Looks like there could be an expansion in The French Laundry's future: A Yountville committee has approved a rezoning which would allow the Thomas Keller Restaurant Group to grow their three Michelin-starred restaurant into the lot next door the Napa Valley Register reports. The 7,738-square-foot lot which is currently host to two single-family houses has been rezoned from residential to commercial, as initially proposed by the TKRG back in 2012. Apparently Keller will be on the hook to fulfill a local mandate "to replace affordable housing lost to new construction."
Eater has reached out to TKRG regarding their potential expansion plans and has not yet heard back. According the NVR, the group is planning on removing "at least one of the houses to make room for an expanded kitchen and garden, new office space and a rearranged parking area." The dining room will reportedly remain unchanged. It should be noted that these plans are not necessarily going to happen; the restaurant still needs separate approval from the town to move ahead.
· Rezoning May Open Way to French Laundry Remodel [NVR]
· All French Laundry Coverage on Eater [-E-]