The French Laundry, Her Gardens & Environs in Yountville

You could be forgiven if you momentarily thought you were deep in the heart of France. Hills covered in vineyards, rustic stone houses, outdoor bistro seating under the arbors...we didn't awake from our reverie francaise until we spotted the Thomas Keller nonchalantly crossing Washington Street and realized we were firmly in Yountville, California....not Aix-en-Provence!

Fancy a little lunch at Bouchon? Table's ready!

Here in very close proximity to his legendary The French Laundry, Bouchon Bistro, and bistro Ad Hoc, Mr. Keller would feel quite comfortable as the owner and creator of arguably the best restaurant in this country, if not the world.

Thomas Keller, patron saint of amazing restaurants, strolling down

Washington Street in Yountville, California, one sunny morning

When my daughter Lisa Tomasi (the brilliant and talented founder of Pear & Pepper Fine Catering and Events) and I headed north to the wine country for a little exhalation recently, we had forgotten just how thoroughly this place can take your breath away. Both weary from work and in need of a break, we travelled in our favorite manner, la route du petit ecolier (the way of the little schoolboy.....wandering around as if we had all the time in the world). And if we happened to find some design inspiration, all the better.

The unassuming facade of The French Laundry

After the thrill of spotting Thomas Keller, the second lovely surprise was the potager (kitchen garden) for his restaurant, The French Laundry. If we were looking for interior inspiration, we found it outside in the impeccable and verdant gardens, exquisitely organized and productively composted. We took a stroll through.

Lisa Tomasi in the potager for The French Laundry

Inside the greenhouse for The French Laundry gardens

Is this gorgeous?

This scene makes me want to take up gardening!

That, dear friends, is how composting is done....as a wall!

The view looking across from The French Laundry restaurant

What's this...no, a bakery??

Bouchon Bakery's selection of pains (breads) make an artistic arrangement

No I couldn't possibly! well...maybe just a little bite...! Macaroons

to rival Laduree's on the Champs Elysee!

Pretty tile floor adorning Bouchon Bakery floor

We then found ourselves mysteriously walking into the front door of the Bouchon Bakery....hmmm? After une petite croissant or two and a latte (we were too early for a real meal anywhere else but the bakery...eh bien!), we wandered across the way to Bistro Jeanty and admired her charming facade.

An excellent bistro meal here!

Maybe a spin around the village?

Credentials!

{all photos taken by Kit Golson with my trusty iPhone

you may download with abandon!}

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Kit Golson Design

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Chic Provence Interior Design