Chez Panisse - Berkeley

Have been wanting to go to Chez Panisse for a long time and I finally made it. Totally worth the wait. The food and the service are awesome! Definitely plan to come back again.

Superb food. Impeccable, attentive but not-constantly-interrupting service.

Chez Panisse is the best restaurant I have ever been to. Even coming in with high expectations, I still found myself blown away. Literally everything was perfect. The food was fresh and delicious, the service was impeccable, the wine pairings were fantastic. Obviously it's pricey, but it's well worth every cent.

Chez Panisse lived up to its reputation. Beautiful setting and innovative food. The chef even catered to my food allergy and the change in ingredients did not compromise my selections. This is a must do experience for foodies. Despite its reputation the service is personal and without airs. The food is innovative and the chef continues to strive for excellence. Never stuffy but always friendly.

Chez Panisse is everything you've heard it is. Spend your rent money on it. It's unicorns and puppies and everything nice. It's your long-lost parent finally coming back from the store from getting a pack of smokes 20 years ago and letting you know they've amassed your fortune and you'll never have to work again. It's one of those weird gel mattresses covered in plush faux fur with a massage underneath. It's incredible. It's amazing. The courses will arrive, perfectly timed, and you won't know that you're slower than everyone else in the restaurant because no one will indicate a rush. We were there for over three hours. It was glorious. Every moment. There's one menu a day, which I didn't know. I thought we were getting appetizers and choosing our mains. I am apparently a pleb. The bread was delicious, and yet, we somehow didn't fill up on it. The starter sparkling wine was elderflower and peach leaf and made from the cry-laughing tears of angels. The Halibut Salmon course was delicate and so light it floated on the tongue. The lasagna, which was the dish I was going to order, was somehow delicate and hearty at once, with truffle. The lamb... must literally have been Mary's Little Lamb. I have never tasted anything like it. Who knows what you'll get. It's amazing. The service is fantastic, attentive, and not intrusive. Born and raised in the Bay Area, I've always wondered what all the fuss is about. Now I know. We'll go back every year.