How To Get A Reservation At French Laundry

Napa Valley may be renowned for its wines, but forth with those magical rolling hills of vineyards also come up some of the country'southward best dining experiences. With a vibrant culinary civilisation fabricated even more delicious by California's easy admission to fresh produce (some restaurants even have their ain vegetable gardens), you have plenty of tasty options to choose from for a repast in Napa Valley.

1 of the ways travelers accept been measuring regional eatery quality is by checking the Michelin Guide. The French tire company's guidebooks, originally published to encourage motorists to travel, take been awarding stars for restaurants since 1926. One star means "high-quality cooking worth a stop." Two stars means "excellent food worth a detour." 3 stars, its highest rating, means "infrequent cuisine worth a special journey." More recently, it has added other nonstar designations such every bit the Bib Gourmand (recognizing skillful food at moderate prices) and L'assiette, or "plate" (offering skilful food). Napa Valley is home to two three-starred and four 1-starred restaurants, also equally 26 establishments otherwise recognized with a Bib or 50'assiette (fun fact: the unabridged country of England simply has three iii-starred restaurants).

For travelers going to the Napa Valley, your options are exceptional, but getting a tabular array tin can take some strategizing. Hither's how to make reservations at all 6 of Napa Valley's Michelin-starred restaurants.

open-uri20190704-28577-1hpld66 — The kaiseki menu at Kenzo showcases traditional Japanese culinary techniques.

How to Brand a Reservation at Kenzoi Michelin star

What's the deal? Though Kenzo is a relative newcomer, having opened in 2016, owners Kenzo and Natsuko Tsujimoto are experienced restaurateurs, with multiple restaurants and tasting rooms in their native Nihon. Better however, to open the eatery they brought on chef Hiroyuki Kanda, whose Tokyo restaurant Kanda has been a three-starred Michelin eating place for 12 years; Kenji Miyaishi is the current head chef. The traditional Japanese kaiseki dinner service at Kenzo highlights seasonal ingredients flown in daily from Japan and the menu changes about six times a year; guests can have sake and wine pairings, too (including pours from Napa-based Kenzo Estate wines, besides owned past the Tsujimotos).

How exercise I make a reservation? The multicourse prix fixe dinner is served Tuesday through Sun after 6 p.m. Reservations open upwards two months out; to book, telephone call the eating house at 707-294-2049, send an electronic mail to reservations@kenzonapa.com, or reserve online with OpenTable.

Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays are the easiest days to country a table, and, in general, try to book two weeks in accelerate for weekday tables and four weeks in advance for weekend tables.

Anything else to consider? There are iii different seating arrangement options at Kenzo, all with different vantage points. The 10-seat counter allows diners to lookout the chef prepare the dishes, while the quintet of tables for 2 offers full table service with a fleck more intimacy. For the most individual option (or if y'all're dining with a group), there's a seven-seat counter in a smaller room where you'll have your own sushi chef.

Kenzo does not have a deposit for reservations, but your credit card information is required in the event of a cancellation occurring within 24 hours of your reservation, at which indicate a fee of $187.50 (plus tax) per guest will be practical for parties of upward to 4 people. If you have a party of five or more, a 72-60 minutes detect cancellation is required.

Kenzo ; 1339 Pearl St., Napa; 707-294-2049

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How to Make a Reservation at La Toque1 Michelin star

What's the bargain? La Toque, helmed by chef Ken Frank, is a French- and American-inspired fine dining institution in the metropolis of Napa. The eatery is specially known for its almanac January all-truffle menus and exceptional attending to vino. Guests can choose from three nightly menus: the ix-course Chef's Table Menu; the five-course Vegetable Tasting Menu; or the Core Menu, which allows you to create your own 4- or v-class bill of fare.

How do I brand a reservation? In that location are two means to reserve your tabular array at La Toque. The starting time is by using an online organisation chosen Tock, which requires you to build a profile to consummate an online reservation. You can besides call its reservationist after 2 p.m. daily at 707-257-5157. A $40 deposit per person is required when booking, which is applied toward your beak at the stop of the repast. The deposit is nonrefundable if you cancel within 72 hours of your reservation time. La Toque's website also has a robust reservations FAQ.

According to Ken Frank, executive chef and owner of La Toque, it's ever all-time to make reservations every bit soon as you know your travel plans in order to secure a table for your preferred time and engagement. Otherwise, a couple of weeks in advance is typically fine. Weekday reservations are fifty-fifty easier, usually just requiring a four- or five-mean solar day lead time.

Anything else to consider? Popular tables are number 4 (a corner booth for two people) and tables vii–10, which are close to the kitchen. But chef Frank's favorite tabular array is number 5—information technology's U-shaped and has an excellent view of the dining room.

Walk-ins are accustomed (you never know when there will be a concluding-minute cancellation), simply don't rely on those if y'all definitely want to dine there.

La Toque ; 1314 McKinstry St., Napa; 707-257-5157

open-uri20190705-14050-1hbzjj8 — The Michelin Guide gives one star to the food at Auberge; we requite its view all three.

How to Make a Reservation at the Eatery at Auberge du Soleil1 Michelin star

What'south the deal? The view at Auberge du Soleil resort's eating house is and then good that people would eat there even if the nutrient were mediocre. Happily, information technology'due south not. Since 1981, Auberge has been wowing diners with its classy new American fare and jaw-dropping vistas overlooking vino land. The restaurant offers breakfast, tiffin, and dinner, likewise as weekend brunch. Meals are à la carte or diners tin attempt a six-course tasting menu.

How practise I make a reservation? Reservations are available online at OpenTable or by calling 800-348-5406. The books open the first of each calendar month for reservations starting two months afterwards. So on July 1, the restaurant will begin taking reservations for September. As with the other restaurants here, call equally presently equally y'all know what your plans are to secure a table at your preferred fourth dimension and appointment.

Anything else to consider? The restaurant does take walk-ins. Likewise, the more casual bistro, which has the same incredible view, is first-come up, starting time-serve, so if yous tin't get a reservation at the main restaurant, head to the chophouse instead.

Seating-wise, ask for a table on the deck; even if it's a picayune chilly, heat lamps will keep you comfortable. Or, if you really prefer to stay inside, Sharon Wyatt, director of guest services, suggests a seat past the fireplaces or near a window. "There isn't a table that has a bad view, though," she says.

The Restaurant at Auberge du Soleil ; 180 Rutherford Hill Rd., Rutherford; 800-348-5406

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How to Brand a Reservation at Bouchonane Michelin star

What's the bargain? In 1998, four years afterward Thomas Keller opened The French Laundry (see beneath), he established the more casual bistro Bouchon, which serves upwards seasonal and homey French dishes such as roast chicken and steak frites, as well as a raw bar and late-night bites. Bouchon is open daily for lunch and dinner, along with brunch on weekends.

How do I make a reservation? Bouchon takes reservations upwards to 2 months out from the calendar date. You tin can book online at OpenTable, or call 707-944-8037 to speak with the reservationist. As with the residuum of the pack, weekends fill more apace and information technology recommends reserving as soon equally possible.

Anything else to consider? While you lot're there, stop next door for some takeaway treats at Bouchon Bakery. Originally conceived to source exceptional breadstuff for The French Laundry and Bouchon, it has taken on a life of its ain, with other locations now in New York Metropolis and Las Vegas.

Bouchon ; 6534 Washington St., Yountville; 707-944-8037

open-uri20190704-9668-ianb0l — Chefs work in the kitchen of The French Laundry in Yountville.

How to Make a Reservation at The French Laundry3 Michelin stars

What's the deal? Thomas Keller'southward legendary French Laundry put Yountville—and Napa Valley—on the culinary map when it opened in 1994. The fine dining restaurant, located in an unassuming building on Washington Street, specializes in French cuisine, and information technology serves a ix-course Chef's Tasting Menu and Vegetarian Tasting Card daily for dinner; lunch is bachelor on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Non but has it earned a three-star rating from the Michelin Guide since 2007 (when the Bay Expanse was added to the guide listings) just it also earned the top spot on the World's l Best Restaurants list in both 2003 and 2004.

How practise I make a reservation? Given its stature in the culinary world, reservations at The French Laundry can be hard to become, but they are past no means impossible to country. The eating house just accepts reservations on Tock. On the get-go day of every odd-numbered calendar month, reservations are released at 10 a.m. PST for seatings two months in advance. So, July ane means it is accepting reservations for September and October. Reservations fill quickly, so the cardinal is to be equally ready as possible when the portal opens. The more flexible you are with seating times and dates, the better your chances of finding a tabular array.

When you make a reservation, yous also prepay for your repast (starting at $325 per person). Yous cannot abolish a reservation just you may transfer information technology. For reminders virtually the reservation release times, follow @_tfl_ on Instagram. The French Laundry does not accept walk-ins.

Anything else to consider? This year, TFL is celebrating its 25th anniversary, then in that location's an additional carte option inspired past the classic dishes of its founding year ($525/person for parties of two or more than). If y'all take a group betwixt six and 14 people, check Tock beforehand to familiarize yourself with the larger party dining options (board room, individual dining room, or courtyard) so that y'all'll be gear up to reserve when the fourth dimension comes.

Another note nearly seating: There is an upstairs and downstairs for the main dining room. If you'd adopt to sit on one floor or the other (especially if there are accessibility considerations), exist certain to make a note of information technology when filling out the class in Tock. Otherwise, where you lot sit in the eatery doesn't really matter—y'all're non going there for the view of downtown Yountville anyway.

The French Laundry ; 6640 Washington St., Yountville; 707-944-2380

open-uri20190708-27715-1c6e80q — The Restaurant at Meadowood sources many ingredients from its nearby garden.

How to Make a Reservation at The Restaurant at Meadowoodthree Michelin stars

What'due south the deal? The Restaurant at Meadowood resort has kept its three-star status for the past ix years under the leadership of chef Christopher Kostow, who nevertheless helms the ship. Fare is modernistic American, and many ingredients come fresh from the garden it shares with Kostow'due south more recently opened eatery, The Lease Oak. At the restaurant, open up for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, diners tin can select between two carte options, including the tasting menu in the dining room and a "Chef'south Kitchen Counter Menu" with seating in the kitchen to catch all the culinary action.

How practice I make a reservation? You can make reservations upwardly to three months in accelerate on Tock. The competition to get a table here is less intense than at The French Laundry, but note that weekends practice sell out more quickly than weekdays. Booking 3 to four weeks in advance should be enough time to get a decent reservation, although also exist aware of holidays.

If yous demand a reminder for reservations releases (and enough of mouth-watering images of the garden produce), communications manager Marie Masyczek suggests post-obit the restaurant's Instagram account at @therestaurantmw for updates.

Anything else to consider? Although walk-ins can't exist accommodated at the Eating place, they are welcome for drinks at The Bar, Rotunda, and (atmospheric condition permitting) on The Terrace. And if yous desire to get a gustatory modality of Kostow'south cuisine for a lower price, you can also brand reservations through Tock for a 3-course menu at the bar, or for Fireside Snacks, a fix carte of pocket-size bites meant for fireside relaxation in the Bar and Rotunda.

The Eating house at Meadowood ; 900 Meadowood Lane, St. Helena; 707-967-1205

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Full general Tips for Making Reservations

While these are all applicative for Napa Valley, they're also proficient tips to continue in listen when making fine dining reservations in general.

Book as soon as your plans firm upwardly

Sharon Wyatt of Auberge du Soleil strongly encourages travelers to brand their plans as soon as they know they're coming: "Remember, with almost any restaurant yous tin can e'er call and cancel if it'southward non going to work out, but ever err on the side of caution and have reservations." Prioritize making reservations for the near exclusive places and go from in that location.

Take note of holidays and high season

Chef Frank of La Toque suggests diners always brand a reservation for holidays. "We sell tickets for New Year's Eve a couple months in advance, and two-thirds of those tin can go up in a day or and so," Frank says. Valentine'south Solar day is some other big 1 for restaurants.

Another thing to consider is tourist flavor. In Napa Valley, Baronial, September, and October are harvest months so those are prime fourth dimension for travelers; consider booking instead during the jump months (you'll go to run into the blooming mustard flowers amid the vines) or even winter (trust usa, the wine tastes but as skilful).

Ask your hotel concierge for assist

Wyatt reminds travelers to employ the expertise and connections of their hotel concierge: "Once y'all book your hotel and airfare, outset thinking about where you want to eat, fifty-fifty if you're only talking to the concierge and getting ideas."

Check your credit menu for concierge options, as well

Some credit cards include concierge services that aid cardholders with things like travel planning. For example, diners have had success using their American Express Platinum Concierge to get French Laundry reservations. Cheque your credit card options to see if yours may be able to assist you snag that tabular array.

Make a Tock business relationship in advance

High-finish restaurants are increasingly using Tock for their reservation organisation. If you lot make your profile for Tock before y'all have to make bodily reservations, you'll save valuable fourth dimension when booking opens for places like The French Laundry—when a minute might make a difference.

Flexibility is central

The most important part of getting a reservation you want is to be flexible. The more than dates and times you are open to, the more likely information technology is that you'll exist able to secure your ultimate dining experience. That might mean eating at five:30 p.thou. on a Tuesday or visiting a destination in the off-season—minor sacrifices to make for once-in-a-lifetime meals.

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