Chez Panisse Restaurant and Café
1517 Shattuck Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94709-1516
(510) 548-5525
A little bit about Chez Panisse
Chez Panisse opened its doors in 1971, founded by Alice Waters and a group of idealistic friends. A neighborhood bistro, it is named after Honoré Panisse, a character in Marcel Pagnol’s 1930s movie trilogy about waterfront life in Marseille (Marius, Fanny, and César), as an homage to the sentiment, comedy, and informality of these classic films.
From the beginning, Alice and her partners tried to do things the way they would like them done at a dinner party at home, with generosity and attention to detail. The Restaurant, located downstairs, is open for dinner Monday through Saturday, by reservation only. The fixed dinner menu consists of three to four courses. The menu which changes every night is designed to be appropriate to the season and composed to feature the finest sustainably-sourced, organic, and seasonal ingredients including meat, fish, and poultry.
Alice and Chez Panisse are convinced that the best-tasting food is organically and locally grown and harvested in ways that are ecologically sound by people who are taking care of the land for future generations. The quest for such ingredients has always determined the restaurant’s cuisine. Since 1971, Chez Panisse has invited diners to partake of the immediacy and excitement of vegetables just out of the garden, fruit right off the branch, and fish straight out of the sea. In doing so, Chez Panisse has established a network of nearby suppliers who, like the restaurant, are striving for both environmental harmony and delicious flavor.
~
I cannot believe I almost forgot to share my incredible experience at Alice Water's Chez Pannise!
My foodies and I had this reservation for the better part of a month so the countdown was excruciating. I checked their website daily like a stalker even though they post their menu a week at a time. I have to give our escort Doug props for in true gentlemanly fashion he dropped us ladies at the door before finding parking rather than jumping out of the car while it was still running leaving us to fend for ourselves. All of which would've been understandable, even acceptable...but that's not our Doug.
The old house that Chez Panisse takes residence in is absolutely charming. The entry is narrow and funnels you into a beautiful open, candlelit space. The walls are papered with daily menus from over the years and the kitchen is wide open exposing the heart of Chez Panisse. Upstairs you will find the quaint cafe which is barely more than a gorgeous bar and beautiful views who needs any more than that.
I still can't get over how incredible it is that the menu changes every day. They have two seatings each evening so everyone arrives and leaves around the same time. I never considered what a different vibe that creates. Your candlelit discussions aren't interrupted by all the anticipated comings and food coma goings and since Chez Panisse decides what you are having, the noise of picky orderers and a chaotic kitchen was nonexistent. You are presented with a meal list and a wine list. Normally I think part of the fun of dining with friends is when everyone orders something different allowing us all to experience as much as possible but, there is something to be said about just showing up and letting someone else take care of you...and of course not having to share. They only decision I had to make for myself was what kind of wine I wanted with dinner, although they offer a pairing. All I said was big & peppery and I had a fantastic red in my hand in a matter of moments. The ambiance enhancers (staff) slipped in and out undetected but as soon as you had so much as a sparkle in your eye indicating you had a question they were by your side offering their wisdom and guidance.
The Menu
An Aperitif and Roasted Almonds
Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio
Local King Salmon Baked In Fig Leaves With Sweet And Sour Fig Relish
Grilled Paine Farm Squab With Chanterelle Mushrooms, Romano Beans, And Squab Liver Toast
Summer Berry Clafoutis With Lemon Verbena Ice Cream
{I'll give you a second to wipe the drool from your keyboard}
...
..
.
I am a fan of everything tomato (well except for stewed, I have no idea why). I pop cherry tomatoes like candy, eat early girls like apples, and sprinkle heirlooms with salt and pepper as a snack or a side dish ~ they are a staple of my summer diet. So I was delighted to see that our introduction to Chez Panisse was through tomato carpaccio.
The niceties began with salmon. I like salmon but I don't looove salmon which some people believe should cause me to be stripped of my Californian card. I thought this salmon was to die for...so you know it's sensational!
The crush came with squab...as well as some seriously off color jokes!
and we fell in love over clafoutis...who wouldn't?
I will never forget our evening together Chez Panisse...
"Parting is such sweet sorrow."
The old house that Chez Panisse takes residence in is absolutely charming. The entry is narrow and funnels you into a beautiful open, candlelit space. The walls are papered with daily menus from over the years and the kitchen is wide open exposing the heart of Chez Panisse. Upstairs you will find the quaint cafe which is barely more than a gorgeous bar and beautiful views who needs any more than that.
I still can't get over how incredible it is that the menu changes every day. They have two seatings each evening so everyone arrives and leaves around the same time. I never considered what a different vibe that creates. Your candlelit discussions aren't interrupted by all the anticipated comings and food coma goings and since Chez Panisse decides what you are having, the noise of picky orderers and a chaotic kitchen was nonexistent. You are presented with a meal list and a wine list. Normally I think part of the fun of dining with friends is when everyone orders something different allowing us all to experience as much as possible but, there is something to be said about just showing up and letting someone else take care of you...and of course not having to share. They only decision I had to make for myself was what kind of wine I wanted with dinner, although they offer a pairing. All I said was big & peppery and I had a fantastic red in my hand in a matter of moments. The ambiance enhancers (staff) slipped in and out undetected but as soon as you had so much as a sparkle in your eye indicating you had a question they were by your side offering their wisdom and guidance.
The Menu
An Aperitif and Roasted Almonds
Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio
Local King Salmon Baked In Fig Leaves With Sweet And Sour Fig Relish
Grilled Paine Farm Squab With Chanterelle Mushrooms, Romano Beans, And Squab Liver Toast
Summer Berry Clafoutis With Lemon Verbena Ice Cream
{I'll give you a second to wipe the drool from your keyboard}
...
..
.
I am a fan of everything tomato (well except for stewed, I have no idea why). I pop cherry tomatoes like candy, eat early girls like apples, and sprinkle heirlooms with salt and pepper as a snack or a side dish ~ they are a staple of my summer diet. So I was delighted to see that our introduction to Chez Panisse was through tomato carpaccio.
The niceties began with salmon. I like salmon but I don't looove salmon which some people believe should cause me to be stripped of my Californian card. I thought this salmon was to die for...so you know it's sensational!
The crush came with squab...as well as some seriously off color jokes!
and we fell in love over clafoutis...who wouldn't?
I will never forget our evening together Chez Panisse...
"Parting is such sweet sorrow."
