that sounds awesome. do they ship?

I prefer the Black and White or Black and Tan at Fenton's better, but the BW milkshake is a nice complement to an ahi burger.

I'm really glad that Parker, who has eaten at the best places in the world, can appreciate Taylor's.

Ah, Fentons. An Oakland institution since 1897 and it is back up and running. The guy who sits next to me at baseball games remembers it from the 50's. It hasn't changed much. Went the other night and just got a couple scoops but it was as good as ever. I've not had the Black and Tan (I think of that as a Guiness and lager at a pub). I'll have to try it some time.

Sorry to divert from the FL subject, but since you are close to Fenton's, don't order the shrimp sandwich! The Mrs. swears the crab sandwich is smaller and pricier ($13?). Serving potato chips with the sandwiches has to change.

The ice cream is a good as ever but getting pricier too. Black and Tan (vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce, caramel) is as good as ever but it's $7.95 IIRC. I had lunch there with my cousin (who used to go there from her days at Boalt), her husband, her two small kids, her mother, the Mrs and I and lunch was $150 out the door! Kind of shocking for an old college hangout.

I heard the FL-East Coast is due to open soon (according to the chatter over on eGullet). Any idea when it'll be open and what name he's chosen yet?

tj,

I understand it will open mid to late February. It is in the new Four Seasons Hotel in NYC. The name of the place will be "The French Laundry".

The black and white I had at Taylor's was a chocolate shake with creme of marshmellow whipped through. It cannot be drunked* with a straw. You must use a spoon.


* drink - drank - drunk - drunked

davidn... try 'consumed'. Less pain on the brain!

The New York locale won't be in the Four Seasons Hotel (57 57th St), but will be in the new Time Warner Building at 10 Columbus Circle. This is a new twin tower construction which will house luxury apartments, a Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the world headquarters for Time Warner, the New York offices of CNN, upscale retail, and several restaurants, including Keller's. Gary Kunz and Jean-George are also opening spots in the building.

Thanks JimmyV. Tres kewl.

Still, I think everyone will be bummed in general since you'll never know which of the two places he'll be at on a given day/week. Grrr.

Anyone else hear about Daniel Boulud's new restaurant on some mega-luxury cruise line?

davidn-- Dude, sounds like a Ted Drew's 'Concrete' frozen custard. You folks who've ever had the fine experience of 'sucking one down' from his place(s) in St. Louis know what I am talking about. I can't wait to try the one you described some day.

Does anyone know when they will begin taking reservations for the French Laundry in NY, if they haven't started already?

jb

AFter a little digging, here is what can be said of Thomas Keller's new place--

65 seats, opening in mid-February, to be called 'Per Se'

Check out the followingarticle.

I have no idea when/if you'll be able to start trying to get reservations. Maybe try calling the FL now?

I stand corrected. And I thought I had the straight scoop.

Its sad that Keller has gone back to the place that rejected him before.

Ego or greed?

Both I suspect.

Did I miss something?!? Are they opening a French Laundry is NYC?

Not a "French Laundry". Both Thomas Keller is opening another restaurant in NYC (he had a place before French Laundry and lost his shirt (litterally)). If you lookhere it looks like Mr. Keller will be opening another Bouchon in Las Vegas. He's starting to spread himself a bit thin if you ask me.

I agree. Michel Richard expanded a lot and now has contracted drastically. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out.

Well on top of what we already know I've heard that Keller wants to open a hotel/spa/... across the street from The French Laundry on the open space there (he owns the land evidently). Yet another thing for him to look after. I think the big problem is that Thomas is a perfectionist and it is one of the things that made TFL so great. He isn't going to be able to be everywhere at once so it will be interesting to see what this does to the quality at TFL and his other establishments.