The French Laundry – Yountville, CA
Consistently listed as one of the best, if not The Best Restaurant in the United States, The French Laundry continues to serve as chef extraordinaire Thomas Keller’s workshop for elevating American cuisine. Set in the heart of Napa Valley, the legendary restaurant also is a mandatory finishing school for young chefs aspiring to similar heights of genius. Do order the famous and seminal appetizer of “oysters and pearls,” where oysters are topped with caviar and served on a bed of tapioca (the pearls) in sabayon with a vermouth sauce. Don’t be like one oafish patron, who was misguided enough to believe the definition of “Best Restaurant” would be one that would cook up any dish he requested on the spot. Be prepared to plan for dinner two months in advance: The combination of its sterling reputation and the restaurant’s small size mean reservations are at a premium.

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