So, this restaurant is an edible and personal experience. We decided to go here in a "date" it was everything I wanted to be. Greets wine selection varied prices and selections. Even the affordable house Zin was great. The semi-boneless Wolfe Ranch quail roasted in the (traditional) wood oven with polenta, white beans, (yum) summer greens, confit, and sage was amazing. We also ordered the white halibut which was also to die for. The salads were fresh and yummy and the beets were delightful. And we ordered the pave chocolate desert which was great, airy and filled with flavor. And a natural vanilla bean ice cream which was the perfect accent. read more

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Chez Panisse far exceeded my expectations. I think I've always associated good expensive eats with large cities (not that Berkeley isn't a fairly large city, but I think of places like New York, San Francisco, etc when I think of a place with good eats). Here, the meals aren't as expensive but the amount of food and the rich flavors you get is a much better value than anywhere that is higher priced. My boyfriend liked it here more than French Laundry! First, it didn't take me 30 days to get reservations. I was able to get Wednesday evening dinner reservations about 2 weeks in advance. OpenTable said they were booked but I just called, and that did the trick (reservations the old fashioned way!). Next, I loved the restaurant - it was quaint, inset from the road, had rich wood and subdued lighting, and it was cozy and romantic. Finally, the service was impeccable - always around when needed but not hovering, constantly filled water glasses, and the dishes came out at a great pace - sometimes meals take a long time with multiple courses but here the dishes came out regularly. First, our appetites were whetted with a plate of seasoned almonds. My boyfriend ate one, I ate the rest of the plate. Next, we had two kinds of bread (white/wheat), both were great. Then, our first course - heirloom tomato salad with anchovy, capers, basil, and aoili. WOW is what my taste buds said. I've never had such a vibrantly flavorful dish - the tomatoes were popping in my mouth, the basil was refreshing, and the capers were smooth. There was a bit of garlic toast that I wasn't too keen on, but the vegetables themselves - wow. They weren't kidding when they said quality ingredients. Most supermarket tomatoes are dull and lifeless. Not these! Next, we had sole with a meyer lemon sauce with chopped cucumbers. Amazing - delicate lemon flavor balanced with crispy cucumbers and a smooth fish that was fresh and not at all fishy! And this dish came with two large slices of fish, not a bite like most other tasting menu/prix fixe meals. Our third dish was grilled lamb covered in a thick olive sauce with romano beans, green beans, and fried onion rings. Again, another wow - I do not like lamb, but this dish had me swooning for lamb! It wasn't gamey, it was fresh, and the green beans again were popping with flavor and freshness. Finally, our last course was an apricot tart with a burnt honey ice cream. I didn't like the ice cream, unfortunately, but that's also because I don't like honey. The tart had a very soft but crispy crust and the apricots were tart and fresh. We got a final plate of treats - meyer lemon shortbread cookies and chocolate covered almonds. Yum! Since we went on a Wednesday, the price per person before tip/tax was only $75. I would have gladly paid $150 or more for a similar meal if they had charged us that much. Cannot wait to come back! read more

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There are a lot of superlatives used when describing CP, so I'll avoid those and simply say that my experience was wonderful. The service is warm and attentive and the food is hearty and unfussy. The wine selection is broad, but if you're overwhelmed the waiters know exactly what to select for your meal. Downstairs is the set price menu whereas the cafe upstairs allows you to choose your meals ala carte. Either way, you can't go wrong. Highly recommended for special events...and well, if you're just craving a really, really good meal in a warm space. read more

This restaurant was listed as one of the "World's Best Restaurants" in Restaurant Magazine and was named "America's Best Restaurant" in Gourmet magazine in 2001. I think it may be because I an inexperienced college student who's too used to eating greasy pizzas but I was a bit disappointed especially since my friend pointed out these rewards to me before I dined there. The service was great. The food was very good but it wasn't anything memorable. I only visited the cafe though and will be dining downstairs next month so maybe my experience would be better then. read more

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I'm glad we got reservations for the day of! I guess Thursday nights are still ok to get decent reservations. We went upstairs to the cafe which is a neat little area, great for catching up with friends or a date night with your significant other. The waiter was very knowledgeable about the menu especially since it changes each day. I think that adds to the variety of patrons coming back for more since something different is offered each day. We got the following: Appetizer -Free bread that they give is decent but I wouldn't fill myself on it. -Salad with duck leg - very good as a starter and the duck's texture and flavor was good Entree -Rockfish and the Brussels sprouts was absolutely delicious. It was seasoned well and very fresh. -My friend ordered an entree with chicken and it was pleasantly surprising that they baked the chicken in a way where it was very tender, juice and delicious. I would recommend the chicken as it's not your typical chicken breast dish. Overall satisfied with the quality of service and attentiveness. I liked the ambiance of the restaurant, it felt very cozy. read more

Chez Panisse - Rockfish entree - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Came here for lunch one dreary Saturday morning. It's a good thing the bf had made reservations because the place filled up pretty much as soon as it opened at 11:30. I ordered the goat cheese salad and the bf ordered the beet and asparagus appetizer to start. Their veggies are incredibly fresh so I wasn't at all surprised when I started to notice that all the tables around us were ordering salads. I ordered the clam chowder as my entree and the bf ordered the sea bass. I was surprised when my chowder arrived as it wasn't the traditional creamy goodness that I had been expecting (and hoping for). Instead it was similar to your run-of-the-mill clam appetizer, with clams floating around in a clear broth. Sadly, I've had better clams and broth elsewhere. My bf's sea bass was okay. Although he was a little disappointed that they had breaded and deep fried the fish rather than just grilling it since frying it detracted from the freshness of the fish. We ordered the toasted almond ice cream for dessert. It came with a meringue cookie and bittersweet chocolate sauce. Absolutely delicious. Bottom line: good food, but not sure it's worth all the hype. Perhaps the prix fixe dinner would be better? read more

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This was my second time to dine at Chez Panisse...and this time really blew my first experience out of the water. Maybe my taste buds are more refined, maybe my appetite has grown, but I was genuinely much more impressed by this experience than my last. Let me preface this that after my first time at the institution, I left with a full belly, somewhat nauseous, and actually couldn't keep the food down after I went home...so it all went to waste. Nevertheless, got to try it out again, and the night's menu was some kind of moroccan chicken with a seasonal orange and onion salad to start and ice cream at the end. We also tried the cheese platter as well. Everything was delicious, from the bread that arrived at our table to start with to the end chocolate and jelly that ended our meal. I loved how you can really taste how all the flavors of each dish complement one another perfectly, and you wonder where they were able to find such amazing fruit and produce in the middle of the terrible California drought. Thank you, Chez Panisse, for really delivering dishes that live up to your renown. Just be prepared that when you get to see the menu for the night, you might not be blown away with the dishes themselves and their description, but it's the quality and finely picked ingredients, cooked to the perfect consistency, that really make them stand out. read more

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Probably one of my best dining experiences ever. I had always wanted to eat here. So I did finally! It was my first time to San Francisco/Berkley. I was greeted warmly and seated in a lovely table. I had a nice glass of wine, and a "fish stew" ... i forgot what they called it exactly. It was so delicate tasting and beautiful. For dessert I had a pink apple tart with honey ice cream. So beautiful and perfectly delicious. I instagramed everything and all my friends were oooohhhing and aaahhhhing and kept saying they were so jealous. Cant blame them. The room is beautiful... this was upstairs for lunch. the most Beautiful flowers!! My server was amazing!!! I was so happy to be there.. and a meal I will always remember. read more

I've only been here once and probably will not be coming back anytime soon. It's not to say the food was not good, but I just did not think it was great, especially for what we paid. I got the quail, which was tiny as to be expected. It was a bit dry, and I was a bit disappointed as I was still hungry afterwards. Definitely overpriced in my opinion, but I came in knowing this already. I wanted to see what the hype was all about and did not feel it deserved it. Service was good and so was the atmosphere. read more

Chez Panisse - Quail. - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Really yummy lunch place! I've been here a few times. There were great choices from appetizers to main course to desserts. The salads and tartars for appetizers were amazing. Very fresh and well made. The main courses were delicious as well, but not the best I've ever had. The salmon was good. The pork was great though! And overall, desserts were great too. The people there are super friendly and there is great service. Don't forget to make a reservation ahead of time! read more

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We had a solid, delicious meal for lunch here today. We were seated promptly for our 1:15 reservation and the service was good. Our dishes were brought out promptly, our plates cleared when we were done, and my water refilled constantly (which is saying a lot since I'm currently a thirsty pregnant momma). But what really counts here is the food. The menu changes daily so if you like to be adventurous and eat seasonally than this is a fun place for a meal. Sunchoke soup: I love the flavor of sunchokes. This soup did not have as much concentrated sunchoke flavor as a version that I've made at home with nothing but sunchoke, broth, an cream. This version definitely had notes of celery, maybe carrot and onion too and perhaps did not have any cream at all. However, it was still a silky and delicious soup and I wouldn't turn down seconds. Buttermilk fried Devils Gulch Ranch rabbit: One leg and two boneless breast pieces. Delicious! If you've not had rabbit this was like eating fried chicken. But the "white meat" was denser, moister, and juicier than a chicken breast would be. Super delicious and the tomatillo salsa and vinegary slaw was a great pairing it. Grilled sonoma duck breast with delicata squash gratin, green beans, tapenade: I've never had duck with olives but it was a great pairing. The duck was delicious. The fat nicely rendered down, it tasted as if it had been brined because it was evenly salted throughout, and it was just very tender and flavorful. The only problem with it was that I wanted more of it! 5 slices for my hubby and I to split just left us craving more. Ginger cake with wine wine poached pears and chantilly cream: I saw this at another table and thought it was chocolate cake and it looked so good. I was disappointed to read that it was ginger cake on the menu, but we decided to try it and I think with the coming of fall it was even better than a chocolate cake. Moist, just enough sweetness,deliciously spiced, and so good with the pear and cream. read more

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For a girls night out, my friend and I tried the late night $25 steak dinner special, which comes with a glass of wine, appetizer bread, and skillet-roasted filet mignon, fried shoestring potatoes, and tangy salad all on one plate. For the price, the food was very worth it. The steak was smothered in butter and was very tender. The salad was very tangy with a little bitter after taste. The fried potatoes were a little hard to eat with a fork, so I wish they'd cooked it a different way. The wine was definitely quality wine, with a sweet, velvety flavor that pairs perfectly with the food. Overall, the food was great but not anything super spectacular. The ambience is very classy and high-end, and the servers are attentive and professional. read more

Chez Panisse - Nice red wine. - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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I've been waiting a long time to dine here. I've read and seen so many good things about Alice Waters and her California cuisine using organic local foods. It didn't disappoint. We ordered the halibut tartare, goat cheese and lettuce, the mushroom pappardelle, and the pork. You can really taste the food and herbs. I never tasted anything that was too salty, or garlicky, or too buttery. Just really good flavors that made the food outstanding. The wine was fantastic as well. We had the panna cotta and ice cream for dessert. Which was excellent as well. Definitely a great experience with great friends. read more

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Such a disappointment. The meal presented last evening was sad in comparison to the enlightened and very special meals that we have had in the past. So many restaurants that we patronize provide far more creative and vibrant offerings than what was presented to us. The cost vs. value was even more out of line with what is available elsewhere. The wine pairing was well done but for $85 was again sad. Nothing lasts forever and at this point hype is all that is left. Money and time is better spent elsewhere. read more

In a galaxy far, far away - so far away, so long ago, so far away from my first Yelp entry - I had one of my first 'fancy' meals at Chez Panisse. This was an unforgettable disappointment because the reputation preceded the place and the beef tenderloin was exceedingly salty. Upon my return, another disappointment; though not due to technical flaws (there were none). This time my problem was how underwhelming I found the meal. And my expectations were moderate, at most. While everyone at my table liked their meal (there were 5 of us), that was the extent of the enthusiasm. This is the meal - (1) Bagna càuda: Spring vegetables with warm anchovy-garlic sauce (2) Dungeness crab, lobster, and scallop lasagna verde with Star Route Farms savoy spinach (3) Candied Seville orange ice cream and blood orange sorbetto meringata (4) $75 (5) $18 artisan cheese supplement This is the analysis - (1) The veg in our bagna càuda: greens, radish, beet, asparagus. Delicious? Yes. Burst in your mouth and shower your brain with starlight? No. This is 'figs on a plate.' (Look it up if you must.) (2) Sounds like a better idea than it tastes - and it looked good too, but it was also slightly cloying from the sweetness of the crab without any bright acidic contrast. The 'verde' came from the spinach and it was a boring choice. This is a gentle failure from the expectation of ingredients versus actual experience. (3) Fabulous. (4) Cost per person excluding wine. No. (5) Weak and meager. In sum, meh. The problem with a place like Chez Panisse is that it leads with its point - which everyone gets and which it does just fine - but it doesn't do much else. I wouldn't go so far as to say this cooking is boring, but you know, I'll go far enough to say...je vous en prie. read more

California cuisine rules~ I had lunch and really liked the place. The ingredients are as fresh as they claimed to be and not manipulated. I'm a carnivore, but I love all the produce I had. That's saying something. The simple but sophisticated cooking done there lets the flavors of food speak for itself. For entrees, we had petrale sole with clams, fennel, sunchoke and grilled rabbit legs with curly endives, artichoke mustard. Both were cooked and seasoned perfectly. The vegetables that came with were bursting with their natural flavors. The three desserts we tried, lemon sherbet with sugared mint leaves, persimmon pudding, lady apple and sour cherry tart, were equally memorable. Sugared mint leaves with sherbet was the best palette cleanser I've ever had. It's genius. The apples in the tart were so sweet that no sugar was added and fortunately the sourness of cherry was there to balance it out. The founder/chef Alice Waters was there greeting every customer. She was very gracious. The price for lunch is not terribly damaging to the wallet. It's a restaurant I'd come back every time I'm in the area. Next stop would be the restaurant downstairs if I score a reservation that is. read more

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There is not much to add to what has already been said, but I'll try. We came to Chez Panisse for our good friends' first anniversary. This was the second time that I have been to the restaurant downstairs. First off - eating great food and drinking good wine with the people you love is basically the best thing that can be done in public. So the framework was set for a great night. All of the people at dinner (including me) are or were affiliated with the Viticulture and Enology department at UC Davis. We came with 7 bottles of wine. We ended up drinking only five of them, but they were all excellent. A great Sancerre, a Pinot from Waipara, a Cab from Barossa, a Napa red blend, and two Auslese Rieslings. They wine paired excellently with the food. The biggest complaint I hear about Chez Panisse food is the what I find to be the most compelling aspect of what and how they cook: Everything that is made could be cooked at home. There are no crazy techniques used. What makes the food special is that everything that is made is the archetype of what the dish should be. We had a chanterelle tart, A "cassoulet" with a duck leg, pork belly, and a bean/vegetable melange, and a nectarine sherbet for dessert. The food was just perfect. Nothing out of place - no flavors were "spiky". Spiky flavors dominate a dish and overwhelm the balance. I truly love the people I had dinner with and that makes everything taste better - restaurants should realize that everything tastes better with good company. read more

Chez Panisse - Chanterelle tart - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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My mom and I love Chez Panisse Cafe because it is more affordable than the downstairs restaurant, but the food is always perfect. I took my mom here for a late birthday celebration (we made reservations as soon as we heard they'd reopened post-fire) and we had a great experience as usual. We always get the garden lettuces salad ($8.00) because it is simple yet so delicious. However, if you're a goat cheese fan you absolutely must try the baked andante dairy goat cheese with garden lettuces ($10.50), which comes with breadcrumb-coated warm goat cheese and is like, the best thing ever. We decided to share the hand-torn pasta with chanterelle mushrooms, cream, thyme, and toasted breadcrumbs ($13 or $18). The flavor was SO delicious and it wasn't overly heavy, which I often find creamy pasta to be. The mushrooms gave flavor and texture but weren't overwhelming to the dish. We also shared the pieta with leeks, rosemary, and lucques olives ($15.50), which was small but so yummy. Even the cafe prices are high, but it's worth it because the food is outstanding, the service is always great, and Chez Panisse is a Berkeley landmark, after all! read more

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My host and I both ordered blackened cod and clam chowder, but what we were served was something else. My plate had about ten clams in open shells, and, I would guess, some oil. This took up about half the plate, the rest being vegetables. There was no blackened cod in sight, but there was some pink fish, literally the size of two postage stamps. I asked my host if he had any cod, and he replied that it would come later. It did not. I ordered dessert and my host ordered another entree, this time pasta. In summary, no blackened cod, no clam chowder. No thanks. read more

We still can't believe it , Chez Panisse used to be the place with absolutely the best food . deteriorated to a mediocore , pretentious , not worth spending $$$ for . all 5 of us felt the same . what a let down so nostalgic for what it used to be years ago . read more

Staff was uptight and seemed not interested in helping make the dining experience pleasurable. Food was mediocre at best. Whole experience just seemed amiss. Totally underwhelmed. read more

IMPECCABLE service here. I can't say enough about how well-timed, helpful, approachable, attentive-but-not-overbearing and professional these guys are. There's an automatic 17% tip added to the bill (to those who complained that wasn't clear, and as a result try accidentally tipped twice... It's states clearly on the menu, on the bill, and also on the little black folder that the bill comes in. Learn to read), and they more than earn that. We tipped extra. The cafe itself is a little warm and lively (read: lots of chatter), especially compared to downstairs, but we loved that. They did a great job with the remodel post-fire, and the place feels homey but special. We were seated towards the front so we didn't get to watch the kitchen in action, but I love that so much of it is open for spectating. The food. We had one of the most delicious dishes I've ever had in my life. Duck with vegetables, but beautifully presented, great mix of textures, colours, flavours, and absolutely delicious. The arugula, mint & meyer lemon pizzette was surprisingly delightful. The garden salad was tasty, but not blow-your-socks off. The wine our waiter suggested to pair with our dishes was perfect (and one of the cheapest by-the-glass wines they had on the menu... So they're not just in it to get you to spend more). The one thing we were a little taken aback by (wouldn't call it a complaint) was our dessert - we ordered an apple and quince galette with vanilla ice-cream. It was a beautiful-looking object, with perfectly crispy pastry and pretty fruit. It tasted delicious. But it came out cold. Not we-left-it-sitting-on-the-counter-too-long-before-taking-it-to-the-table cold, but 'we serve this dish cold' cold. Perhaps we're just showing our ignorance and they're always served like this, but it was a jarring finish to the meal. If we'd known ahead of time, we would have ordered something else. Having said that, it was still delicious. For the fact that most dishes were tasty but only one was perfectly blow-your-mind brilliant, I'm going with 4 stars. If I could give 4.5 I would. read more

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A definite must try restaurant. Be prepared with your wallet, it is pricey even though it is lunch. Definitely less than dinner but just an FYI. I had to make reservations a month in advance, this must say something about the restaurant. It was my first time trying rabbit and I was hesitant at first. My rule years ago, "don't eat an animal you pet" has changed. I asked our waiter how's the rabbit and if I should try it. He gave his honest opinion and said it is really good, tastes like chicken, and explained how they prepare the rabbit. I gave in and said I'll have that for an appetizer! Life is too short and you only live once! When my plate came I was pleasantly surprised and finished every bit of it. My boyfriend's salmon was delightful and he wished he had more. I got the sausage, clam, and shrimp entree and it was pretty good. I was so full I could not finish it so my bf did. The cappuccino was really delicious. Honestly the best I ever had. Starbucks and Peets sure do not have anything on Chez Panisse's cup. I'd come back just for that! The service is impeccable. The waiter was honest with his opinion. Every time our bread or water was empty, they'd fill it right away and ask how we're doing. I really appreciate the attention and detail of the staff. The one thing I was confused about is a "service charge"? I am not sure if it is imposed by the City of Berkeley but I was not aware of it so it was a surprise to me when the bill came therefore -1 star. read more

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My wife and I went here for our anniversary. Had reservations for 8pm and it was packed. The service was perfect: helpful, kind, and checked in just the right amount of time. I forget the wine that was suggested bit it was an amazing velvety red. I want try the downstairs section. This was by far the best restaurant we've been to in the East Bay. Wish there were more like this. A real gem. read more

Chez Panisse - Thoughtful note on our dessert - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

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You could say the Chez Panisse Cafe is a gateway, of sorts, to eating at the restaurant right beneath it. The cafe differs from the restaurant in that the menu isn't fixed, and the prices are significantly more affordable. My friend and I came for the late-night steak dinner and were not disappointed. This being the second time I ate steak (crazy, I know), I was impressed with how tender the meat was. The meal itself was the steak with sides of greens and fried broccolini, and who can forget the complementary bread and butter at the beginning?! Additionally, the red wine that we were served complemented the meal well. Overall, the meal was not anything too crazy or exciting, but the experience of eating at Chez Panisse (and not breaking the bank!) was a fun one. Worth a visit! read more

Chez Panisse - Late night steak dinner at Chez Panisse Cafe - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California

Please note that this review is based on the value of the food and service. While I did finish my meal, the food and service did not live up to the entire cost of the meal. Food coming out of their kitchen (at least the night I went) can now be made by any home cook enthusiast these days. Presentation is lacking. Nothing really special. Service was perfunctory and lacked warmth. Lastly, the 17% service charge that supposedly goes to a general fund to pay for higher wages, benefits sticks in my craw. It was clear that this was not the tip and therefore did not go directly to the waiter/waitress. I paid an additional $100 to go toward the tip. I have always wanted to try this legendary restaurant and unfortunately it will be my last. I should have tried Ms. Waters restaurant during its heyday. read more

My mom and I came here to celebrate graduation, and, wow, it was so worth it. We split a carrot salad, the salmon and rabbit entrées, and the panna cotta for dessert. The carrot salad was good, and the hummus that came on the side was delicious with the bread that came on the table. The salmon was extremely tender and truly melt in your mouth. The rabbit was also delicious, although gamier than the chicken. From the rabbit dish, I actually enjoyed the fried broccoli the most! Although the entrées were delicious, I enjoyed the dessert the most. I've never had such smooth and light panna cotta. The blueberries and sauce it came with also helped to cleanse my palette with its refreshing tartness. Splitting a salad, two entrées, a dessert, and two glasses of wine was more than enough for us, and the total was around $140. All in all, although I probably won't be back to Chez Panisse Café, it's definitely a great place to go for that fancy dinner. read more

We came for lunch in the Cafe. The space is wonderful, the food very good and the service is reasonable. However, I violently object to the deceptive practice of inflating the pricing after the fact with the addition of the 17% service charge. I believe this addition to the bill is a flagrantly immoral charge that is added to the bill without the diners' advance knowledge as there is no mention of it on the menu. I originally understood this charge to be similar to the French practice of service compris. When we asked the waiter, he told us that this was the house charge and did not include any compensation for him and his service unless we also included a tip. If Ms. Waters wants to charge more for her offering, I would be happy to pay the posted rate so long as I know what it is before I order. I am not so flush with cash that I recklessly order without regard to pricing. The inherent dishonesty in changing the agreed upon price after the fact is very disturbing, mainly in its deceit. Instead of offering a menu item for $23.00 and then adding $3.91 for an actual cost of $26.91, why not show the actual price to be charged on the menu? As you can see from the above, my objection to this charge being added to the bill after the meal has been consumed is based solely its unscrupulousness and my resultant negative impression of the integrity and honesty of the management. In my opinion Ann Waters is knowingly perpetuating a falsehood. Ann Waters = Cochonne. read more

I was very excited to dine at this bastion of California cuisine. And I was let down in direct proportion to my enthusiasm to the point where I hardly have the energy to complain in this review--that's the degree of underwhelming this experience entailed. To Chez's credit, they served a lovely little drink to begin the meal that my dining companions and I enjoyed. And then it all went to hell. I've learned that when restaurant's cut bread and serve it with the zeal of a zookeeper trying to pacify his tigers, there's a problem in the kitchen. The problem here is that the food lacks imagination, spirit, and flavor. And what's more, the service is outrageously bad, which might very well be a function of the kitchen. I had a direct line of sight on the kitchen (which also happens to house the toilet), and it seemed as though nobody is responsible for expediting the food. The result is that we waited over thirty minutes between the first and second courses of the meal and then we waited some more. That's a felony in fine dining and Chez should serve a harsh sentence. But, instead, a plea: Please restore some of the grace that made this place a destination. At the very least, don't leave your customer to growl with hunger because you can't pace a meal properly. That's your bread and butter, which shouldn't resort to bread and butter. read more

Amazing start to finish. From the fresh baked sourdough to the plum galette it was all delicious. The cafe is lovely and upscale but not at all pretentious. You could enjoy a date night here or even a small family dinner. The menu changes often as Chef Waters has built her name on preparing fresh, seasonal, organic, local cuisine. We shared the roast tomato soup and chicory/beet salad to start, grass-fed filet (with anchovy butter!) and chicken leg with polenta and for dessert: plum galette with vanilla ice cream, chocolate pave with toasted pecans and bourbon caramel sauce and the cream puff with strawberries. Yes, two people happily stuffing ourselves with two appetizers, two entrees and three desserts. You only love once. Enjoy it and eat at Chez Panisse! read more

I love this place, been here many times up and downstairs, and this is the first post covid meal here. Very mediocre. Waiter lingered a little too long laughing at his own insights and engaging us to look at the smoky sunset. He was really quite nice but I did not come to chez Panisse to hang out with him. Server at the top of the stairs did not greet or say good evening, just waited for me to get out of her way. Can't say hello? I greeted her and she responded, maybe she was tired? I know we are all pressed and stressed these days, but when paying $200.00+ for a meal I am old fashioned, I expect kind, considerate and attentive but not intrusive service. The food was not great. It was ok. Uninspired. Local, yes, fresh, yes, but uninspired, watery vegetables, bland undercooked pasta, and basic fish. SO what . Why is that $200.00? That is not a food revolution. That is just overpriced food. NO love in that meal at all.I was really looking forward to a beautiful meal and brought a very special friend, waited weeks for a reservation. We were both really disappointed as I have had many inspired meal at Chez. oh well. Everything changes. read more

I can't give zero so it is one star. This review is not about the food or services. I have been to the cafe numerous times. It just so happens it is always at the spur of the moment and not at peak dinner or lunch time so have just walked in without reservation. A couple of friends wanted to take me out to lunch for my birthday next Saturday so I proceeded to make a reservation. First, as many of you already know, it is the most archaic way, you can only call to make reservations. Fine - whatever illogical reason you have for that, it is your policy. Second, after being on hold for 10 min (if you are going to make people call to make reservations, you should pick up faster), I was told the day I wanted was fully booked for party of 4. The reservationist says you can call back to see if we have cancellations. So I asked if it would make a lot more sense if they took my name and number down and called me if there is a cancellation. She says: oh we only do that for the restaurant, but not the cafe. WTF - pardon my language but seriously, WTF! Are you saying people who came to your cafe somehow deserve less than the people who go to the restaurant, Are you saying that the people who go to your cafe, their time is not as valuable? Are you saying that your level of customer service depends on the number of $? 3 vs 4? Are you saying it is ok to insult your patrons to the cafe? Are you that pompous as to believe that policy is acceptable?! read more

A-OK. I went here for my birthday celebration and the fine dining experience is quite good. However, the food is mediocre - it is a bit too salty, and the salmon isn't as fresh as I would imagine it to be. I do think that for the price (around $100? per person), it is a good fine dining experience. It is a Berkeley 'hotspot' where everyone is super hyped about. So it is worth a try! read more

What kind of crack were the Michelin people smoking when they de-starred Chez Panisse? With the longstanding hype, I came for lunch as a "trial run" to make sure it does not suck before I come for the full tasting. I expected the restaurant to be rustic, the service to be solid but relaxed, the food to taste like it was picked moments before it hit my plate, and every ingredient to stand on its own untainted by technology or fanfare. And that is exactly what I got. I have never liked simple greens, peas, and oranges as much as I did during this meal. There is nothing jarring or unfamiliar, its just the way you wished you could make your food taste at home. But who has time to tend their own garden and cook from it these days? (or have enough space to even have a garden?) Michelin, you guys really are are a bunch of crackpots! read more

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100% worth it for the cost. Seasonal, fresh food that isn't dressed up with fancy tricks or ingredients you've never heard of. Just simple dishes done really well. Came here with my parents recently for lunch and was impressed as always. Standouts included the carrot soup with a hint of curry flavor, the duck breast served crispy with figs and the great bottle of rosé our waitress recommended. It's definitely a pricey meal but worth it. Delicious! read more

MMMMMM! May I just say......DAYUMMM GINA!......The food was excellent, setting was cool, and easy to park ma impala. read more

A higher end restaurant that lacks the formality and pretentiousness you would expect. The atmosphere was friendly and intimate, perfect for my birthday dinner. Service was very good. They had someone routinely scan the area to check our status making sure our food was timed properly. Dinner started off with the fried vegetables that reminded me of a very light tempura, but what made it unique was the horseradish cream. As the second dish, a fish ravioli in broth came out, I got a big waft of seafood smell. The flavor however was much more subtle. My lamb rib and loin were perfectly cooked and came with a gratin of parsnip and celery root, a great change of pace from generic potatoes. The night finished off with a pear tart that wasn't overly sweet. It came with a candle and paper ribbon with happy birthday printed on it. +1 for you Alice Waters. The food here isn't necessarily groundbreaking, but it really isn't supposed to be anyways. Come here expecting to have a well conceived, non-contrived, locally sourced food. I believe this is how food should be. read more

Came here to eat brunch with my mom and sister. Had a wonderful experience! Salad with cured salmon and beets was really refreshing and interesting Halibut over artichokes was cooked perfectly and delicious Chicken with fries and greens was simple, homey and really tasty Eggs over butter beans with chili oil was an outstanding surprise Dessert was homemade mint chocolate chip ice cream and creme brulee We also ended with a roscato, and it was all a great meal. The service was polite, prompt and very attentive. The food was amazing, executed with precise care, and tasted extraordinary. I would definitely dine here again. read more

Even after years CPC remains true to its original excellence of the best of local ingredients made simply resulting in delicious food with no pretense. Excellent wine list, the best service and hospitality you will find anywhere by the staff and comfortable setting. Can't help but mention the strawberry ice cream here. It is beyond excellent. So pure and intense and served with beautiful fresh berries. Wow. read more

Chez Panisse Cafe may not the world renowned restaurant by Alice Waters but the experience felt equally great. I promised myself ever since a first year at Cal, that I will dine at Chez Panisse before graduation and I kind of did. It was AMAZING. I made a reservation for 3 people on a weekday lunch (Cinco de Mayo). The cafe is located upstairs, right above the restaurant, with an open kitchen, filling the entire restaurant with delicious, mouthwatering aromas. I could not help but notice the care and delicate hands that the chefs used to craft each dish. Service: Service was wonderful. First off, we were walked to our reserved table which was situated in a small room with the most perfect natural lighting from the sunny afternoon. The entire atmosphere provided by the service and ambiance felt very welcoming and refreshing. Our waitress was very attentive to us during the entire meal. I think our busboy was probably new because he seemed nervous, nevertheless was very helpful during our entire meal. They offer complimentary sparkling water and a loaf of french bread probably made fresh at the cafe. Decorum: Beautifully lit, the ceiling had glass windows lining the sides, allowing the perfect amount of life to shine through. Modern decor and reminiscent of a classy french bistro. It was Cinco de Mayo, so there were colorful strips of paper strung from the ceiling, each with the words "Chez Panisse" cut out. What I really appreciated was the intricate details in everything. Even the sparkling water glass was etched with Chez Panisse. (cute!) Food: The menu of the week was inspired by Diana Kennedy and based on a Cinco de Mayo theme. My friends and I each ordered something different to share: 1) stewed pork with vegetable puree and watercress salad 2) wood oven baked tuscan chicken with mushrooms and other garden vegetables 3) northern halibut with snap peas, daikon and herb butter. I didn't have the meat dishes but my halibut was seared to perfection. It was incredibly moist, springy to the touch and literally melted in my mouth--I think it's really difficult to achieve this texture from halibut, thereby really showcases the chef's cooking skills. My friends really loved their dishes. We cleared out entree pretty quickly. Each entree was around $20 but was well worth it! They also have a prix fixe menu during lunch, which includes a salad, entree and dessert. For dessert, we shared the Crimson rhubarb tart with cinnamon ice cream and Strawberry tres leches cake. Both were sensational and very unique. I've had rhubarb in the past, but I really liked the natural flavors and textures of the vegetable that was retained in the tart. The warm dessert, contrasted by the cold cinnamon ice cream, was delicious. Cinnamon ice cream was just as good as something from ici's (who's owner was originally the pastry chef at chez panisse). I fell in love with the tres leches cake, which was soaked overnight in cream, evaporated and condensed milk; it was incredibly moist and flavorful. Overall, I am very glad that I came and have promised myself and a friend to return in the future to dine at the actual restaurant. To me, our entire meal at the cafe was a wonderful dining experience. I vow to return!!! read more

Chez Panisse - Crimson rhubarb tart with cinnamon ice cream - New American Near Me - Berkeley, California