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I was lucky enough to dine at the French Laundry back in 2001. I essentially did the same thing. I wrote it in my appointment book to be free when the phones opened so when I got back to the office from lunch (1pm Est.) I immediately started dialing. It took me 15 minutes to get threw with constant redial and waited on hold 10 more minutes. By that time they had only one table left. It is the same with most places, in 1999 it was a $65 phone call to book a reservation at Alain Ducasse in Paris. Some other time I will tell you about me being drunk when I was at the French Laundry (from winery tours all day) and falling down in the stairs in the middle of the restaurant.

Hi there,
I am new here, but I wanted to share my experience about getting a reservation for the French Laundry. I just got one 3 days ago, but I almost got one as well four days ago.
First of all, I highly recommend you not use the phone unless you do like other people mentioned and have like 10 people helping you out. It is SUPER SUPER frustrating.
My first attempt to get a reservation was on Tuesday July 15th. I went to Opentable.com and created an account. Then I pulled up the ebay clock since it is set to Pacific Time (I live in FL). I waited until exactly 2:59:56 and then pushed the red button. WHEN YOU SEE A RED TIME POSTED THAT COMES UP, YOU HAVE THE RESERVATION. BUT DON'T DO LIKE ME. I WAS ELATED BUT DIDN'T REALIZE I HAD TO CLICK ON IT IMMEDIATELY, SO WHEN I CLICKED ON IT IT SAID "SORRY, YOUR RESERVATION HAS BEEN GIVEN TO SOMEONE ELSE"
I was sickened. Then the next day I tried to call the number and redialed for 30 minutes before giving up. I just felt devastated, like it was the "fish that got away." But I remained determined, which you must do too if you want to eat there.
The next night, Wednesday the 16th, I tried the same thing. I hoped and prayed it worked. Again, EXACTLY at 2:59:56 I pushed the red button and to my utter amazment the time popped up again. I IMMEDIATELY, AND I MEAN IMMEDIATELY CLICKED ON THE TIME, AND YOU MUST HAVE A CREDIT CARD HANDY AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE LOGGED IN AS A MEMBER SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO FILL IN OTHER THINGS THAT BEING ALREADY LOGGED IN WILL KEEP YOU FROM HAVING TO DO. IF YOU ARE NOT A FAST AND ACCURATE TYPIST, HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS, BECAUSE UNTIL YOU COMPLETE THE CREDIT CARD PART THE RESERVATION IS NOT YOURS. THEN IMMEDIATELY PUSH THE BUTTON, AND THE RESERVATION WILL BE YOURS.
Sorry for all the caps, but this really worked for me TWO nights in a row, I just messed up the first night. But for fun I tried Thursday and Friday and did not get it, so there is some luck involved. But I am convinced that if you try this for several days and you are patient that you will be successful.
And words cannot explain what it feels like to actually have a reservation. I printed out the confirmation about 3 times just to be sure. =) Peace, Dave R.

Italian tuna in olive oil
Anchovy paste
Fish sauce
Worchester Sauce
Huey Fong Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce
Huey Fong Chili Garlic Sauce
Soba/Udon
Frozen spinach/peas
Dried beans/peas/legumes
Sun dried tomatoes
Capers

I hate even talking about restaurants of this caliber. If I was ever in one, it was in a small town in Italy and they did not know they were in such exalted company. The wine was excellent, served by a twelve year old son, and not a drop spilled. The dishes came one after another, fresh and light mixed with heavy, pungent, treat to all the senses. The sun was golden in the west, and lit the whole countryside still. When the meal was over, there was coffee and a local liquor made from dried cranberries. It cost me 2000 lira.

good luck getting a reservation! i put my name on the waiting list & ended up getting a call back within the week. they have a great selection of non-alcoholic beverages for those not interested in the wine list. at per se, they actually do a non-alcoholic beverage flight to match your dinner! i heart TK and his staff!

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Response: They have private party rooms, the service and food are the same. It just you need a certain amount of people cause they have a standard rate to rent out the room. This usually can be rented 2 weeks in advanced if you have enough people.

I've never tried it, but I've heard of people getting in at the time and date of their choosing by using the rule of 8. If you can wrangle together a table of 8 + they will take you. Like most restaurants the reservation will probably require a deposit. It could be an urban myth, but worth a try =)