My Lunch with Alice at Chez Panisse

By Best of LA   Apr 06, 2008

I told my server that whenever I am in the Bay area from Los Angeles, I always try to stop by and eat at Chez Panisse. Earlier that morning, I called for a table for one. After a quick drive into Berkeley, I was the first to arrive a little before the doors opened at 11:30am for the lunch crowd. I sat at a bench and watched as other patrons started to line up by the door. A nicely dressed, tall and slender, older gentleman who spied through the glass on the door, and who disappeared around the corner to try to find his way inside. A group of three, two men who worked together with one of their moms visiting. It was her first time... FULL REVIEW

Is Chez Panisse overrated?

By Between Meals   Jan 17, 2008

When Anthony Bourdain was in town last month for book signings and dinner, people who were at one of the events reported that when someone asked him what he considered the most overrated restaurant,... FULL REVIEW

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Chez Panisse does fried chicken right

By Between Meals   Aug 31, 2007

Anyone who follows this blog knows I love fried chicken , and that I'm generally disappointed in what I get in the Bay Area. Imagine my surprise -- and delight -- when I dropped into Chez Panisse... FULL REVIEW

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Chez Panisse Revisited with my BFF

By Best of LA   Jul 19, 2007

I meant to post my trip to Chez Panisse, but didn't because there were no photos. But then I thought to myself - eh... I'll just write about it! So a couple weeks ago, I was lucky to find myself at Alice Waters' restaurant again. My first visit to her famed restaurant was a solo lunch last summer. This time, I was able to share the experience with good friends DT and JC. There was a cancellation for a Saturday night dinner at nine o'clock. We were thrilled. It was my first time eating one of the prix fixe dinners, along with JC. The menus change daily with what's fresh from the local grocers and farmers, so I knew we were all in for a... FULL REVIEW

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My Dinner at Chez Panisse

By The Amateur Gourmet   Apr 19, 2007

According to Gourmet Magazine's most recent ranking, Chez Panisse is the second best restaurant in America. It's one notch below Alinea, which serves future food--high concept, experimental, visionary--and one notch above the French Laundry, which offers classic refinement and sophisticated... FULL REVIEW

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Chez Panisse

By Pengrin Eats   Aug 26, 2006

We had reservations for the cafe area, which is located upstairs. Service was great. I really enjoyed the freshness of the food and the unique fresh vegetables that we had. I really enjoyed most of the dishes but the dish that stuck out the most was the halibut tartare, avocado and beet salad. Sirloin roast was delicious. Also, the desserts were delicious too. FULL REVIEW

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Chez Panisse

By Fork & Bottle   Jan 13, 2006

Chez Panisse is, to me, all about getting great, fresh, perfect, local ingredients and getting them to show their stuff. So, you're not getting food that is super inventive, extremely costly from far away, or excessively time-consuming to prepare (not that they don't do what's necessary). FULL REVIEW

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Chez Panisse

By Fork & Bottle   Sep 21, 2005

Patrick Martins from Heritage Foods USA and Frank Reese from Good Shepherd Turkey Ranch hosted this artisinal dinner, along with Alice Waters FULL REVIEW

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Chez Panisse

By Sweet & Savory   Aug 30, 2005

When A and I visited my Brother in Berkeley, we stopped by Chez Panisse for an exciting lunch. It was the perfect season in Berkeley. The purple and white wisterias were in full bloom in the neighboring streets and around Chez Panisse. It was April and all the plants were vibrant green and thriving. The front patio, which I thought was really pretty, offered a cool retreat from the sun while we waited for a table. FULL REVIEW

Losing the Magic

By ChuckEats   Aug 03, 2005

My 2 previous experiences at Chez Panisse were 2 of my best dining experiences. I would always rank it higher than those Bay Area favorites of others - French Laundry, Masa’s (Ron Siegel’s old restaurant), Gary Danko, and La Folie. Eating at Chez Panisse for the first time is a revelation - how could food so simple taste so good? It’s an awakening - why must chefs fuss around with ingredients when the ingredients themselves can express themselves so much better? A revelation for the typical American taste bud. FULL REVIEW

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