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My wife and I were excited to celebrate our 12th anniversary at Chez Panisse for lunch in their cafe. Neither of us had ever been, but had always wanted to come here. The restaurant itself is very quaint inside. I made reservations through Resy where it asks if there is a celebration of any kind. I put down it was our anniversary. The food was good but not 'wow'. The rigatoni was definitely the best out of the courses chosen. I would have given the food 4 stars, but our server Ross dropped it down to a 3. He never checked in during any of our courses to see if we were happy with our meal. Strangely enough, I did hear him check in with the other tables close to ours. He also didn't smile and wasn't very pleasant towards us. Prior to ordering dessert, he knew we were celebrating an occasion, but asked if it was a birthday. I can't help but feel that we were discriminated against because we are lesbians. I've never felt this in any restaurant before this dinning experience, which is sad due to the caliber of restaurant and it being Berkeley.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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)
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
1 year ago
Went to celebrate my dear friend's birthday and it was a remarkable time. My carrot soup and bouillabaisse were outstanding as was my wife's beef dish. But for the corked tasting $33 glass of wine that was immediately replaced everything was just amazing. While the meal came with a hefty price tag, it might have been one of the best meals in my recent memory. The ambiance was tip top as was the service. In all a memorable experience was had by all! read more
okay what's not to love about chez panisse came here for a birthday celebration with my bf and grabbed a reservation for 8pm. as a note, there's both a restaurant (downstairs) and cafe (upstairs). you can make reservations for both but if you're doing the restaurant, definitely DEFINITELY make a reservation in advance. the interior of chez panisse is so so cute and feels like a very cozy cabin. it feels very much in the spirit of berkeley hills and i understand why it gets so much hype. for the course menu that day, we got: - apertif - salad + anchovy on puff pastry - poached salmon - game hen + chips - creme caramel everything was absolutely so good, I thought the chicken was a touch salty but the sauce sopped up with the bread was SOOOO good. honestly I think you just need to come here for the experience, everyone was so wonderful and there was a couple next to us celebrating their anniversary that shared a glass of champagne with us. it feels extremely magical and just well thought out and considered. read more
Back in the 80s I lived on Cedar street just a few blocks from Chez Panisse. I never ate there because the reservations were difficult and the costs were way out of my price range. I owned their cookbook and her Pizza and Calazone cookbook but the recipes at the time were out of reach. Luckily, my daughter and son-in-law took me here for my birthday. The Bay Area was the cutting edge for innovative cuisine world wide in the 80s and 90s and Alice Waters' Chez Panisse was the epicenter of innovation. A lot of the iconic restaurants from that era have closed like The Mandarin and Bay Wolf but Chez Panisse has stood the test of time. For that reason alone it is a "must eat here" just from a historical perspective. So here is how it scored from best to worst: Pizza with Sprouting Broccoli $25 - 5/5: the pizza was fabulous. I own a wood fired pizza oven and make a lot of pizza but my pizza can't compare. Apple and Huckleberry Galette $14 - 5/5 best galette ever Olives and Anchovies $7 5/5: I eat a lot of olives and these were kind of addicting LOL Tagliatelle with Wild Mushrooms $28 - 5/5 the fresh pasta was divine but a little under seasoned Beef Sirloin with Tapenade $40 - 4/5: it was good but not great Little Gem and Blood Orange Salad $17 - 4/5: I liked this salad Radicchio, Beets and Shrimp Salad: $19 - 3/5: the flavors didn't work for me, but if you LOVE radicchio and beets, you'll love this salad Chicken and Polenta $29 - 2.5/5: it was OK but I couldn't discern any saffron and it was very under seasoned. Honestly, COSTCO sets the standard for roast chicken and all restaurants which serve roast chicken must exceed that standard. Sad but true. The service here is exceptional 5/5. Given the labor shortage and inflation, Chez Panisse has definitely prioritized service over value and quality. It was a mixed bag for sure, but overall it was a fabulous lunch. The venue is very comfortable and not overly pretentious. I would definitely return to eat the pizza, pasta, salad and desert. The entrees for me were pricey for the quality and serving size. Check it out. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
I've always wanted to dine at Chez Panisse, and it lived up to my expectations. The ambiance, service, and overall experience were exceptional, and the summer set course left me very full! The salmon and the chocolate fondant stood out to me the most. The plating was beautiful for every dish that came out and everything was clearly well thought out with a lot of heart put into it. However, given the cost (around $200 per person after tax and service fee), I'm not sure if the food itself will stand out in my memory. This is more of a place you go to for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, not somewhere you go casually every couple of months. The price just can't justify that. read more
2 years ago
For how fancy and high quality this restaurant is, prices are very reasonable! We ordered two main dishes and two desserts and it was a truly delicious experience. How can one make carrots or spinach taste so amazing, it is a culinary mystery! read more
Made reservations for a group of 6 on a Friday night for a birthday dinner. Was seated promptly upon arrival. Drinks: large selection of wines with a few other beverage options like beer, aperitifs, coffee and non alcoholic drinks. Entre-deux mer - a crisp tart white wine with a peach aroma and a saline finish, this was a nice bottle to pair with the lighter appetizers House zinfindale - nice medium body, with dark red fruit notes, and minimal astringency, paired well with the heavier entrees and dessert Food: bread and butter - delicious, country loaf with a flavorful unsalted butter, wish this were warmed but so nice to have this on the table for no charge Baked goat cheese - a petit disk of bread crumb and herb crusted goat cheese served with a side salad, dish was tasty, wish there was a bit more textural contrast felt a bit soft Artichoke and potato pizza - delicious, really nice thin crust, topped with thin slices of potato and artichoke, savory and well balanced Moroccan carrots - flavorful with lots of different components, the crunchy herb toast with the minty carrots mad earthy beats paired well together, wish this had a little more preserved lemon to add more acidity Side anchovies - fantastic, nicely seasoned and served in a pool of olive oil, these little fish packed a huge punch of flavor Chicken al mattone - favorite entree of the night, a super well seasoned chicken thigh cooked under a press/ brick, the skin was rendered and crisp, meat tender and juicy, served with a side of spring vegetables and crispy shoestring potatoes Mezze maniche pasta - this was okay, rigatoni with olives, shaved onion, broccolini, and other vegetables, a bit too many contrasting flavors Halibut with fennel puree and asparagus - pretty good, fish was well prepared, dish highlights spring, the fresh asparagus and fennel puree set this apart Grilled lamb with Moroccan spices: really good, lamb was tender and cooked medium, served with a delicious minty chermoula and cous cous Meyer lemon ice cream - favorite dessert of the evening, sweet, tart cream Meyers lemon ice cream resting on a crispy meringue served with a blueberry huckleberry sauce, so delicious, great balance of flavors,textures and temperatures Rhubarb galette - flakey delicate crust with tender soft rhubarb, barely sweetened with a gentle acidity, thoroughly enjoyed this dessert as well Buttermilk panna cotta - really good, nicely set and not too firm, creamy without being too heavy, the strawberry and kumquat added nice contrast Bittersweet chocolate pave - a nice rich chocolate cake, served with a chocolate sauce, honeycomb and coconut ice cream, great for chocolate lovers Service was fine, dinner felt a bit quick in terms of pacing but overall okay. I did include a note that this was a birthday dinner but the restaurant must have missed the note so had to ask for a birthday candle with dessert. Overall a great dinner at Chez Panisse, the food quality and seasonal variety on the menu is always good. A great spot for a special occasion or celebration. The price point is on the high end, but worth it for the quality. read more
I went to Cal for grad school and Chez Panisse was my local place to go for a special occasion. It also helped usher in an entire food movement 45 years ago. It's an exquisite experience, from the moment you enter under this massive Bunya tree to the interior design (featuring one of the country's first open air kitchens) and the food, which in keeping with Chef Waters' approach is meticulously sourced, its natural flavors the "star" of the show. It was a nostalgic experience for my wife and me. And we were delighted to see multiple familiar faces in the service team, some going back to the restaurant's founding. Still a unique dining experience and crown jewel in American gastronomy. read more
3 years ago
Elegant, classic setting, attentive service and a stellar seasonal menu. I would come back here everyday if I could! Farm to table restaurants are my personal favorite, and Chez Panisse never disappoints. The pizza was surprisingly our favorite bite. The crust was so light and crispy and the anchovies gave the right amount of umami to each bite. The Almond cake was a great way to round off the meal. It was almost savory, not too sweet and had a nice floral element to it. Delicious! read more
2 years ago
This place is a gem. And I'm not talking about the downstairs restaurant (weekly fix priced course menu at about $170 ish last I checked). I'm talking about the upstairs Cafe. Not a hidden gem, but probably a well known pride and joy of a delicious eatery in their simplicity and authenticity. I don't care about Chez Panisse losing Michelin star some old news from 15 years ago - who cares - Alice Waters opened the restaurant in 1971. Then held the Michelin star since 2006 and lost the star 2010. So ? It's not a snooty fancy ritzy restaurant. The ambiance is warm welcoming accommodating- and for a restaurant which birthed the California Cuisine, it's down to earth not overly concerned with stars and awards probably. Apparently this restaurant values more the joy their gathering place brings to their guests. Their award winning measure appears to be patrons satisfaction level rather than how to impress Michelin judges. In my humble opinion, Chez Panisse is the star for its longevity continuity and its ability for renewals over the years by sticking to the basics of taking fresh ingredients and bringing out the best in them. Being around as long as they have, still remaining relevant and much loved, still surviving in the tough restaurant business, as a woman owned business, it's an amazing feat and much cherished. What I love most about this place is the attention the kitchen pays to their vegetables... it's fresh colorful well textured with dressing just right- light and refreshing. Pasta - excellent; desserts we tried were delicious! Here the fruits come alive with their flavorful sherbets. The quality of their food is uncompromising. The Cafe upstairs is warm, lively and friendly. Making a reservation is highly advised but we lucked out this occasion. With a kind "I will see what I can do", the host turned a two seater table into a table for 3 and yes! Three of us were fortunate to be guided to what looked to be the last available table for lunch. The service was excellent as the waitress/waiter accommodated our preference to eat almost tapas style (we tend to share the dishes) on a limited space on our table. In contrast we saw a couple eat elegantly in progressive course style and realized more how their service is very kind and professional. This is definitely a more special occasion dining experience (especially the restaurant downstairs in the evenings) even as casual a Cafe that it is. For those special occasions, it's a place we're planning to be back! We love Chez Panisse and will travel the distance to get there. We envy the locals who get to gather there casually. It's a joyful beautiful place we wish we could go to more often. read more
6 months ago
3 years ago
Oh NO!... an off night for Chez Panisse? Say it isn't so... but it be. Born and raised in Berkeley, I always held Chez Panisse in highest regard for their food quality and service. Tonight though, so many issues created an experience not worth a $1000 dinner bill (for 4 ppl). Tonight's prix fixe included Winter vegetable salad, Ling cod + leek chowder, Rib eye beef, and Armagnac Prune Ice cream + chocolate fondant. Food: Salad good, Fish chowder good, but was served luke warm. The ribeye dish NOT good; a "strange" tasting piece of meat; served rare/medium rare, was VERY chewy and had a mild "gamey" taste, which is strange for cow meat. Had gristle, which is also strange. Dessert: I am a dessert FIEND; but this dish had too many flavors battling each other. Every bite seemed like a "war" in my mouth, was waiting to see which flavor was going to win after every bite. Was it the Prune ice cream? Or the chocolate this round? The chocolate fondant was good; but the Prunes soaked in Armagnac ice cream was way too strong in flavor; these Prunes fighting with the chocolate fondant was disappointing. I believe our waiter said the Prunes were soaking for 12 MONTHS in Armagnac? That is about 11 months and 3 weeks too long in my opinion. SERVICE: this component of tonight's dinner was the most disappointing. Most obvious was the water/table service person. Everytime she came to our table she appeared so "angry". No smiling, very straight faced througout the night; answered simple questions, performed her duties, but appeared to be "pissed" working tonight. Her facial expression said it all, all night. Don't mean to be crude, but that is the best description I can provide. For a $1000 dinner, I would at least expect a "pleasant" demeanor when providing dinner service; not give me the impression that you don't want to be working tonight or serving our table. Look, I DON'T need "sunshine and rainbows" showered upon me ; but please try to appear somewhat "happy" to be working at Chez Panisse, especially in front of customers. I consistently thanked her everytime she filled our water glasses or took our dishes away; no acknowledgement whatsoever. No nod, no sound, no eye contact, nothing. At that point a "grunt" would have been a welcomed acknowledgement. SERVERS, like the food, represents the face of the restaurant and contributes to the overall Customers dining experience. I am sure the servers and the food of the past, is what has built Chez Panisse to what it is today. Tonight we perhaps we would feel more welcome ordering at "In and Out" burger. read more
the produce they use is definitely the highlight! all the vegetables tasted fresh and sweet and crisp and the seasoning is simple but unique at the same time, which i think helps the ingredients stand out. (ex my asparagus pasta had mint which I would've never put together myself but I really liked it!) the chocolate tart was also super good my aunt and uncle love this place and take each of my family members once for a special occasion, and they said theyve never been disappointed! they also treated me for my birthday so I can't comment fully on whether I believe it's worth the price but if you're looking for a nice and special restaurant that serves good but simple food I would recommend it! tables are small and close together so it does get loud but we were able to chat just fine still read more
2 years ago
It's Chez Panisse. Yes: food is good. Yes: service is great . Charming ambience. Prix fixe menu: four course. See menu, as it changes regularly. read more
3 years ago
I'm so glad we finally got the chance to dine in at Chez Panisse! Dinner was lovely, and it's awesome to see how frequently the menu chanced. In a way, it's enticing in that it can sometimes be tough to get reservations only a week in advance but to only know about the menus for the following week, so if you're booking further out, you may not be certain of what exactly your courses for the night will be. Regardless, I think all the courses offer something unique, all featuring a wide array of culinary skill, presentations, and flavors. The dining room is very Berkeley imo; it feels very homey, but you're seated at a sufficient distance from other parties. The table to chair height ratios are alright, and the lighting is kind of how you see it in the photos. Overall, good experience! read more
Such a lovely meal. The service, the plating, the extra tidbits in between... it makes it all so worth it. The roasted guinea hen and potato gratin were simply marvelous, one of the best entrees I've ever had. We didn't love our first course but the crab tagliatelle was delicious. The dessert was so beautiful and a fun mix of flavors. Yes, it's pricey, but worth going at least once or more if your budget permits! read more
Got a last-minute reservation slot here and could not be more excited. This is one of those iconic places in and around Berkeley that I've been hearing about for a very long time but previous attempts to get in were not successful. From the food perspective, it was a delightful experience: starting with the amuse bouche crostini with pea puree, goat cheese, and olive oil, to the smoked black cod salad (so so good!), to the asparagus and sorrel soup, and the main course of roasted kid goat with harissa and potato cake (the meat could've been cooked a bit less but that is my personal preference). The flavors throughout were nicely balanced, and the presentation was not overly pretentious but still elegant. The dessert deserves a separate mention as it was probably the best part of the meal - the dark chocolate pavé and the pistachio ice cream were to die for, and the addition of candied oranges and kumquats added a little zingy touch. As for drinks, it was a "school night" so we stayed with the non-alcoholic menu. That said, the spritz with elderflower was the perfect choice for me. The only thing that threw a light shadow was the staff with an occasionally big-big attitude (come on, why so serious?). Otherwise, great spot, and worth repeats. Next time will try the cafe upstairs. The atmosphere there is a bit more casual, the menu is a la carte and the open kitchen looks lovely. read more
8 months ago
I received a lovely email invitation to Truffle Week and I was happy get reservations at the upstairs cafe. However my group was stunned to find out that truffles were absent from the Cafe menu despite what the invitation said. The only dish that had truffles was a cold appetizer salad, not throughout the menu as advertised. This situation was VERY awkward for the server to have to explain to the disappointed diners. Our servers said they are trying to adapt by putting truffle oil on the pasta dish. I tried the pasta dish with the truffle oil and it was not good, did not taste like truffles and they charged an extra $20 for truffle oil. Also our very nice server missed two dishes from our order. He dropped one salad off and disappeared without serving my salad. When we finally saw him again my friend had already finished his salad. I have always loved dining a Chez Panisse but was terribly disappointed this time! It was a total fail. read more
I absolutely loved this place and can't believe it took me so long to try it! We ate in the Café which offers an à la carte menu that changes daily, offering a variety of Mediterranean-inspired dishes using locally grown and sustainably sourced seasonal ingredients. The downstairs restaurant is a $175 price fixe menu. I loved the ambience and welcoming hustle and bustle of the upper level. We were promptly welcomed by the host and then seated to our table. Service is professional and friendly. Starter: Little gem salad- the salad dressing was incredibly tasty and the tomatos and cucumber were so fresh. I would get this gem again! Main: Duck confit- I essentially licked my plate clean here this dish was cooked to perfection, flavors were bursting and everything came together so nicely. The duck fell right off the bone and the skin was still slightly crispy with flavor and I paired each bite with the creamy butternut squash puree and roasted figs and veggies. Dessert: Chocolate pavé with toasted almond ice cream and candied almonds- not too sweet and perfectly balanced airy chocolate cake with paired with the nutty ice cream. Such a sweet ending to the meal! I will definitely be returning here for future special occasions and love that the menu is rotating with the seasons. read more
7 months ago
4 years ago
This review is for their downstairs, set course menu restaurant. As a destitute undergraduate during my time at UC Berkeley, I'd heard of fantastical stories of this bougie little restaurant located in Gourmet Ghetto that had a set menu and outrageous prices headed by the famous Alice Waters. As I grew older, matured, and discovered a more meaningful passion for good and inspirational food (and a fatter wallet), I learned the cultural importance of this place. From reading about it in books to seeing it referenced in travel and food guides/documentaries, I can't believe I never realized that a lot of the food I ate in California can be traced back to Chez Panisse. My friends and I finally decided to take the plunge and were able to make reservations for the downstairs restaurant. The service was incredibly excellent and friendly - it was pretty funny seeing their reactions to when we brought our own bottle of Snoop Dogg labeled wine. The food was outstanding and I totally get the concept of farm to table now with the stars of the show being the vegetables. Their menu changes daily, so don't expect to see the same items. We had: * Fried Monterey Bay squid with tomato and cucumber salad and coriander flowers - 10/10: the tomatoes were out of this world * Wild greens risotto with Manila clams and bacon lardons - 9/10: the lardons in combination with the risotto tasted outstandingly fresh and savory * Elliott Ranch leg of lamb à la fiçelle with herb salsa, eggplant tian, shoestring potatoes, and watercress - 9/10: the lamb was perfectly cooked like prime rib with the sauce being the focal point of this dish * Ras el hanout crème caramel with peaches and raspberries - 5/10: quite underwhelming, just your typical flan * Artisan cheese - 7/10: just a couple of cheeses with almonds and bread As a bonus, our waiter overheard us talking about how cool the kitchen is and he gave us a tour of the back which was super interesting. Definitely an experience of a lifetime, with a meal that traces its lineage back to the formation of California cuisine. Some helpful tips: * the cheese plate is $25 total additional, not per person * $35 corkage fee, $55 magnum fee (highly recommended) * expect to be here for 2-3 hours minimum * don't fill up on the bread too quickly at the beginning read more
1 year ago
This review is for he Chez Panisse café, *not* the restaurant with the rotating pre fixe menu. We came in with high expectations given the reputation and having previously lived in Berkeley for a few years. Being vegetarian, we ordered their rigatoni pasta dish ($25) and their summer vegetables ($25). The rigatoni was something I could have made at home, and I'm not a particularly good cook. The summer vegetables were... vegetables with rice and beans, a nicer looking version of what's included with every dish at a Mexican restaurant. The other option for a main was a pizza, but that seemed a silly choice given that Cheeseboard is about 100 feet away. From our experience, this restaurant must have gained its reputation on its fish/meat dishes, but it's a stay-away for vegetarians or vegans. While the food was disappointing, the atmosphere and service were both good, hence the average rating. read more
1 year ago
10 months ago
2 years ago
This review is primarily for the cafe, although I love both. As we all know, Chez Panisse is an institution and gave the start to the California cuisine and farm to table movement. So we can take pride in having this gorgeous and innovative restaurant still in Berkeley. I love the cafe because it is a la carte and you can choose your menu. This works well if you have food allergies like me or are just a bit of a choosier eater. In my last visit I had a delicious goat cheese tart, a salad that I can only describe as spectacular (where does she find her vegetables??) and a great pasta. Another highlight of the cafe is always the pizzas which are small enough for one person and have the best crust. You also shouldn't miss the soups and the desserts. And for non drinkers, there is always some delicious fruit spritzer on the menu to drink. Service is always great and friendly and the ambiance is beautiful. read more
2 years ago
I came here for lunch and the place is cozy and warm, the staff were friendly and attentive but it's a super busy place! Food was very fresh, farm to table vibes! I would definitely come back! read more
This is a review for the cafe, on their birthday set menu. We enjoyed the food - didn't think the value was there, but the ice cream dessert (strawberry-rose & vanilla) was absolutely amazing. We sat in a nice table near the open kitchen and really enjoyed the ambience. Reason for lower stars is that no one asked about allergies and the menu didn't indicate any allergies. The set menu was pretty innocuous, stating "jeweled rice", but when it arrived it had almonds. My partner is allergic to almonds. Not deathly allergic, so he decided to just pick them out. Super disappointing that such a nice restaurant wouldn't list nuts on the menu or ask about allergies. Other than that, note that if you come within the same week the food may get repetitive. My brother went the next day to the restaurant, and the main course was also lamb. read more
The food at Chez Panisse is great and everything is well seasoned, but it was lacking some WOW factor and orginiality for being a $200+ meal. Got a reservation for the restaurant's 4-course meal and the menu changes frequently. - Bread - Calamari Salad - Pasta - Striped Bass with fennel - Apple Pie dessert I thought the bread, calamari, and fennel with the best tasting item. We may have went on a sub-par week. The wait staff was great. The ambiance was great. The lighting was great for pictures. read more
1 year ago
Alice Waters daily changing menu will only provide the freshest ingredients within 1 hour of this gem of a restaurant. I can't believe it's taken me so long to experience her cuisine. We booked the reservation for our wedding anniversary. The kitchen is visible from the dining room, creating a warm, welcoming ambiance. Chef's aren't yelling at the staff, they work pleasantly, methodically side by side. We were seated at a romantic little spot by the front window. So, I was actually there 5 months ago, enjoying a winter menu with a pillowy yet rich leek & gruyere pudding soufflé, plump scallops with a vibrant parsley sauce, grilled hen breast with black truffle, finished with a huckleberry frangipane tart! The wines that paired with each course was worth the extra expense. What a memorable night. We've been wanting to experience a meal here since we took her Master Class during the pandemic! She is a legend! read more
Finally I got to dine at Chez Panisse Cafe. I heard so much about Alice Waters, the mother of slow food, farm to table concept. I was so excited. Ambience: 5/5 I love the vibe there. There was some light shining through the window near our table. The tree outside just made me feel so calm. Nothing fancy but I totally love it. Food: 3.5/5 We got the carrot puree soup, salad, tomato sauced pizza, vegan Indian spiced rice (I know it's a mistake). We got the rhubarb galette as dessert. I like pizza the most as it's thin crust style. The soup was great too. The menu seems to be quite limited to me. I also should have ordered the quail or something else but a vegan dish. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
I had the most delicious birthday celebration dinner at Chez Panisse in Berkeley! I haven't been back since before the pandemic and I have no idea why. I forgot how exceptional the farm to table experience is with @alicelouisewaters and her team of culinary experts! Their entire staff is helpful and knowledgeable and still provides exceptional customer service you would except from a fine dining experience. The lighting and atmosphere is reminiscent of a jumping restaurant in Europe. Very romantic and special. Thank you @chezpainesse for a magical birthday dinner! I look forward to coming back read more
10 months ago
2 years ago
I finally got the chance to try the famed Chez Panisse! The interior and exterior of the restaurant are quaint and charming, almost like you're going to someone's house. We had reservations and were seated a few minutes after checking in. After being seated, we were given an aperitif to kick off the meal. Just a note that this was an alcoholic beverage. We were also given some bread puffs as an amuse-bouche. A loaf of bread and butter were brought to the table as well. For their January menu, the first of four courses was Mendocino black cod with Tokyo turnips, fennel, and black truffle. This was a refreshing, chilled dish. The cod was yummy, but the black truffle did not really come through. Next was the Winter greens agnolotti in brodo with Parmesan. There were about four pieces of agnolotti, which were not bad, but also nothing to write home about. The third course was Wolfe Ranch quail grilled with thyme and lemon. This was probably my favorite savory course of the night. The quail was juicy and quite tasty, but what really wowed me was the Butternut Squash and Leek Gratin! It was layered delicately, creamy, and so delicious! Incredible. There were also wild mushrooms and sautéed spinach on the side. I also really enjoyed the dessert! Rather than just an ordinary lemon meringue pie, this tartlet had ice cream inside! The Meyer lemon flavor was delightfully tart, topped with torched meringue, and surrounded by huckleberries, dried fruits, and nuts. So good! The meal comes to a close with some hot mint tea, candied orange peel, and chocolate bites. The menu started off mediocre, but I was definitely impressed by the end. Dishes can be a bit of a grab bag, but I would definitely try out this place at least once! read more
1 year ago
11 months ago
Great restaurant with really cool retro vibes. This is the restaurant that started the farm to table movement in the United States. All of the produce was seasonal and fresh and the flavors were amazing. The service was punctual. We only had to wait around 10 min after checking in for our reservation. They have a cafe upstairs or more formal dining downstairs. Check it out if you are staying in San Francisco as it is a relatively short drive. I wish they would have had more local wines since they are so close to Napa. read more
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Ask the Community - Chez Panisse
Is there take out available?
It's not that kind of place. It's a premiere boutique restaurant that started the entire farm-to-table movement in the restaurant industry. To get an idea, watch this: https://youtu.be/U0qjCWc-mDc?is=zh8uHZyAKpKRJ5dv
Does the restaurant/cafe have a dog friendly patio? Traveling with my dog and have this hiccup.
There's no patio dining here.
Is the restaurant accessible to a person with a walker?
Only the downstairs dining room (I believe there's an ADA ramp). But no elevator to the Café on the second floor.
Is there an elevator to get to the second floor cafe?
Definitely not. I was on crutches and had to hop up the stairs to the cafe! It was scary and dangerous.
Are they still requiring proof of Covid vaccine and booster to dine here?
NO. It said that when I went but they didn't ask.
Are they still serving the late night steak frites?
We asked for it in March 2023 and our server said they haven't offered it in years! So sad :'(
Do they have outdoor seating to eat there or is it all indoor and takeout only?
All indoors
How long does it take to eat dinner there? We have an appointment at 7PM elsewhere in Berkley and I want to know if we can make it given a 5:30pm reservation.
No way. 2 hours min.
Do they cater to vegans in the restaurant for dinner?
They're only able to accommodate vegetarians.
Is there a dress code?
Honestly, not really. There were super casually dressed people and business casual. I am not sure if they have a "no shorts" policy, but otherwise, you should be good. Enjoy :)
What do you tip at Chez Panisse? I was so confused by the 17% service charge - do you top that up by 3% to 20% or do you add an additional 20% of the subtotal to the bill?
According to the note. 17% service charge goes back to restaurant so they can pay their (good?) wages & benefit. If you want to tip the server, you can add on top of the 17%. This one will goes directly to the waiters/server.
Is there any parking at the restaurant?
There may (don't really recall be valet parking, but there's only street parking (no parking lot) some of which is zoned for local residents only during certain hours. We only did lunch and parked a block and a half away. Ate upstairs. It's a…
Not sure, but are kids welcome? Doesn't sounds like it.
We brought our daughter when she was 5 or 6, but she eats everything so the food was not an issue for her. They were super nice to her and even gave her a tour of the kitchen.
Do people know if the cafe is still serving the late night steak dish past 930 pm?
Do not know as we dined in the ground floor dining room.
Does any one know how to confirm reservation? They called me asking to confirm by calling them on my voicemail but their number won't accept Messages... and no one answers.
How bizarre! Make sure you call back during business hours, which are 9am to 9:30pm, PST Mon-Sat. I had no problem getting live people on the phone to make my reservation as well as confirm it. Keep trying!
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