Securing a reservation at Thomas Keller’s The French Laundry in Yountville, California or Grant Achatz’s Alinea in Chicago takes advance planning, persistence, and a little bit of luck. These perennially booked Michelin 3-star establishments are considered two of the toughest tables in the country. With only a handful of seatings per night and sky-high demand from food enthusiasts the world over, landing a booking requires determination and strategic maneuvering. In this article we talk about French Laundry and Alinea-Tips for Reserving a Table.
Follow these tips if you hope to experience the multicourse tasting menus at two of America’s most acclaimed restaurants:
Make Reservations Exactly 2 Months in Advance
Mark your calendar and prepare to call The French Laundry reservation line at 10 am PT exactly 60 days prior to your preferred date. Alinea recently switched from NextTable to Tock for reservations, so you’ll need to log on to Tock precisely at 10 am CT to book tables 60 days out. These restaurants fill up extremely quickly each morning, so you need to be ready to pounce like a lion stalking its prey.
Enlist Friends to Help
Given the lightning speed at which prime-time bookings disappear, enlist several friends to call or try online simultaneously. The more people you have helping, the better your odds since it’s basically a race to grab one of the few open tables. Coordinate your effort and have everyone ready to pull the trigger right at the opening bell. Persistence through multiple calls often pays off.
Be Flexible with Dates/Times
Since competition is fierce for 7 pm Saturday reservations, consider booking on off-peak days/times if your schedule allows. Openings are more readily available earlier in the week like Monday through Wednesday or during the 5:30 pm seating. Unless you have your heart set on a weekend dinner, flexibility with your schedule can definitely work in your favor.
Book Your Wine Country Visit for Less Busy Months
For The French Laundry, visit the Napa Valley during fall and winter months when tourism dips a bit after summer and harvest seasons have passed. The rest of the year, especially spring/summer, tends to be jam-packed with wine tasters. For Alinea, aim for January through April, avoiding the busy summer tourist season. Less overall visitors equals better odds.
Consider the Bar Seating
At both restaurants, bar seating makes up about a quarter of the dining room capacity. Competition is still fierce, but comparatively less so than for the main dining room tables. Put in requests for the bar each time to increase your chances of scoring a reservation. The food and service are equally impressive from either vantage point.
Check Cancellations Regularly
Scoring a last-minute cancellation reservation requires persistence and luck since openings appear randomly. Check The French Laundry’s online reservation system frequently for the next 60 days. For Alinea, log into Tock multiple times per day to sweep for newly posted seats. Act instantly if an opening does materialize, as it will vanish ASAP since others are eagerly trolling as well. Consider it winning the restaurant reservation lottery!
Enlist Your Concierge
If you’re staying at a 5-star hotel in wine country or downtown Chicago, tap your concierge to pull strings. Restaurants hold back select tables for VIP guests and high-rollers, so an insider may be able to secure you a coveted booking when all else fails. It can’t hurt to sweetly ask your concierge to work their magic.
Follow Social Media
It never hurts to directly plead your case via Instagram or Twitter by tagging the restaurants’ accounts. Public groveling through smartly composed posts expressing your dining fervor may capture the attention of reservation managers. Social media influencing has worked for many. Just don’t overdo it lest you seem a little unhinged!
Consider a Weekday Lunch
While much less glamorous than a weekend dinner service given the clientele and local crowd, booking weekday lunch is infinitely easier. For business travelers not able to plan 60 days out, lunch is a great way to experience the cuisine of both establishments. Menus are still impressive and you can get away with more casual attire given the time of day.
Book a Hotel Package
The French Laundry offers luxury hotel packages with guaranteed reservations through partner properties like Auberge Resorts and Triple Creek Ranch. Similarly, Alinea runs packages with The Peninsula Chicago. Though pricey, these offers ensure you a booking alongside deluxe accommodations and amenities. It makes for easy one-stop planning, especially for out-of-towners.
Monitor Resale Sites
Websites like TableXchange track and facilitate resales of hard-to-get reservations from those who can no longer use them. Resale prices vary greatly based on date, time, and demand, but can provide a last-minute option for flexible diners. Just know that reservations are non-transferrable, so there’s an element of risk that the booking could be deemed invalid.
Consider Dining at Other Keller or Achatz Spots
While the flagship French Laundry and Alinea locations possess incredible allure and star power, you may have better luck getting into their sister restaurants. Thomas Keller also runs Bouchon Bistro, La Calenda, and Ad Hoc in Yountville, along with Per Se in New York. Meanwhile Grant Achatz’s restaurant portfolio includes Next, Roister, and The Aviary in Chicago. The talent in the kitchen is undeniable at any property.
Patience and Persistence Pay Off
Like the most exclusive nightclubs, part of French Laundry and Alinea’s allure stems from the maddening difficulty of securing seatings. But don’t abandon all hope of ever landing a reservation. With a flexible schedule, proper timing, some luck and dogged tenacity, you can still break through and enjoy an incredible meal at these world-renowned establishments. The key is carefully employing every strategy and not giving up!
Stay Hungry for the Culinary Experience of a Lifetime
Keep chasing the dream if visiting The French Laundry or Alinea is on your lifelong bucket list. The hassle of merely making a reservation ultimately transforms into a distant memory once you sip the first flute of Champagne and indulge in 25 courses of edible art. The astronomical effort and expense become resoundingly worthwhile as the restaurants live up to their epic reputations, delivering unmatched cuisine and hospitality. Your perseverance will be rewarded with one of the most amazing and memorable meals of your life.