Located along Washington Street in central Younteville, which is prime Keller country, Ad Hoc was originally slated to become a different kind of new concept dining room by the French Laundry crew. While plans were being solidified for something far more revolutionary, the staff decided to create a pop-up eatery that would feed the overflow food masses that were constantly displaced by a full reservation lists at both Bouchon and French Laundry. The resulting restaurant, Ad Hoc, was initially only supposed to be open only until 2007. But given the resounding success of the restaurant and its frill-free dining room of walnut wainscoting and simple tables topped with sheets of butcher paper, the spot is now a permanent landmark of local Keller-style casual dining.
The Food
The idea of Ad Hoc was to create a casual family-style eatery that satiates the high-demand palettes of Keller foodies and culinary tourists. The result is a 5-day a week menu of 4-course family style meals scribbled on a barely legible chalkboard accompanied by an approachable wine list that hovers around the $45 range. The menu changes daily with choice of salad usually tossed with vegetables like broccolini or shallots from the French Laundry garden topped with smoked meats like Hobb’s ham or poached egg. Main courses include prime beef strip-loin with fava beans and baby leeks or more high-end Roasted beef bone marrow that comes with a $9 supplement. Desert includes house favorites like pannacotta and Basque cake with bright cherries and Chantilly cream.
Last Word
Casual Keller dining room offers daily rotating 4-course menu of house-favored specialties that’s easier to get into than Bouchon or French Laundry.
