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Chez Panisse
Restaurant
Best American
1517 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley CA 94709
(510) 548-5525
Berkeley CA 94709
(510) 548-5525
Chez Panisse is, of course, where it all started, four decades ago this year. Before Chez Panisse, practically nobody in America served only fresh local foods and wrote menus according to the season, if not the day. Practically nobody cared like Alice Waters and her associates did. It has become fashionable to criticize this culinary icon as (take your pick) tired, irrelevant, pretentious — but the truth is that the food is still superb, both in the one-menu-a-night downstairs restaurant and the lively, diversified upstairs Café. A must. — Arthur Bovino, 2/17/2011
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SFGate
Come Monday-Thursday for a daily changing three-course menu that costs around $29.
Come Monday-Thursday for a daily changing three-course menu that costs around $29.
Food Network
When I'm in SF, I always take a trip into Berkley for dinner at Chez Panisse. – Chef Anne Thornton, Dessert First
When I'm in SF, I always take a trip into Berkley for dinner at Chez Panisse. – Chef Anne Thornton, Dessert First
Epicurious
The daily-changing menu is limited (one option per course), but not a single dish of the three courses will disappoint at this sophisticated, eco-friendly Berkeley mainstay.
The daily-changing menu is limited (one option per course), but not a single dish of the three courses will disappoint at this sophisticated, eco-friendly Berkeley mainstay.
Gilt City
A VIP tour of Waters' Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley fosters a better understanding of a healthy, self-sustained body, community and environment. 100% of the proceeds benefit Chez Panisse Foundation.
A VIP tour of Waters' Edible Schoolyard in Berkeley fosters a better understanding of a healthy, self-sustained body, community and environment. 100% of the proceeds benefit Chez Panisse Foundation.
ToryBurch
Just across the Bay Bridge in Berkeley, Alice Waters’ culinary mecca is famous for its use of organic ingredients.
Just across the Bay Bridge in Berkeley, Alice Waters’ culinary mecca is famous for its use of organic ingredients.
Ira S.
I love the decorations for Bastille Day
I love the decorations for Bastille Day
Themios C.
Fantastic dinner!
Fantastic dinner!
Lilian L.
Look up at bunya bunya tree before entering, smile and ask for kitchen tour at end of meal.
Look up at bunya bunya tree before entering, smile and ask for kitchen tour at end of meal.
A.J. B.
The sustainable/organic movement: this is where it all began. Alice Waters is truly a pioneer.
The sustainable/organic movement: this is where it all began. Alice Waters is truly a pioneer.
ingrid l.
one of the 3 best dinners of my life. the other 2 @ pastis, ny & @ la cabrera, bs. as.
one of the 3 best dinners of my life. the other 2 @ pastis, ny & @ la cabrera, bs. as.
Mark K.
Believe the hype. (Thank you, Alice Waters.)
Believe the hype. (Thank you, Alice Waters.)
Ira S.
Bastille is in season again!
Bastille is in season again!
Omar K.
Enjoy the fact they don't condone cell phone use
Enjoy the fact they don't condone cell phone use
James W.
But of course. Mecca.
But of course. Mecca.
Sophie S.
Should be on everyone's bucket list. Alice Waters is truly a pioneer. Try upstairs for lunch for something a bit more casual.
Should be on everyone's bucket list. Alice Waters is truly a pioneer. Try upstairs for lunch for something a bit more casual.
The Daily Meal
Before Chez Panisse, practically nobody in America served onlyfresh local foods and wrote menus according to the season, if not the day.
Before Chez Panisse, practically nobody in America served onlyfresh local foods and wrote menus according to the season, if not the day.
Tom M.
Make sure you have salt and pepper at your table, because everything seems to be underseasoned here...
Make sure you have salt and pepper at your table, because everything seems to be underseasoned here...
Michelle P.
I wanted to like this place, but couldn't. Pasta was delicious, everything else was bland. Might've been just that night, but dining room demographics were scarily similar to an RNC meeting.
I wanted to like this place, but couldn't. Pasta was delicious, everything else was bland. Might've been just that night, but dining room demographics were scarily similar to an RNC meeting.
Olivia R.
Very cosy and elegant place where to eat fabulous and creative vegetables!
Very cosy and elegant place where to eat fabulous and creative vegetables!
katieparla
The homemade pasta is incredible. Sauces vary, obviously, but the simple heirloom tomato and basil pasta we had was exceptional.
The homemade pasta is incredible. Sauces vary, obviously, but the simple heirloom tomato and basil pasta we had was exceptional.
Scott J.
Don't believe the hype. Mediocre at best. Stay in San Francisco and go to range or maverick instead.
Don't believe the hype. Mediocre at best. Stay in San Francisco and go to range or maverick instead.
Drew W.
Savor your dinner and save room for dessert!
Savor your dinner and save room for dessert!
Dan P.
Just so comfortable and reliable everytime. Never have to question whether the sourced ingredients are anything but the best, very local and fresh. (4 of 4 petals via Fondu)
Just so comfortable and reliable everytime. Never have to question whether the sourced ingredients are anything but the best, very local and fresh. (4 of 4 petals via Fondu)
Michael G.
Try the Apple Galette With Honey Cream - Fuck me. Honey cream is a wet kiss. (via @Foodspotting)
Try the Apple Galette With Honey Cream - Fuck me. Honey cream is a wet kiss. (via @Foodspotting)
Raul K.
Add it to the bucket list. Amazing.
Add it to the bucket list. Amazing.
Miguel d.
Ask for table 43.
Ask for table 43.
Doug Z.
Totally worth the trip to Berkeley. One of the most perfect dinning experiences in the country. Although not listed on the menu they offer wine pairings, very solid.
Totally worth the trip to Berkeley. One of the most perfect dinning experiences in the country. Although not listed on the menu they offer wine pairings, very solid.
Antonio M.
It is Chez Panisse, what more can you say.
It is Chez Panisse, what more can you say.
Jerry H.
Great place to impress someone! Since its existence, they never served the same menu twice...
Great place to impress someone! Since its existence, they never served the same menu twice...
Lucia C.
Everything is really fresh and seasonal, very San Francisco! Loved it!
Everything is really fresh and seasonal, very San Francisco! Loved it!
Tom L.
Celebrating more than 40 years in business and still going strong, Chez Panisse was instrumental in changing the American food scene. Before this restaurant, practically nobody in America served ex...
Celebrating more than 40 years in business and still going strong, Chez Panisse was instrumental in changing the American food scene. Before this restaurant, practically nobody in America served ex...
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