-shell crab, grizzle through a duck breast, poor quality meat, out-of-season vegetables) Ken Frank was in the kitchen all four times.

[maria lorraine]

Thanks for that news. I hate hearing of Le Toque's unevenness because that dining room is one of my very favorites -- smallish, romantic and lovely. I have had wonderful meals there (both times with well-known bon vivants so that may have made a difference in the attention Ken Frank gave to our meal) and yet I have heard other reports, like yours, of old fish (really, there is no excuse for that) and other oddities. Dang. Ken Frank has the ability to produce a top-flight meal (truly, one of my meals rivaled the French Laundry's), but he's not consistently doing so. I wonder what's going on.

[Cindy]

What dates will you be in Napa Valley?

[maria lorraine]

Sorry to hear about the mix-up with the FL reservation. I would also, as another has suggested, get on their waiting list. The other thing is that FL should know what
happened with Opentable. Perhaps a note to them explaining the situation and the
desire to be waitlisted is in order. Fingers crossed this will make a difference.

Ruth's suggestion of Le Toque is good. I'd also recommend Martini House, of which you are already aware, as an option for your anniversary evening. The others -- Bistro Jeanty, Redd, and especially Hurley's -- do not rise to "anniversary dinner" status. If your mindset was on FL, I think you will be especially disappointed.

[cortez]

I would try the concierge at Villagio and explain your dilemma. Often times, hotel concierges have more pull than you might imagine. At a minimum, they could sign you up for a cancellation list should FL have short term openings.

Failing that, I would go with Redd. It's more elegant than Bistro Jeanty, infinitely better than Hurley's.

Bouchon and Mustards are great for your non-FL meals. I like them better at lunch when the pressure is less and the atmsophere and service are superior.

Have fun!

[Alice Q]

I think Opentable has only a couple of reservations available per day - at odd seating times. You should definitely call asap and get on their waiting list. You may be able to get in yet, I'd give it a better than 50% chance. If you are going on a weekend, you might also consider lunch. It gives you more time to digest those umpteen courses!

As a backup, you might consider Redd or Bistro Jeanty - I have heard good things about both, or Ad Hoc, though it is very casual and pretty expensive.

[eatemup]

Bistro Jeanty is across the street from Villagio and is one of the best places in the valley. More rustic French, but outstanding. The restaurant at Domain Chandon is romantic and was very good when Jeanty was the chef there. I have not been for some time. Thomas Keller's food is also available in Yountville at Ad Hoc. Again, more casual but outstanding. One fixed price meal each night. I'd stay in Yountville but I'd avoid Hurley's.

[Ruth Lafler]

I wouldn't consider Bistro Jeanty a place for a very special occasion. You might want to check out La Toque, which I think might be more "romantic" than most other places. Some people have raved about the food, others less so.

[leanneabe]

In a weird coincidence, I saw your post and then saw an article on Wall Street Journal about hard-to-get reservations. It mentioned this site, specifically for French Laundry:
http://www.thesandersens.com/res/fren...

[kai27]

Have you tried Hurley's or Redd's?? Both are very good.

[Porthos]

Second, third, or fourth Redd. The tasting (5 or 9 course) with wine pairing is reasonable for what you get.

[brekkie_fan]

and that's how we got our reservation for this weekend!