At this former French steam laundry, Chef Thomas Keller has raised the standard for fine dining in America. While the country locale a circa-1900 rock and timber cottage makes dinners feel at home, tables set with house Limoges china, crystal stemware and floor-length linens, set the tone for elegant five- and nine-course French tasting menus that change daily but always rely on seasonal produce and organic meats along with luxuries like foie gras and truffles. Restaurant reservations are only taken two months to the day (make sure to call at 10 a.m. Pacific time), so expect to plan well in advance.

The French Laundry Information:

• American, French menu. Dinner. Closed Monday; Thanksgiving, December 24-26; also 2 weeks in Jan and 1 week in late July to early August. Reservations recommended. Credit cards accepted.