Ten months. It had been ten months since we had shown our families around San Francisco, taken them to Local Mission Eatery, and cycled across the Golden Gate Bridge. It had been ten months since we had tried to redeem the certificate we were gifted as a an incredibly generous gesture of gratitude. Finally on Monday, after ten months, we landed our reservation at The French Laundry.
Monday was also the day that tragedy struck the Boston Marathon.
I awoke that morning giddy with anticipation of what was to be one of the greatest dining experiences of my life. In an instant, that feeling was ripped away and replaced with gut-wrenching horror. See, from the prospective of a marathon runner, there is no better feeling than seeing your family at the finish line, cheering your name with smiles 26.2 miles wide. To think that someone was determined to take that away from me and every other racer made me physically sick to my stomach. Paralyzed with fear for my sister, my friends, and people I didn't even know but for whom my heart broke regardless, I spent the rest of the day in bed, teetering between sadness and anger, refreshing my Twitter feed and listening to news for so much as an inkling of good news.
Mere hours after the incident, we arrived at The French Laundry to a symbol of respect and honor:
Monday was also the day that tragedy struck the Boston Marathon.
I awoke that morning giddy with anticipation of what was to be one of the greatest dining experiences of my life. In an instant, that feeling was ripped away and replaced with gut-wrenching horror. See, from the prospective of a marathon runner, there is no better feeling than seeing your family at the finish line, cheering your name with smiles 26.2 miles wide. To think that someone was determined to take that away from me and every other racer made me physically sick to my stomach. Paralyzed with fear for my sister, my friends, and people I didn't even know but for whom my heart broke regardless, I spent the rest of the day in bed, teetering between sadness and anger, refreshing my Twitter feed and listening to news for so much as an inkling of good news.
Mere hours after the incident, we arrived at The French Laundry to a symbol of respect and honor:
Flag at The French Laundry Garden at Half Mast
Because emotion plays such a vital role in the meals we consume, I was nervous that this gift that was given to me - meant to be enjoyed and savored - may have been tarnished in some way: that I would not have been able to fully appreciate the experience to the fullest. Yet as I walked through the cottage-like doors to the very pristine dining room I had only dreamed of, a sense of calm overtook me under the wings of our server Angela and our sommelier Patrick (visiting from New York's PerSe). For the next three hours, I was able to forget - or at least, push away - all of the bad in the world and simply enjoy an incredible meal with stellar people.
 Bouchon Bakery Brioche... |  ...and Butter Buddies! Salted from Washington (Honeycomb) and Unsalted from California. |
 "Oysters and Pearls" // Creamy, Custardy Pearl Tapioca with Island Creek Oysters and White Sturgeon Caviar. There is a reason this is a staple. |  "Salade De Choux-Fleur" // Intensely Fresh and Floral Cauliflower, Sweet Poached Field Rhubarb, Split English Peas and Mint-Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil |  "Grilled Guinea Hen Ravioli" // Sprouting Spigarello Kale, Farm Broccoli, Cherry Belle Radishes and Black Winter Truffles (plus an extra dusting of truffles mid-plate!) |
 Clos Rougeard, Saumur Champigny Blanc, Breze 2008 - Best White Of My Life |  Lopez de Heredia, Rioja Vina Tondonia Gran Reserva 1994 - Best Red of My Life |
 "Atlantic Halibut 'Confit A La Minute' // Melt-In-Your-Mouth Halibut with Sacramento Delta Green Asparagus, Butter-Poached Morel Mushrooms, Pickled Ramps and 'Sauce Noilly Prat' |  "Sweet Butter-Poached Maine Lobster Fricassée" // Caramelized Green Garlic, Young Artichokes, Carrot Buttons and Barigoule Broth. |  "'Ballotine' of Four Story Hill Farm Poularde" // Moist, Tender Chicken with French Laundry Garden Beets, Celery Branch English Walnuts and Royal Blenheim Apricot Purée |
 "Marcho Farms Nature-Fed Veal 'Calotte'" // Wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon, Romain Lettuce, Pickled Cucumbers, 'Bread and Butter' Turnips, Green Tomato Relish and Dill Jus |  "Herb-Roasted Elysian Fields Farm Lamb Saddle" // 'Panisse,' Marinated Jingle Bell Peppers, Eggplant Confit, Garbanzo Beans and Burnt Lemon Jus (Photo Credit: Jeff Solomon) |
 "Salers Reserve" // Pickled Green Strawberries, Young Fennel Bulb, Piedmont Hazelnuts and Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette |  "Verjus Blanc" // Demi-Sec Grapes, Jasmine Tea Ice Cream and Caramel Crisp |
 "Dark Treacle" // Devil's Food, Valrhona Chocolate 'Marquise,' Lyle's Golden Syrup and Marshall Farms Burnt Honey Ice Cream |  "Princess Cake" // Animal Farm Buttermilk, Navel Orange Marmalade, Toasted Marzipan and Cara Cara Orange Sorbet |  "Cappuccino" // Coffee Ice Cream, Milk Foam, Sugared Donuts and (not pictured) Candied Macadamia Nuts |
And that is what dining among friends can be: a way to exist in the moment and be cognizant of the food we have, the company we keep, and the ability to enjoy experiences such as these. I am so fortunate for the opportunities in my life, and Monday made me realize that fact perhaps more-so than ever before. The dichotomy of the horrific morning counterbalanced by gorgeous evening - both unforgettable in their own respects - made me take a step back and truly appreciate the beauty of food, family and friends.
We must move on, but never forget. We must live our lives normally, but as we do, occasionally take the time to recognize and be thankful for all that surrounds us.
Whether you dine at The French Laundry, your local coffee shop, an In-N-Out or in your mother's kitchen, be sure to thank someone involved for all that they do, because at any instant, it can all be taken away.
We must move on, but never forget. We must live our lives normally, but as we do, occasionally take the time to recognize and be thankful for all that surrounds us.
Whether you dine at The French Laundry, your local coffee shop, an In-N-Out or in your mother's kitchen, be sure to thank someone involved for all that they do, because at any instant, it can all be taken away.
 Take-Home Truffles: The Inner Workings of the PB&J |  Tin of Shortbread Cookies for Breakfast |
Nosh on,
Josh
Josh
