I have a reservation for FL at last!!
After several years of trying to get in, I finally got in.

Problem: I might have party of 5 instead of 4. Our reservation is for 4. Are they very strick??
What would happen if we show up with 5 instead of 4? Whoud they turn us down

According to the fax confirmation, if you cancel or reduce the number in your party less than 72 hours prior to your reservation, you will be charged $100 per person.

GA - Huhhh. That is odd. They did not even take my Credit Card for reservation. They had my phone # since I have been on their waiting list every year for last 3 years!
Also, my problem is I may have one more person going on our next Napa trip

Why not just call them up and find out?

I am going to call them and try to find out if we can add another person but I think I know what they are going to say. NO!

I orgingally wanted to make reservation for 5 but they were booked solid. Then while I was on the phone, someone had called in to cacel the reservation for 4. I took it!
Now maybe one person have to go to Taylor instead

Oops, misread the original intent of your post.

A five top is usually a larger table than a four top. My guess is they would not be happy if you just showed up with an extra.

Other restaurants might accomodate you but my guess is that the FL would not. Call them.

is the food that good there that everyone puts up with all the work it takes to eat there?

Ant, I cannot say from personal experience, but I would say YES!!!!

If you are a foodie, you owe it to yourself to eat there at least once in your life. I plan to.

ricky, if it comes down to drawing straws, CHEAT! you do NOT want to be on the losing end of this one!

Anthony Yes......it is worth it, you must do it once, I ate there last Thursday.

Ricky, here is an odd little incident that took place. I made reservations August 2nd for 4 to dine on October 2nd. When we got there they had us down for 2 somehow, you can imagine I was feeling I was not going to be happy and was curious about what the outcome would be, but remained content until further word. They told us to wait outside with all of the other folks waiting to be seated. Within minutes they sat us with no more mention of the reservation mistake.

Now on the other hand I would not recommend showing up with an additional person though purposly.

If someone called and said that they have reservation for FL and had room for 2 more, my wife and I would only accept if it is people we really really enjoy being with. Because you are there for a long time and will be paying a lot of money (their wine policy and add on options tend to make the meal hundreds of dollars more than you would normally pay for a $270 meal), you really have to enjoy the company. You also have to add on the cost of a room so it can get quite expensive.

The other thing to consider is whether you like your food served the way they do. I have to admit that I am a buffet fan (high end, of course) and I prefer to get the food that I want when I want it. Being served 8+ courses a little bit at a time is not for everyone. You wait 10-15 minutes, get a dish, take 1 or 2 bites, they take the plate away and you wait 10-15 minutes for the next plate.

When I think about it, I enjoyed the ahi burger at Taylor's just as much. At least they don't charge you $50 for corkage.

Taylor's charges $5.

Taylor's wanted it to be free, but couldn't get a license that way. As it is, you have go stand in line and beg them to take the $5 anyway.

Oops. My wife bought the bottled soda that they offered, so I don't feel too bad. It costs about $2 and is undrinkable.

Was that the red ROTO soda at Taylor's? They pushed it and I tried one when we were there in June, did not like it- bitter! Could not drink it either.

Black & White Milkshakes - why do anything else?

Bob, Nothing better. That's is why I avoid the place like the plague! I can't imagin how much I would weigh if, like you, I lived just a couple of blocks from the place.

The B/W milkshake is 100 points IMO. I think Parker gave Taylor's 98 points in one of his "most memorable meals" section a couple of years ago.

Black & White milkshakes. Please sir, tell of this wonder!

TJ..

If you don't know the answer, you have been deprived of one of life's greatest pleasures!