My boyfriend and I came here for dinner, obvi it's an iconic restaurant and being a Chef he was very excited to eat here. First off the restaurant itself was super cute. Very homey and comfortable. They gave us an amazing corner table and it almost even felt private. Very cute for a date night. The service was impeccable and everyone was beyond friendly. Now the real star of the show was the food. Everything dish we ate was delicious. I really don't know what else I can say tbh. The menu changes daily so I posted a pic so you can see what we ate. No notes, no comments. My boyfriend had the wine pairing as well and enjoyed everything. Definitley a little pricey but the food was amazing so it's a great place for a special occasion. read more

Chez Panisse - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Chez Panisse, a restaurant I've always grown up hearing about, yet never dared to dine at. Growing up in Berkeley, most people are well aware of the infamous restaurant that focuses on farm-to-table dishes and sustainable ingredients. When friends or classmates would tell me they dined here, I was like, " Wow, so boujee. Fast forward to today, and I had the opportunity to go for my Mom's birthday! My family made reservations, which are hard to come by. They need to be made well in advance. We arrived before our 8:30pm reservation and, unfortunately, weren't seated until after 9:00pm. Once inside the dining area, it was lively and loud, intimate, and somewhat more formal compared to their upstairs cafe. Service from all staff was kind; the host occasionally stopped by; our food was delivered, and we were checked on throughout. It was also lovely to peek inside the open-air kitchen. If you dine in their dining area, it's prix-fixe. On my Mom's birthday, they had a salad, pasta, steak, and ice cream. The salad was good--I don't eat mushrooms, but found it tasty and a bit over-dressed. My favorite was the pasta, a little spice. Warm from the noodles but cold from the cheese--the shrimp was nicely cooked. For our entrée, we had a rib-eye. I don't eat steak, but for this occasion I did--it was good, but because I rarely eat beef, I couldn't compare it to other rib-eyes I'd had. The vegetables were good and quite fresh. I gave the ice cream to my family since I don't have dairy, but the fruit was great! Overall I enjoyed more dishes than others. The bread and drinks were also good. I'd be curious to come back for a different prix-fixe. Chez Panisse is a must visit once restaurant in my opinion--whether you're local to the area or live in the Bay Area. Alice Waters is famous and has won a multitude of awards for a reason. I'm happy to have finally dined here and celebrated my Mom's birthday. The restaurant is off Shattuck Ave. with street parking around. read more

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Always a great time and a great meal, whether you're upstairs in the café or downstairs in the restaurant. My absolute favorite things are always the soups, desserts, and candied Meyer lemon peel. Menus change daily for the downstairs restaurant and are posted in advance on the website, so that you can adjust your reservations once the menus are posted if you have any objections. Definitely make reservations a month out as soon as they're available for downstairs, but they can switch you to the upstairs café if you don't like what's being served in the downstairs restaurant that day. We took advantage of this option because one of our party does not eat fish or lamb. The café upstairs is more casual and items can be ordered à la carte from the seasonal menu. I enjoyed my Sonoma duck breast and carrot soup, but the winner was the cardamom mousse. I highly recommend any dish that features fresh produce, especially the bowl of fresh fruit for dessert. read more

Chez Panisse - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I started with a little gem salad, with cucumbers and cherry tomatoes than was really tasty. I paired it with a Rosé from Provence, that was delightful with strawberry and peach notes with a perfect acidity. As a second course I ordered baked King Salmon, which was a tasteless, I fixed it with pepper and salt, and I paired it with a Beaujolais and it was splendid. I finished it with a Sauterńe and a coffee stracciatela that were magnificent. The ambiance is perfect, the place is beautiful and the staff is kind. read more

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This review is for Cafe Panisse: 4.5/5 All the dishes we ordered here were really great and we're glad to have this cafe available as a more casual alternative to downstairs. The pasta was delicious, all the fish and meat were cooked perfectly, and the desserts were satisfying. The prices were expensive though and there were no standout dishes in my opinion. We made a reservation for 7 for Friday lunch. 2 of us had to cancel last minute, but the staff were really nice about it and we didn't have to pay the $50 cancellation fee, which I really appreciated. The restaurant was beautiful and comfortable. Service was super friendly. read more

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Very excited to finally got a reservation at the downstairs restaurant. We went for my sister's birthday. It was a set dinner for $135 per person. The wine pairing is also available for $85. The food is very good and fresh, the service was also impeccable. The kitchen is an open kitchen. I looked at the food prep while walking to the restroom. There was a lot of food that we didn't get to eat, they were for the upstairs cafe. So it looks like the cafe is a good place to try without being limited to the set menu. Parking is street meters. I also learned there is no handicap access to the upstairs cafe, but you can call and they can set up a table downstairs with the cafe food if you cannot get upstairs. Sounds very considerate. read more

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The people who work here, in my interactions with them, have been rude and entitled in the worst way. It's really too bad. read more

A gem! Food: 10/10. Each dish was fresh and tasty. The dessert deserves a special shout out, probably top 3 desserts I've had Service: 10/10. Staff was friendly and quick. Each course was well timed and did not feel rushed Ambiance: cute, warm charm. Cozy vibes read more

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It was my wife's birthday so I invited a couple of her besties and we all went to celebrate with all and had an absolutely incredible meal. It's reputation proceeded so I knew everything would taste on point. We all got seated. The restaurant was very busy. The staff was extremely helpful and accommodating. it was very busy. We didn't go on the weekend, but I have a feeling that they are booked all the time. The plates came out with all their different flavors and wonderments, and we all just sat and enjoyed slowly each bite and tried to taste all the subtle qualities of it. It was sort of a fun game and adventure and a wonderful place. I completely and highly recommend this restaurant. It's no wonder that Michelin loves coming in here and talking about how the standard stays high but changes only in new flavor. Thanks read more

Chez Panisse - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Watch the Netflix video (link below) to fully understand the significance of this, the birthplace of farm-to-table dining and result of decades of stubborn dedication. No wonder every mouthful is perfectly fresh and delicious; beautifully plated by dedicated staff. The Masumoto peaches, when in season, are absolutely perfect and unadorned simplicity. The architecture is delightfully art deco, with pleasant light fixtures and windows. The roasted endive with white bean purée and toasted sage was incredible. The pork loin with red flint polenta was tender and subtly aromatic. The non-alcohol fermented rhododendron tea was exceptional and paired well with savory dishes. https://www.netflix.com/us/title/81712001 (4th episode in series) read more

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Extremely delicious. I had credit to use if I booked a reservation on resy. I checked and saw a lunch time available at Cafe Panisse on a Thursday. It was lovely and surprisingly very full. I was a little late but the staff was extremely kind and accommodating. The food is very fresh. The produce looks amazing and everything was really wonderful. I will say, even their espresso was delicious. I would love to come here again. read more

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I wanted to love Café Chez Panisse and my expectations were high. I had dined at the downstairs restaurant, but had never been to the café. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, and the servers were very friendly and attentive. I had the pasta with pesto and olives. It was good, however, the pesto did not have very much flavor and the pasta was a little too firm. The olives did brighten the dish quite a bit. I was famished, but was only able to finish half. My guest had the duck with squash purée and some greens. The duck was perfectly cooked in little medallions and the squash purée and greens were very flavorful and quite lovely. We both had salads which were fresh, but nothing special. For dessert we had the dates with mandarins and the upside down cake with a large dollop of crema. The upside down cake was dense and fell a bit flat with flavor. The dates with Mandarin orange wedges were lackluster. I believe there were four dates total, which actually were exceptional-and an equivalent to two mandarin oranges, sliced into wedges and placed into a golden compote. The mandarins were sweet and tart, but we were hoping they were going to be something special. As far as the 17% service charge (which is in addition to the tip).. perhaps pay the staff a higher wage rather than making your customers confused and question the charge. It potentially leaves patrons with a bad taste as their last impression of the restaurant. Again, the ambience was very warm and inviting, and the staff provided fantastic service, but some of the food did not meet expectations. Will be back to give them another try. read more

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Café review: 4.25: Farm to table indeed - some of the freshest food I've had, and more approachable despite its reputation in the culinary world. Went to Chez Panisse on a Saturday evening, snagging one of the last reservations. I've always been a huge fan of their approach to food and the way they source ingredients. Their Café is both cozy and upscale, almost reminded me of a French restaurant x izakaya. On the cusp of spring, the menu was a nod to the last of winter (citrus, fennel) but the first of spring veggies and flavors (asparagus, mint, pea). For a party of two, we ordered: * Cauliflower and beets with Romesco Sauce (7.5/10) - I loved the freshness of all the vegetables and the lightness of the romesco. I was just looking for a tad more seasoning. * Roasted fennel, caper, and fried rosemary pizza (8.5/10): Absolutely loved how crispy and airy the crust was, and despite no sauce, the pizza was light and filled with flavor. The fennel itself was mild, but the capers added some salt, and the fried rosemary stole the show without upstaging the other ingredients. Ate a bit dry but very yummy. * Ricotta and Green Garlic Ravioli (9.5/10): as our waiter said, spring in a bowl. The pasta quality was immaculate - perfectly thin and light, surrounding creamy ricotta. The filling was so bright with lemon, and the asparagus was cooked perfectly al dente. I didn't taste as much mint/pea, and my only critique was that that filling was piped in such a small space that getting the right bite of pasta ratio to filling was a challenge. * Chocolate Custard with Chantilly cream (8/10): the chocolate custard was creamy and to me felt perfectly in the middle of dark and milk chocolate. The chantilly cream raised the flavor and lightness another level! Overall the food couldn't have better honored its vegetables and really let them sing; my only note was a pinch more of salt or boost of flavor in every dish (I was grateful for the mini sea salt and pepper grinder at each table). Service was nicely paced, with one main waiter but a number of folks rotating to serve us but space between the courses. Overall, we spent nearly $90 per person with two glasses of wine. Lovely experience with great food, just wanted to be a bit more blown away for price/hype for the full 5! read more

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I've been hearing such great things about this restaurant and was finally able to come in and try it. Their menu apparently changes weekly, and our party of four had a reservation for Saturday night. The place definitely has a classic look and feel. Everything we tried that evening was delicious. The corkage fee is reasonable at $40 per bottle of wine, and the service was flawless. We will definitely return--perhaps to try their café lunch menu. read more

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It has been many years since I last ate here. So when a friend suggested coming here for lunch, I was looking forward to it! Parking was fairly easy, there were 2 hour parking on the street just a block or two away. Ambiance is still wonderful. Service is still great. Food is still the tops! It's the original farm to table approach - Alice Waters started the movement! They took our drink order fairly quickly and then brought us a bread. We were famished so we ate up the bread! The beet salad and the baked goat cheese salad were both amazing. My daughter and I shared the carrot and rutabaga soup - it was good but not that innovative. I had the roasted pork loin which I didn't really like. Meat was chewy and not as flavorful. The rigatoni with chanterelles was absolutely delicious. I would highly recommend this dish. The Moroccan chicken and the rockfish were fine but to me, the pasta was the star entree! My daughter and her friend loved the apple galette. Highly recommend! read more

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The OG of all restaurants in our book. We went to the cafe after our courthouse wedding ceremony in 2002, and we returned for our anniversary last night and we're still so impressed. The service is impeccable, the food is fresh and healthy, and the ambiance is lovely. We ordered the bread and anchovies, baked goat cheese salad, kind salmon, and grilled chicken and it was all perfectly cooked, nicely seasoned, and well plated. The best part was dessert - I'm so glad we saved room for it! We got the lemon ice cream on a meringue with a blueberry compote and it was to die for. The textures and flavors came together beautifully and it was not too sweet or heavy. We were tempted to lick the plate clean. Definitely our favorite special occasion spot in the Bay Area. read more

Chez Panisse - Dessert - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Exquisite. That is all. Bucket list stop for us as we continue in our 25 years of marriage and culinary adventuring! Seemed like a gift that we were able to grab a lunch reservation. Service, impeccable, every bite of food was as delicious as we had anticipated. Tried the seasonal Ricotta and Fava Bean Salad.., if you see it, snag it! Then shared the chicken and halibut! read more

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Been here a few times now and it's always a decent time. While reservations are hard to come by, it is intuitive/straightforward how to go about it. The food is always well prepared, and the menu is usually worth the price. However, as a fine dining place this has fallen out of my favorites because the last time I went, nothing was really impressive or innovative. The salad, the fish, the meat were all alright but nothing really stood out or was coherent in its narrative. It felt like 2-3 people each picked an item from a standard restaurant menu and I am just eating them one by one -- does that make sense? Hoping to be wowed the next time I come in. read more

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We celebrated our 4-year anniversary at Chez Panisse, and it was an unforgettable experience. Every course was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. The flavors throughout the meal were incredibly well balanced, and each dish felt intentional. The standout for me was the lamb. I don't typically enjoy lamb because I find it can have a strong gamey flavor, but this was, without a doubt, some of the best I've ever had. It was perfectly cooked, and every element on the plate went together beautifully. Since it's a coursed dinner, the meal does take time, but that's part of the experience. It never felt rushed, and it was well worth it. We left already looking forward to coming back. read more

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I feel like everyone needs to enjoy California cuisine at least once and the best place to do it at is Chez Panisse. Opened and owned by the pioneer Alice Waters in the 1970s, this restaurant is an icon in the popularization of farm-to-table food. The restaurant is split into 2 dining areas: main area and the cafe. Both of which I recommend you get a reservation for. my husband and I came here for our anniversary and booked a table at the main dining area. The menu changes often (either daily or weekly). Our menu is in the photos attached. It's a 4 course meal with a little hor d'oeuvre at the beginning plus bread and an apertif. The apertif is normally alcoholic with Prosecco but you can request non-alcoholic, which is what we did. They also have an assortment of non-alcoholic (NA) beverages and cocktails. I got the NA white negroni and my husband got a NA beer. The food is excellent and you can definitely tell it's made fresh with fresh ingredients, no preservatives or additives. Literally straight from the local farms to the kitchen to your plates. The staff are accommodating and helpful. The ambiance is similar to the ambiance of any restaurant: some chatter but you can have a conversation. As with most of these high-end restaurants, you really only need to go once just for the experience. The cafe is probably the place where you can return to repeatedly. read more

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Making reservations for the cafe was very easy through Resy. I was able to snag a table for three on a Saturday at lunch time a couple days before. Parking in this area isn't the easiest. There's 2 hour residential parking about 5 min away. There is also metered street parking. I would allot a little extra time to find parking and to walk to Chez Pannise. The exact cafe menu isn't posted online. But the sample menu online is very close. For example the actual menu had multiple dessert items with persimmons (in season for November). The cafe is actually fairly affordable considering the atmosphere, farm to fork fresh ingredients, and the reputation of Chez Pannise! Each entree ranges around $30-45. The total for three people after tax and gratuity was $160. Service was exceptional! The restrooms upstairs are at the end of the narrow hallway right before the cafe upstairs entrance. My friend and I both ordered the halibut while her husband ordered the pork lion. We were checked in very frequently. They kept our waters topped off. The presentation of the dishes was beautiful! The complimentary bread was very soft! I was quite full after the meal. Unfortunately many of the desserts aren't designed to be taken to go. It was a wonderful experience! I had been wanting to try Chez Pannise since the early 2010s so I'm very happy to have finally gotten to try it. I'd love to come back for dinner in the downstairs restaurant. read more

Chez Panisse - Halibut - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I first heard about Chez Panisse from a friend who highly recommended it when I mentioned I'd be visiting Berkeley. She told me her friend's son had once worked there and that it was a Michelin-rated restaurant. While it no longer has a Michelin star, the history of the place piqued my interest and I decided to try to get a reservation on short notice. I was mildly disappointed that a table didn't open up in the downstairs dining room (prix fixe menu), but I was definitely still happy to snag a spot upstairs, especially on a Friday night. The menu changes daily but I'd heard about the famous baked goat cheese salad and knew I had to try it. In fact, while I asked my server for his recommendations, I ended up going with what I was most interested in. The baked Andante Dairy goat cheese with garden lettuces was absolutely to die for. Honestly, I could have eaten a giant portion of that for dinner and been perfectly content. I have actually tried to bake some goat cheese since this meal - LOL! For my entree, I chose the grilled Riverdog Farm lamb with potato-sorrel gratin, spinach, Tokyo turnips, and tapenade. The lamb was very moist and overall the dish was decent but unfortunately not memorable. Even so, having the opportunity to dine at Chez Panisse felt like checking off a culinary bucket list item. Alice Waters' restaurant is known as one of the pioneers of California cuisine and the farm-to-table movement. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, with wood accents and that cozy-but-sophisticated Berkeley vibes. That said, I thought the service left a little to be desired, and I really was not thrilled that the table next to me kept striking up conversation just because I was dining solo (and seated so close)... so much so that I actually skipped dessert. All in all, prices are definitely on the higher side (this is a place for a true foodie or a special-occasion kind of place) and while I enjoyed my meal, it didn't quite blow me away the way it is hyped up. read more

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Chez Panisse isn't just a restaurant, it's a place that celebrates nature, farmers, and fresh produce. As one of the birth places of the farm to table movement, Chez Panisse has maintained their drive and you can tell they really care about their mission of seasonal sustainable produce. While the price might be on the higher side for a prix fixe menu, I think the experience is worth it. All of the food was amazing but what really stood out was the service. It was comparable to a Michelin star restaurant while maintaining an extremely friendly homey atmosphere. Our server was attentive, was detailed about where the food and wine was from, and gave explanations for each wine pairing which I really appreciated. One of my favorite wines was the Chez Panisse Zinfandel that is locally produced in Napa by Green and Red Vineyard for the restaurant. It's affordable, yet complex with a good balance of acidity and fruity sweetness. While I might not be back in the main restaurant for a while, I'll probably try the cafe since the menu there is also very affordable. read more

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I was so excited to come here, this place is so iconic. Well, it definitely lived up to its reputation. It has that old-fashioned, white glove service, but in a very relaxed and friendly setting. I stopped by for lunch at the cafeteria upstairs and thoroughly enjoyed it. The food is extremely fresh, seasonal and excellently prepared. Started the meal with a sparkling riesling then enjoyed a leek, potato, arugula, and pecorino pizza. Also tried the pasta with sweet peas, crème fraîche, and basil. Everything was extremely delicious. I will definitely love to come back here again. read more

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beautiful experience for the senses!!! so so glad i tried it out rosso di chioggia chicory salad with porcini mushrooms: the mushrooms were a highlight, flavored so well!! the vinaigrette was a little too balsamic-y for my taste but still very refreshing cavatelli with braised lamb: YUMMM i wish this was a bigger portion because although it was hefty and filling, i loved the taste. the lamb was so so tender and pasta (resembling carrots) was perfectly al dente. kind of reminded me of cucina enoteca's braised lamb pasta crusted albacore: it's hard to make crusted albacore exceptionally elevated, but this one was still good, and had some crispy almonds that paired well with the garlicy potatoes, green beans, and fennel. hearty portioning here ile flottante with passionfruit, pomegranate, raspberries: i love a creamy x fruity dessert and this one was light enough to complement the rest of the meal. the meringue was soo fluffy like whipped cream, and the pomegranates and raspberries were so good with the rest of the soup (? for lack of a better word) with caramel drizzle. passionfruit sugar cookie SO GOOD so thin and crispy and flavorful. we also started off with some crab cabbage chip (?), an aperitif made of prosecco, a huge half of bread (SO FLAKY), and ended with mint tea. elderflower drink is also amazing too,, reminded me of a hugo spritz! staff were so attentive and friendly, open to chatting about the history of the restaurant and even let us explore the open kitchen as they were closing. there is an alton brown dupe with similar energy employed here. overall every dish had elements that shined so brightly! read more

Chez Panisse - apps - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Super excited to dine here, I have always heard great things! Had a reservation at the cafe upstairs and my party of 10 sat in a booth lined against the wall. The ambiance is great, the place had great natural lighting and the dark interior made it feel very cozy and homey. Chez Panisse specializes in California cuisine and they do it exceptionally well. My table shared a few salads for the table and for me, the stand-out was the little gem lettuce -- perfect way to start the meal. For entrees, I had the roasted pork loin and it was amazing! The pork was cooked perfectly, tender, and not dry in the slightest. It was paired wonderfully with broccolini and a sweet potato gratin I believe. For dessert, I had the pear sorbet and... wow. Only 4/5 stars because I felt like I expected the service to be better for fine-dining. read more

Chez Panisse - Pear sorbet - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I recently dined at Chez Panisse in Berkeley, and it exceeded all expectations. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a cozy, Craftsman-style interior that makes you feel right at home. Every dish was a celebration of fresh, seasonal ingredients--our halibut and braised lamb were perfectly prepared and full of vibrant flavor. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable without being intrusive, adding to a relaxed, elegant experience. Dessert, a rhubarb galette with ice cream, was the perfect finish. Chez Panisse is truly a Berkeley gem and lives up to its legendary reputation. read more

After my dining experience, it makes sense why they lost their Michelin star. Granted, I opted to try their café upstairs first as my first experience here. However, my café experience has dissuaded me from trying their restaurant downstairs. Upon entry, the downstairs lobby was packed and you need to walk upstairs to check in to the café. The foyer upstairs is nonexistent so people just stand by tables waiting to get seated. The seating is very cramped, and even the cafe was surprisingly packed, although it was a Saturday night. It was so cramped that our server had to physically move the table outwards so I could slide in, then they slid the table back in to lock me in. Reservation-wise, we had no issues getting reservations on Resy. My husband and I opted to trying one appetizer: summer squash and corn soup. For our main, I got the bucatini with mint-pistachio pesto, and he got the grilled grass-fed bavette with shoestring potatoes and chile butter. Everything was quite bland and unremarkable. We did also get some wine: I got champagne, and my husband got the nebbiolo fenocchio. Wine list was decent. +/- squash and corn soup: not bad, but extremely lukewarm, wish it came hot. Light and sweet soup, more corn forward than anything else. $13 - bucatini: mint overpowered the pistachio pesto, cherry tomatoes were fresh, and the few pieces of broccoli were nice. It was a relatively bland, minty pasta. I took it home to doctor it up with some additional seasoning. Bucatini kind of clumped together, and was cold, so it tasted like it was sat out. - bavette: our server did not ask us how we wanted the steak cooked even though we later heard him ask the table next to us later if they wanted it medium rare. Presumably, the steak should've been medium rare but it was definitely rare. Regardless, it was a tougher cut and hard to chew through. The steak was extremely underseasoned and desperately needed some salt, while the shoestring potatoes were over-salted. The chile butter just tasted like normal butter, and the accompanying peperonata was underwhelming as everything tasted like just bell peppers. Dessert we tried: +/- plum galette with vanilla ice cream: Not bad, plum was nice and tart and the crust was flakey. Wish they warmed it up, though. It seemed like they just served it as is, as we saw the whole plum galette pie just sat out in the open on the open kitchen counter (with nothing covering it) on our way out after we finished dining... $15 +/- bittersweet chocolate profiterole with caramel sauce and toasted pecans: classic, can't go wrong with some chocolate and caramel sauce right? $15 Service was underwhelming, and frankly, our server was just apathetic. Maybe it's because they have the mandatory 17% service charge anyways? Overall, it was just underwhelming, food was bland and lukewarm as if they were all sitting on a warmer, and we will not be back. read more

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Walked into the cafe at opening on a Friday night without a reservation and luckily they were able to squeeze us in! All the servers were super friendly and great at providing recommendations as this was our first time dining. Everything we ordered was DELICIOUS! The little gem beet salad, pizza di michele, rigatoni, and pluot galette were all so yummy in their own ways. It's super cute inside as well and an open kitchen format which is really nice! I'd highly recommend making a reservation or walking in at opening and checking out this place!! read more

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We hadn't been to CP-down in over a decade and were looking forward to a delicious dinner. After a five-minute wait at the front podium (before being seated), we were offered a choice of tables. Menus were already at our places. A carafe of sparking water was brought, along with a one-page wine list and wine book. An aperitif was served: prosecco, gin and herbs, plus a basket of two warm Acme torpedo rolls with sweet butter. An amuse bouche arrived: crostini with fresh burrata, diced melon, prosciutto with drizzled herb oil. Shortly after, we received our 1st course (Although a wine list and book were placed at our table, no one had asked if we wanted any wine!) We told our server we wanted to do the wine-pairing, they quickly brought glasses, and the sommelier arrived to describe and pour the first pairing (no one apologized for the error). The first course was slow-baked wild king salmon with Japanese cucumbers, tiny cherry tomatoes, frisée and assorted herbs in a vinaigrette, and basil mayonnaise. I felt the frisée was overdressed, almost swimming in the vinaigrette (see photo), plus it tasted a bit salty and acidic. I wish the portion of salmon had been a bit more generous (each diners plate had varying amounts). The first course wine was a 2023 "Pere Mara" an organic Spanish brut riserva rosé, dry with a very faint strawberry aroma (?) which cut thru the acidity of the frisée dressing. For the second course, spaghetti alla chitarra with wild fennel, pecorino and saffron. Additions were toasted bread crumbs and pine nuts (not mentioned on the menu). The fennel was barely detectable, nor was the saffron; the dish was a bit oily (see photo). The pine nuts were a welcome addition. The second wine was a 2024 "Lucido" an Italian white from Sicily (citrusy scent, slightly minerally) which again, helped cut thru the oiliness. The third course was Grilled Sonoma County duck breast; with Fioretto cauliflower, new potatoes, morel mushrooms and green olive tapenade. This dish was much more satisfying than the previous two. I didn't feel the tapenade added anything to the dish. The generously portioned duck breast was cooked perfectly. I particularly liked the "Fioretto"cauliflower. Having never heard of it before, it's now my favorite cauliflower, reminding me somewhat of broccoli. The wine for this course was a 2019 Vidente Dao, a red-blend from Portugal. It went very well with the duck; having a faint cherry aroma, smooth tannins and a tiny prickling on the tongue from some spice (cinnamon?!). Upon finishing this course, we were all comfortably full, with one more course to go. Dessert was a noyau panna cotta with raspberries, and apricots roasted in the wood oven. Definitely the best panna cotta I've ever tasted! Soooo wiggly and smooth, with a delicate almond flavor. The raspberry sauce was brilliant and intense, complimenting the almond flavor of the panna cotta. A puff pastry batonette was beside the dessert. It looked (and tasted) slightly overbaked, but I was undecided whether it was done to offer contrast to the sweetness of the dessert, or simply an error. Dessert wine was a 2018 Badia di Morrora Vin Santo, unctuously sweet and raisiny. While enjoying dessert, we were served glasses of hot mint tea. Immediately after the dessert plates were removed, a small plate of mignardise materialized. The tiny, chocolate shortbread bites and candied orange peels were delicious with the mint tea. It was slightly discordant that the plate used to serve the petit sweets was 180-degrees different from the Heathware used for the rest of the meal. I believe it was used for a reason, but I didn't agree with the concept. Coming into the dinner, I had mixed feelings about the value of a wine pairing versus selecting our own bottles. After having experienced the CP sommelier's selections, I appreciate his choices and would never have tried these wines on my own (except for the vin santo). Our party was disconcerted to be served the first course without being asked about any wine! This was an enjoyable, albeit, expensive dinner. I feel it somewhat overpriced for the "experience," with a higher weekend price not being justified. I did appreciate being able to learn about new wines, they enhanced the evening. All in all, "CP Down" is very nice for a special occasion; but the plebeian me prefers "CP Up" for its equally delicious food and better value. read more

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So glad I finally got to try Chez Panisse cafe! The cafe is upstairs and the original restaurant is downstairs. We got the ricotta and fig toast appetizer (excellent), squash pizza, and halibut. Presentation was beautiful and service was great. The menus change daily with what fresh produce they have. They offer still or sparkling water for free. You'll definitely need to make reservations on resy. With the new Amex $100 quarterly benefit, this is a no brainer. read more

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Chez Panisse is my favorite fine dining restaurant. Known for introducing California cuisine to the mainstream, I love their beautifully printed menus that are constantly updated. This is the third time I've gone for my birthday, and it's always so divine. (1) Cantaloupe and cucumber salad with whipped crème fresh and prosciutto. While the ingredients in this dish were simple, every ingredient was selected to perfection. The cantaloupe was only lightly sweet and the cucumber was not watery with a delightful crunch. The mint and Perslane added a pop of flavor and texture, and the crème fresh added a pinch of salt to highlight the freshness of the dish. (2) Locally caught halibut ravioli in a light vegetable broth. The confit was a burst of flavor. The confit process locked all of the umami in, and its acidity complimented the brinyness of the halibut. (3) Paine Farm squab with red wine reduction, snap peas, and housemade harissa. Raised in a farm in Sonoma County, the squab had a dark meat flavor similar to duck. It was perfectly tender with a light herby char on top. The harissa added a light toastyness to the duck, and the red wine reduction was a smooth rich finish. (Everyone's favorite!) (4) Basque pie with berry compote and vanilla whipped cream. Crumbly cookie crust similar to an almond cookie. Light custard in the center. As someone who loves pie crust, this was perfect. read more

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We ate at the restaurant some time ago and I've been meaning to leave a review. It was a special family celebration for our party of three. The food was tasty to be sure, but two stars are missing because the waiter was awful. His name was Gianni and he was condescending and brusque with us. He behaved as through he was irritated having to be there for the whole service. I realized after the fact that, ironically, my mother had mistakenly tipped him on top of the tip already included in the check and it was NOT deserved. It was enough to bring the evening down and tarnish the experience. Unless he's a career waiter and still there, I hope the restaurant has tightened up their standards. It is unfortunate when a questionable hire compromises the guest experience. read more

Why doesn't Yelp have a separate entry for Chez Panisse Cafe? It's quite a bit different from downstairs! Chez Panisse Café is one of those rare places where every bite makes you wonder why it doesn't already have a Michelin star. The food is that consistently good, if not better, than some starred restaurants I've tried. I first dined here about 30 years ago! I instantly fell in love then, and still love it now. The levain bread from Acme, perfectly crusty outside, tender inside, and full of flavor. The goat cheese salad still spectacular after all these years. The bavette steak with romano beans and tomato confit was cooked to absolute perfection--simple but elevated in a way that shows true mastery in the kitchen. And then there was dessert: the honey chantilly cake with fresh strawberries and crème fraiche- Honestly one of the most divine things I've ever eaten--airy, flavorful, and unforgettable. service was professional and ambience was lovely! read more

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It's been over 30 years since I last visited this iconic spot, which opened in 1971. Alice Waters is an OG chef who helped pioneer the organic, farm-to-table, locally sourced, in-season menu phenomenon, often dubbed "California Cuisine". Housed in a beautiful Craftsman-style home, the restaurant occupies the ground floor, with the cafe upstairs. The restaurant offers a 4-course set menu which changes daily and is $175; on Mondays there is 3-course menu for $135. Reservations are essential, so you basically reserve your date and then hope that you'll like the menu when it's posted later (every weekend). Alternatively, the cafe offers an a la carte menu and is also open for lunch; reservations still needed. Both spots are beautifully decorated in the Arts and Crafts style. I felt fortunate the menu on my reservation day included what I often order--beef. The dishes are unfussy, allowing the high-quality ingredients to shine. A wine pairing is optional, there is a wine list and non-alcoholic options also. Here is what my menu included: 1) an aperitif of Prosecco infused with Seville orange 2) a batard of bread and butter 3) green bean and porcini mushroom salad with hazelnuts and mint 4) pasta alla chitarra with eggplant caponata and ricotta 5) spit-roasted beef rib-eye with potato and garlic gratin, peas and carrots 6) creme caramel with peaches and raspberries. Everything course was delish, with perhaps the main course being my favourite. I mean, on paper it sound like beef, potatoes and veggies--steakhouse fare--but my goodness it was elevated. And before entering the restaurant, I smelled wood burning, perhaps from the spit. I think Chez Panisse had a Michelin star before, but seems to have eschewed the Michelin process to focus on its own culinary vision, which is to be applauded. It hasn't been around for this long for nothing! read more

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Was here during truffle week where we dined upstairs. We had the lamb, seafood dish, and a salad. Although the food was good and fresh in ingredients, it was lacking or maybe missing the truffle. Truffle is a very distinct flavor-- i taste it sprinkled on fries, infused in chips, shaved on top of mash potatoes.... but it was absent from this meal. Maybe I was too focused on the renown chef, the quality of farm to table ingredients but I left somewhat disappointed. Good service. read more

The ingredients come alive, they really make sure of it. Expensive, but worth the experience. Squab was epic. Obviously very pricey but really really satisfactory. The pacing of dishes coming out is on the slower side, but expected. read more

Chez Panisse, Alice Waters , are world renowned and for a reason. A concept. It is about the food but also about the experience and the environment. The building itself is part of it. https://www.jamesbeard.org/stories/step-into-the-2020-design-icon-award-winner We ate up in the cafe which is still a great experience It's Berkeley in its architecture harkening back to Chris Maybeck in style and Chris Alexander in function. all the way down to the door knobs. thought through. The service is unassuming in the Cafe. They are curating your experience but not guiding. The Food. The menu changes nightly based on the season and the moment. So your experience will be different but enjoy.. read more

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Food 4.5/5.0 Service 4.5/5.0 Value 3.5/5.0 Decor 4.0/5.0 Overall 4.5/5.0 Really solid food, service was great, and it didn't hurt that I liked the corner table we got. However, can't help but feel that this spot, which was just such a darling in even the early 2010s, has really been enveloped by the surge of more modernist iterations of fine dining over the past decade. Glad to get the chance to stop by though. read more

Service and atmosphere was stupendous, but food was not the most amazing after spending close to $200 per person. But I'm happy to say that I left with an excitement to cook with more leeks or chard, because those ingredients were my favorite bites of the night. The most surprising thing about this whole experience was that the butter provided with the bread wasn't warm or soft. For a such a fancy restaurant that seemed a bit strange. A fun experience, but maybe the best times were in the past. read more

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