The French Laundry, located in Yountville, California, is a renowned three-Michelin-star restaurant founded by Sally Schmitt in 1978. Initially a French steam laundry, the building dates back to 1896 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. After Schmitt’s tenure, Thomas Keller took over in 1994, shaping the restaurant into a cornerstone of California cuisine. Over the years, it has maintained a reputation for excellence, with Keller publishing The French Laundry Cookbook in 1999, which won multiple culinary awards. The restaurant underwent renovations in 2014, briefly closing due to a robbery of its wine cellar, but reopened in 2015, continuing its legacy of high-end dining.
The French Laundry offers two tasting menus: the Chef’s Tasting Menu and the Tasting of Vegetables, both priced at $390 per person. With dishes that blend French and contemporary American influences, the restaurant showcases innovative creations, such as smoked salmon cornets. Notable alumni from its kitchen include celebrated chefs like Grant Achatz and René Redzepi.
