Travel
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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
**kimberleyS5**
Hi. I opened the SF/Napa post below b/c H & I are going this fall for our anniv. I'm dying to go to French Laundry. I tried to call already & heard the message about taking reservations (only) two months in advance. I was just planning to set up an alert on my phone two months out & give it a whirl, but I'm curious how you did it. You said you got your cc company to do it for you? Do you have a special set up or was it through the "travel" branch of your cc?
Anyone else that has advice on how to get a reservation, pls feel free to jump in! Thanks.
Re: **kimberleyS5**
My credit card that I used is the AmEx Platinum - it has a steep yearly fee ($450 a year) but it also provides a concierge service to help with getting reservations at top restaurants, tickets to sold-out events, etc. I'm quite certain that the AmEx team have a relationship with these restaurants that allows them to get tables easier than you or I would on your own.
My first recommendation - ask around to see if anyone has an AmEx Platinum (assuming you or DH don't) and ask if they're willing to call the concierge to make a reservation on your behalf. You'd want to let them know the date MORE than 2 months out (after the tables are all reserved, there's not much you can do about it), because that will allow them to secure a table for you before the general reservations open. I called them one week before the 2-month out date, and they confirmed the day of - I didn't even have to lift a finger, it was amazing!
As an aside, if you're an avid traveler, the AmEx Platinum is a great card and well worth the expensive yearly fee (it's more than paid for itself in terms of perks we got).
If you don't know anyone with an AmEx Platinum, the best way to get a reservation is to recruit your parents, DH's parents, DH, and anyone else to call-call-call the restaurant exactly 2 months to the day you want to go. The phone lines open at 10:00 AM Pacific Standard Time; don't give up! It may take 45+ minutes to get through, but you may be able to get a table. Be open to doing lunch or dinner. Take *any* time slot available.
If you aren't able to get through, call up and ask to be added to the waiting list *and* check Open Table. There are apparently tables available on Open Table, so keep checking that all the time. I know two people who have made reservations through Open Table.
If that doesn't work out, then check the forums around French Laundry reservations - sometimes people will give them up instead of just cancelling. And if you're not able to get in - don't worry! You can still dine on great food at Bottega, Ad Hoc, and Bouchon (the latter two of which are also Thomas Keller restaurants).
If you do get a reservation for French Laundry, definitely stay in Yountville. That way you can drink - the wine is *crazy* expensive but if you're going to the French Laundry, you don't worry about what you spend. Like I said - our meal, with wine pairings (and the foie gras supplement, the white truffle supplement, and the caviar supplement) was about $1,500 for two people. I would say it was one of the two best meals I've ever had (tied with Guy Savoy in Paris, which also sets you back about $1,500, so they're pretty comparable in experience and quality).
HTH - let me know if you have other questions!