The French Laundry launches lavish US$850 dining experience

Chef Thomas Keller’s three Michelin-starred Napa restaurant The French Laundry has launched a lavish $850 per person private dining experience.

The dining experience includes Keller’s signature dish, ‘oysters and pearls’

As reported by Wine Spectator, having resumed indoor dining at the venue this month, Keller is offering guests the chance to book a single table for up to eight guests in one of the Yountville restaurant’s three private dining rooms.

Allowing guests to dine in a safe environment, the experience includes an extended version of Keller’s signature eight-course tasting menu.

As part of the package, offered to parties of two to eight people, diners will be treated to decadent treats, including canapés, truffles, caviar and Wagyu beef.

Dishes on the current tasting menu include Keller’s signature ‘oysters and pearls’ dish with Regiis Ova caviar; wild king salmon terrine with hen egg mousse; butter poached Nova Scotia lobster in a spicy tomato broth; and Liberty Farms duck with fresh corn grits a sour cherry ‘barbecue’ sauce.

The offering also includes a bottle of Dom Pérignon 2006, with guests at liberty to order from the restaurant’s extensive wine list, which stretches to 2,700 bins.

Overseen by wine director Erik Johnson, the wine list includes fine and rare labels from California, Burgundy, Piedmont, Bordeaux and the Rhône.

“We did this because we have been hearing from many guests who are looking for extra-special ways to celebrate milestones. The limitations in space offer a great sense of privacy,” the restaurant’s general manager, Michael Minnillo, told Wine Spectator.

The California venue, which has held the highest accolade of three Michelin stars since 2007, continues to offer its standard tasting menu for $350 per person, exclusively for outdoor dining.