Insulted by ‘Swank’

Regarding the letter from A. Venkatesh about “Napa Nest” (Feb. 16): I think Chef Thomas Keller would be insulted to have anyone describe his Yountville restaurant, the French Laundry, as “swank.” The dictionary uses these words to describe “swank”: ostentatious, swaggering, showy, pretentious and expensive. None of these words apply to the French Laundry. How about superb, elegant, understated, wonderful and fantastic?

MYRON D. OAKES

San Marino