The French Laundry: PJ’s 35th Birthday Adventure

For years I dreamed of going to The French Laundry (touted as the “Best Restaurant in the World”) for my 35th birthday. I shared my dream with my friend, Lee Richter, and she scored us the private dining room! It was so amazing to celebrate what feels like a whole new stage of my life in this way.

In the photo above is my friend of 20 years, Evan Bartlett, who graciously agreed to pose with me by The French Laundry sign.

 

When you arrive, your napkin is tucked into this cute clothespin that says “The French Laundry” on it. You get to keep it as long as you remember to put it in your bag right away. Otherwise, it might get cleared away.

 

Champagne toast!

My dad & sister.

My sister and her fiance got all dolled up Steampunk style for the event.

All three of my wonderful siblings in one photo! So cute!

Our first morsel, Gruyere Gougeres with a gooey cheese center and light pastry exterior.

Salmon Tartare Cornets with Sweet Red Onion Creme Fraiche inside. Apparently, Thomas Keller got the idea for these cornets at a Baskin-Robbins.

 

Chilled pear soup. This was really delightful to sip along with the champagne.

Mother of Pearl caviar spoon for the next dish…

One of The French Laundry’s most famous dishes, “Oysters & Pearls” – “Sabayon” of Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters and White Sturgeon Caviar

Super special custard inside an eggshell. I don’t know the fancy official name & description because it wasn’t on the menu – it was an extra surprise.

With the bread, we got two types of butter, super fancy ($150 per bottle) olive oil and 6 different kinds of salt.

Sampler platter of 3 different salts.

Sampler of 6 different salts.

Moulard Duck “Foie Gras Au Torchon” – French Laundry garden strawberries, Gros Michel banana, celery, walnuts and white honey. This was served with delicious hot brioche.

Gulf Coast Red Snapper – Globe Artichokes, Toybox Tomatoes (YUM!), Picholine Olives, and Spicy Saffron Broth

Sweet Butter-Poached Maine Lobster – Bone Marrow, Lobster Mushrooms, Nantes Carrots, Petite Onions and Tarragon

Lee and I, sporting our lovely birthday tiaras.

Justin, Evan & I

In the kitchen at The French Laundry. Yay!

Here I am in my birthday tiara in the kitchen of The French Laundry. So cool!

After our photo taking break and kitchen tour, we continued with our 5 hour dining experience, and came back to what might have been my favorite course. It was like SUPER-BACON. The official name: Salmon Creek Farm Pork Belly – Tokyo Turnips, Montana Huckleberries, Watercress and Balsamic

One of my favorite dishes of the day: Snake River Farms “Calotte De Boeuf Grillee” – Brentwood Corn, Black Eyed Peas, Wild Ramp Top “Subric,” Frisee and Bachelor Buttons

Camembert – Yellow Peaches, Fennel, Arugula, and Espelette

White Grapefruit Sorbet – Champagne “Gelee” and Vanilla-Grapefruit “Nuage”

They brought Lee and I cute little desserts to celebrate our birthdays. Yay!

Carmelized White Chocolate “Namelaka” – Piedmont Hazelnuts, Toasted Oats, and Black Mission Fig Sorbet

Bonus surprise dessert! Coffee Mousse and Donuts.

Another bonus surprise dessert! Assortment of yummy chocolates.

Cookies for the road with a cute French Laundry clothespin ribbon.

At the end, they brought me a signed menu. It’s hard to see in this picture, but I was so touched that I cried.

Our fabulous group: Lee, Thatcher, Dad (Robert), Josh, Evan, Andy, Justin, Jessica, PJ, and Annie.

Thank you for making my 35th birthday so special!