Comments on: Prom Date: The French Laundry

By: Charles Thompson

Charles Thompson — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 18:25:58 +0000

Hi Per! Of course I remember you! How great to hear from you again after all these years. Yes, Gabrielle and I have been in touch. I’ll send you an e-mail. Wow!

By: Per Nielsen

Per Nielsen — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 17:38:29 +0000

Hi Charles,
My name is Per Nielsen, I was the Danish Exchange Student you mentioned and is on the picture above, or at least part of me is on the picture.
I remember you very well (chasing them French girls)!!!!! I don’t know if you remember me but I was living with the Turner family in Santa Rosa.You probably remember Robert Turner. I know you have contact with Gabrielle in France again,
nice….

By: s. dragon

s. dragon — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 15:29:19 +0000

hi. i stumbled on your page looking for ANYONE who went to montgomery in 76/77, and 77/78, to see if anybody has the yearbooks. all my things were stolen
several years back and that included all my photos, and my yearbooks :( i was in the mime troupe, drama,
etc, and some of the only existing photos of me are in
those two yearbooks.

we live way up in crescent city now, so i have not been to a reunion since the 1988 one in santa rosa.
i’ve lost contact with everyone over the years.

if you have (as the photo above shows) your yearbook, i’m in it. i’m wondering if you could scan the pages i’m on? birth name lisa jennings,
i’m in the pic of the mime troupe, the bunny hop for 50’s day, and the junior drama. in 76/77 i was 10th grade, and 77/78 i’m 11th. (i left early and
went to SRJC, so i never graduated in ‘79. that was
why i went to the ‘88 reunion instead.

nice site, by the way. thanks for any help you can be.

sillhouette (aka lisa)

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:03:52 +0000

I went to an international school in Italy, it was a small school so everyone in the whole school went to prom every year. It was held at a villa and we were fed on site. It was a big event but very different from what I imagine American proms are like. I do remember going on a date with my boyfriend to a restaurant we thought was fancy – I think the food was ok, the strongest impression I have from that night is that we felt very grown up!

By: Charles Thompson

Charles Thompson — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:59:58 +0000

@Perry: Thanks!

@Phil: Thank you as always! I need to read that chapter in Ruhlman’s book. I found the info on the pre-Keller FL on the current FL website. Love your prom stories! Sorry they were both so awful.

@Cathy: I saw your blog post re your FL engagement dinner when I Googled the FL. Sounds like you had an incredible meal! I love your idea about taking Gabrielle to the current FL. Now I just have to find her!

@Phoo-d: Thanks you! It was a special evening. Love your descriptions about where you went and what you ate. Sounds like fun.

By: Phoo-d

Phoo-d — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 22:56:36 +0000

What a priceless photograph and story. You both look so beautiful and happy! I went to a seafood restaurant famous for clam chowder and a waterfront view with a big group of friends for my Senior prom. I remember that the chowder was a Rhode Island style red chowder and that we had a great time. =)

By: Gastronomer

Gastronomer — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:34:00 +0000

What an awesome coincidence! Maybe you should take your blogger prom date to THE French Laundry this year ;-)

By: Phil

Phil — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:36:56 +0000

This is such a great story, and the photo was fantastic. You guys made a very cute couple.

It’s funny that you’re writing about this. I was just reading the chapter of Ruhlman’s book “The Reach of a Chef” where he talked about his first experience dining at The French Laundry, the history behind the restaurant, and what it was before it was an actual restaurant. It’s amazing how unassuming it looks, how little it’s changed on the outside. Because everything is not as it once was on the inside.

Great to read your food history, how things came to be for you, and why you’re so passionate about France, the cuisine and the people. It’s certainly something to be celebrated.

And for the record, both of my proms (Junior and Senior years) were complete disasters. I was dumped at the first one (right after we took the picture) and the second started so poorly that we never made it there. Certainly a time to forget, so I live vicariously through good experiences like yours.

By: Perry aka Yusuf

Perry aka Yusuf — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 14:36:38 +0000

It is always nice to look back….ah lovely memories….
And yes, nice hair Charles ;-)

By: Charles Thompson

Charles Thompson — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 05:36:09 +0000

Re the hair, yes, I’ve noticed that too – if only I could still rock that style (as they say)!