Cybernet Expo: Five Reaons to Attend

[Toby]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

Ya know, I might actually jump in the old Volvo and head out down I5 and attend this thing. Mainly because I want to go to San Francisco and eat at the French Laundry and this might be the excuse. Any of these sponsors have the class or juice to book this place? (not a prayer) If you don't know this place....Google it. I hear it may have good pickles and dog nuts.

Two things re: The French Laundry.
1) Don't let them hear you say it's in San Francisco, that's slumming to those in the Napa Valley. Figure a minimum of 60 minutes to drive to Yountville from the city, IF the traffic is good.
2) Good luck getting a reservation, they're booked up solid 60 days out, which is as far in advance as they'll accept reservations.

[softball]

Originally Posted by Toby

Two things re: The French Laundry.
1) Don't let them hear you say it's in San Francisco, that's slumming to those in the Napa Valley. Figure a minimum of 60 minutes to drive to Yountville from the city, IF the traffic is good.
2) Good luck getting a reservation, they're booked up solid 60 days out, which is as far in advance as they'll accept reservations.

sixty minutes in a big city is nothing. Hell, when I lived in London that was almost central. Sixty days? Again good restaurants can be months. So that's all good. Did you enjoy your meal?
I know it got its third star which is no mean feat. I have eaten in starred restaurants in Europe and this is one of the first in North America. I hear Guy Savoy has opened a pretty nice place in Vegas that sounds like it would be worth a look. His restaurant and bistro in Paris are nice.
So the French Laundry is on my map which is more why I would go to my first ever convention. Plus I used to go to San Francisco in the sixties and it was a great place. I was there a few years ago and it had turned into a mecca for Red Skelton art, but I am willing to give it another chance. Plus there are a few people from AM days that live around there that I would love to see. Hell, we might even finally meet. I'll be the one wearing a white sports coat and a pink carnation.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

sixty minutes in a big city is nothing. Hell, when I lived in London that was almost central. Sixty days? Again good restaurants can be months. So that's all good. Did you enjoy your meal?
I know it got its third star which is no mean feat. I have eaten in starred restaurants in Europe and this is one of the first in North America. I hear Guy Savoy has opened a pretty nice place in Vegas that sounds like it would be worth a look. His restaurant and bistro in Paris are nice.
So the French Laundry is on my map which is more why I would go to my first ever convention. Plus I used to go to San Francisco in the sixties and it was a great place. I was there a few years ago and it had turned into a mecca for Red Skelton art, but I am willing to give it another chance. Plus there are a few people from AM days that live around there that I would love to see. Hell, we might even finally meet. I'll be the one wearing a white sports coat and a pink carnation.

The 60 minutes is a best case, from late afternoon on you'll be caught in the daily commuter crush until you get across the bridge and north of Marin County.

I've not been to The French Laundry, but my brother lives in San Francisco and has been there as well as most of the other fine dining establishments in the area. His opinion, for what it's worth... French Laundry is still excellent, but is living on past reputation. He feels any of the following are as good or better, and you don't have to leave the city, Gary Danko, Fleur de Lys or Boulevard. Of course, if what you want is to be able to say that you've eaten at The French Laundry the others aren't an option.

[softball]

Originally Posted by Toby

The 60 minutes is a best case, from late afternoon on you'll be caught in the daily commuter crush until you get across the bridge and north of Marin County.

I've not been to The French Laundry, but my brother lives in San Francisco and has been there as well as most of the other fine dining establishments in the area. His opinion, for what it's worth... French Laundry is still excellent, but is living on past reputation. He feels any of the following are as good or better, and you don't have to leave the city, Gary Danko, Fleur de Lys or Boulevard. Of course, if what you want is to be able to say that you've eaten at The French Laundry the others aren't an option.

Thanks for that. But I will always defer to the third star. You have to experience it to believe it. I haven't checked recently, but if they still have it, I gotta try and be there. And its nothing to do with saying I have eaten at the French Laundry, because I had never heard of it until Michelin started rating in the US. Oh yeah, and to actually see a convention might be fun and it is a total write off and its a nice drive down the coast.

[gonzo]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

Thanks for that. But I will always defer to the third star. You have to experience it to believe it. I haven't checked recently, but if they still have it, I gotta try and be there. And its nothing to do with saying I have eaten at the French Laundry, because I had never heard of it until Michelin started rating in the US. Oh yeah, and to actually see a convention might be fun and it is a total write off and its a nice drive down the coast.

Graham you get the reservations and attend that show and Ill get the meal.

[Hell Puppy]

Originally Posted by gonzo

Graham you get the reservations and attend that show and Ill get the meal.

And I'll get the "top off" later.

[miz_wright]

Originally Posted by Toby

... French Laundry is still excellent, but is living on past reputation. He feels any of the following are as good or better, and you don't have to leave the city, Gary Danko, Fleur de Lys or Boulevard. Of course, if what you want is to be able to say that you've eaten at The French Laundry the others aren't an option.

See, thing is though, I would've gone to the Carlton in 1928, 'cos it was Escoffier's menu, design, and receipts. Kinda the same thing. Keller may not be in the deeps of the kitchen anymore, but it's still his baby. Though I'd just as soon go to Bouchon, for that matter - less high-falutin', same executive chef.

I'd be the same about the opportunity to go to El Bulli, though, truth be told.

[softball]

Originally Posted by LizAEBN

See, thing is though, I would've gone to the Carlton in 1928, 'cos it was Escoffier's menu, design, and receipts. Kinda the same thing. Keller may not be in the deeps of the kitchen anymore, but it's still his baby. Though I'd just as soon go to Bouchon, for that matter - less high-falutin', same executive chef.

I'd be the same about the opportunity to go to El Bulli, though, truth be told.

http://www.michelinrestaurantsguide....star-guide.asp

If anything from food to service to cleanliness slips, then these restaurants will lose a star. It matters not who is frying the eggs. But the experience is amazing and guaranteed. Many restaurants that I consider fabulous would ever only rate maybe one star. A two star experience is nearly perfect because the chef is trying for his third and can be great value. But when they get that third star, it becomes another world. It is a four to five hour night out and will seriously impact your platinum card. But worth every penny. Nothing to do with snobbery, but restaurants that work this hard to get this recognition have gotten there for a reason. People will pay the cost for a reason and even at these huge prices, most of them don't turn much of a profit. The real money is in their bistros and other projects with the traffic developed from their flagship restaurants. So I would say it would be well worth it because a three star restaurant cannot rest on its laurels.

[miz_wright]

Originally Posted by rhetorical

http://www.michelinrestaurantsguide....star-guide.asp

If anything from food to service to cleanliness slips, then these restaurants will lose a star. It matters not who is frying the eggs. But the experience is amazing and guaranteed. Many restaurants that I consider fabulous would ever only rate maybe one star. A two star experience is nearly perfect because the chef is trying for his third and can be great value. But when they get that third star, it becomes another world. It is a four to five hour night out and will seriously impact your platinum card. But worth every penny. Nothing to do with snobbery, but restaurants that work this hard to get this recognition have gotten there for a reason. People will pay the cost for a reason and even at these huge prices, most of them don't turn much of a profit. The real money is in their bistros and other projects with the traffic developed from their flagship restaurants. So I would say it would be well worth it because a three star restaurant cannot rest on its laurels.

Right, I understand how Michelin rates restaraunts and I don't think I indicated snobbery anywhere. If I did, I apologise, as that was not my intent - simply explaining hy personal rationale.

I am saying for me, it's not about the Michelin rating, or the cache of eating at French Laundry - it's about the Keller background that is part and parcel of the Laundry experience for me, which would make Bouchon a wonderful time for me.

[Hammer]

There are LOTS of great places to eat in San Fransisco and out of the ones I'd pick to go to, none of them have a star. As a matter of fact, some of them don't even have a roof.