Comments | kalispice: heaven in a mouthful

kalispice

heaven in a mouthful

Oct 06, 2005 18:18

My favorite restaurant ever: Chez PanisseYou MUST eat there at least once before you die. I plan to eat there many more times than that. On a weekend excursion to Berkeley, I had the chance to taste a meal at this fine dining establishment, and that's when I fell in love ( Read more... )

Comments 10

benlbr October 7 2005, 01:44:46 UTC

i think anything fried is good, lol.

i'll have to check it out next time i'm in the area...

charmo October 7 2005, 05:27:25 UTC

Mmm.. as much as I wanted to love Chez Panisse .. nothing came together the last time I was there. Swordfish was dry with its accoutrements doing nothing to enhance the flavor.. I've since forgotten what else I ordered (this was valentines of this year -- and I have an elephant's memory when it comes to most dining experiences), but i do recall skipping my dessert portion and heading over to Masse's Pastries (just a block away on Shattuck) instead. I love the atmosphere created by the old california craftsman in which the restaurant is situated, as well as the dimmed lights and warm harvest scheme, there were also couples who you could tell were weekly regulars .. all very pleasant, but unfortunately didn't stand a chance in saving my meal.

I'm still *hung up* on French Laundry, though. But I suppose Chez Panisse and French Laundry are the types of places you really should visit before you die; however there aren't necessarily reasons to make a return visit.

kalispice October 7 2005, 07:26:39 UTC

it sucks that your meal wasn't memorable. i hear it's harder to get fresh ingredients in the winter, and Chez Panisse's signature mark are fresh ingredients. i haven't been to French Laundry, but one day when I can afford a $500 meal, i will.

slurpee October 7 2005, 07:56:39 UTC

yesss on chez panisse! i have only dined in the main restaurant once, but twice in the cafe upstairs (i was lucky to have an ex-boss whose favorite restaurant happened to be chez panisse so whenever he was up north for business, he'd give me a ring). :D yummm!

the entrees were delicious all three times i dined there, but the one time that i took a friend there for his bday, my dish was yum and his was mediocre (i can't remember what he ordered!!).

i haven't tried french laundry, gary danko's or slanted door though, but hope to one day. :)

kalispice October 7 2005, 08:53:31 UTC

the location at slanted door is amazing (right inside the ferry building). the food is good, but not spectacular. they do have some great flavors though i'd describe it like dressed up vietnamese cuisine. prices are pretty affordable. when i went, lunch was about $40 for two people. we ordered spring rolls, tamrin chicken, and a noodle dish. the meal comes with broken rice which is my favorite. mmm. so tasty. :)

this week's SF Examiner rated the best 4-star restaurants in the bay area and from what i can remember, these made the list: fleur de lys, the dining room at ritz carlton, chez panisse, campton place, french laundry, la folie. there were a few more, but i don't recall their names. anyway, if you make it up to the bay area again, you can add those to your list. :)

kristinthegreat October 7 2005, 17:52:34 UTC

fleur de lys was excellent! i went there on my bday couple months ago and, i was blown away by everything, i especially loved the little tiered tray of mini truffles, madelines and macaroons they gave at the end.

damn urbantea October 7 2005, 08:06:12 UTC

damn 75$ a meal!!, maybe if i'm bringing a banging breezie on a date.....

june3rd October 9 2005, 00:12:19 UTC

Hey Kel,

If you get a chance, give French Laundry a chance. It blew me away as by far the best dining experience I'd ever had, period. Better than Chez Panisse even, I think. If you're back in NYC, I hear Daniel (and db Bistro, the equivalent of the Chez Panisse cafe) are tops, similar to Jean Georges and Per Se.