Today I Love Michael Bauer
In the Chronicle today is an article on "The Magnificent Seven," which is about the seven restaurants that they deign to bestow four stars on.
These include Campton Place, Chez Panisse, The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton, Fleur de Lys, French Laundry, La Folie and Manresa. They reviewed several others when making this cut and found they just didn't have what it takes.
Well slap my ass and call me Sally because that is the best thing I could have woken up to. Sure, I had the most horrible service of my life at Fleur de Lys and I've never been to the Ritz (it's on my to-do list) but I couldn't have picked the other five better myself. I have half a mind to go down to the Chronicle and kiss Mr. Bauer, although I suspect that might get me removed from the premises.
Notice who is missing? That's right, my nemesis, Michael Mina. Pardon me while I do my I-told-you-so dance. Yee haw! Who else is missing? Mr. Gary Danko. I have been meaning to pay him a visit lately as my last visit was years ago. I haven't been able to bring myself to do it though, because when I did go there, I found the food to be well prepared but on the boring side. According to this article, not much has changed. But since I have a mind of my own, I may just have to hunker down and go there anyway. Then I think of what it costs and realize that I'd rather just go back to Manresa.
As for Campton Place, Chez Panisse, French Laundry, La Folie and Manresa, I couldn't be more thrilled. I've had extraordinary meals at all of those places (he also mentions Jon's single favorite dining moment ever -- cutting into a foie gras torchon at Campton Place and having maple syrup spill out). Can I get another Yee-Haw?
xoxo
Joy
"To eat is a necessity. To eat intelligently is an art."
--La Rochefoucauld
3 Comments:
Had my wedding dinner at Fleur de Lys and one of the waiters spilled pea soup all over my new husband.
I do love Gary Danko. Absolutely perfect service; outstanding food. I thought French Laundry was overhyped; never going to try so hard to make reservations for any restaurant again.
The others, I still haven't tried. Thanks for the reminder.
GD is worth paying a visit to again. I had a seamless meal there for my bday last year. (Although I knew in advance that the desserts would be disappointing. and they were.)
And, I think it's reasonable beyond compare.
i second the last comment. we ate at gary danko last week, and thought it was spectacular. the service was spot-on -- everyone was very friendly, professional, and not stuffy in the least. we even had a few good laughs with them along the way! as for the food, we were blown away. the frog leg's, quail and squab were particular highlights.
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