I’ve been itching to go back to The French Laundry for a while because they serve the kind of overstuffed sandwiches I love, however, for the first time in my French Laundry visiting history, I planned on ordering something different
With my loving parents driving the car, and their crazy sandwich loving daughter in the backseat, we drove off to find sanwichy goodness
The French Laundry boasts an expansive menu, however, I had already called ahead to be sure they offered the Reuben… thus my being there
While my parents perused the choices, I took in the scenery
When you walk into The French Laundry, you’re greeted by fresh baked goods like you’ve just into a French patisserie, which I’m sure is the point as they are, after all, called "The French Laundry"
The mismatched tables and chairs set atop the black and white checkerboard tile make you feel like shedding your winter wear and settling in with a warm slice of coffee cake and a steaming cup of coffee poured from the cool copper coffee contraption (I’m sure it has a scientific name, but I don’t know it)
I had to push my winter wishes aside as I was there for the sandwich
Seated in the larger dining area at an enamel topped table, not unlike the one in my own kitchen, I had the privilege of viewing the extensive beer and wine selection displayed behind the mahogany bar
There’s a great light in the Laundry that streams in from the colorful stained glass sky light
This restaurant was cozy, my food was on its way, and I was hungry
My parents opted for soup and quiche, and perhaps at a later date I may try that too, as they both looked delicious
My Reuben looked delicious too
A Reuben is comprised of boiled corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing on rye bread.
I felt almost giddy when I saw the sliced corned beef peeking out from underneath the crusty, buttered and fried rye bread. That thought alone should get your Pavlov going.
Not in sandwich form, I don’t care for corned beef and sauerkraut. I have unpleasant childhood memories of the two cooking together and giving the whole house a “stinky feet” smell.
However, in sandwich form, I love corned beef and sauerkraut, and The French Laundry's Reuben was quite wonderful
The corned beef was slightly seasoned and expertly sliced. You have to appreciate perfectly sliced meat. Placed on top of the generous mound of meat was the sauerkraut; it was an ample amount, but not so much that you were overwhelmed by the sour flavor. Underneath was the melted Switzerland Swiss cheese, and above it all was a drizzle of Russian dressing.
I liked that the Swiss cheese was placed at the bottom, as with each bite your tongue tasted the cheese before the corned beef, before the sauerkraut, before the Russian dressing.
If fact, I believe “cheese, beef, kraut, dressing” should be considered the official order for Reuben tasting.
This sandwich was good but I have two complaints.
The first was the sauerkraut flavor; it was a little bland. At first I thought I might prefer a less flavorful kraut, but the truth is, if you’re ordering a Reuben, you’re expecting the sauerkraut flavor. On any other sandwich I think I may like the light sauerkraut flavor, but I have high expectations for my Reubens.
The second complaint was the drizzle of Russian dressing. While I agree there is such a thing as too much dressing, I still like to have enough that my meal requires extra napkins.
What can I say? I enjoy messy meals!
Overall, the sandwich truly was a good one, and it was darn tasty toasted the next day.
I give the Reuben at The French Laundry three out of five pickles.
