S.F. Bay Area
East Bay
Berkeley Restaurants
Chez Panisse Café ****

1517 Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley
(between Cedar & Vine Sts)
510-548-5049

Cuisine: Californian

Description & Atmosphere
Chez Panisse Café is located directly upstairs from Chez Panisse Restaurant. Although it's not as casual as you might expect it to be — the food is everything you expect it to be...and more.

The Café features an à la carte menu and has an open kitchen and a wood-burning oven. Like the restaurant downstairs, the Café has dark hardwood floors and wood paneling. The long dining area is divided into several small sections. We like the back room with the stained-glass skylight. It's cozy and bright. Colorful French posters line the walls. High energy, yet low-key ambiance — perfect for entertaining clients and out-of-town guests.

Food
Highly-acclaimed Chef Alice Waters has received numerous dining awards. She believes that the best-tasting food is organically grown and harvested in ways that are ecologically sound. Each dish on the menu is perfection.

A sample lunch menu might include Grapefruit and Valencia Orange Salad with spring onions and black olives, and an amazing Local King Salmon Salad with cucumbers, almonds, parsley, watercress and mint, drizzled in olive oil. The Grilled Tombo Tuna and the Pizza with Rapini and Anchovy, are both sensational. Yummy desserts.

Menu changes daily. Impressive wine list.

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