A Friend
Chez Panisse is a friend. Alice Water’s is the founder and like Chez Panisse, she too is a dear old friend. Alice educates high school students in Berkley on growing and preparing organic food.
Chez Panisse is snug in seating and the atmosphere is very mature. I opted for a picnic table and bench seating near the bar for space and clear vibe purposes.
Although the staff is not what you would expect from a northern California organic restaurant, it is not phony and it works really well. Season to season the menu changes daily. I was lucky to score a bottle of Brunello di Montalcino ’99. It was so good that I told the waiter that my friend was driving, which is true, but I only said this so that I could relish the wine. Some Italian wine connoisseurs have told me that if they had to choose one wine to enjoy, it would be a Montalcino.
The desert that I enjoyed was a bowl of Fairview Gardens clementines (tangerines). They rang on my palate fifteen minutes after I ate them. I also enjoyed Barhi dates (butter nectar) that hit the perfect spot on my palate. The Blue Bottle of organic coffee was just the right touch with my fruit desert.
The cuisine hits you right where green organic and northern California can perfectly fuse together. Chez Panisse is a friend and friends can appreciate the treasure of friendship over a wonderful meal. The language of friendship is lovely. Seal your lips at the times in a language of the heart and soul, which we never tire from.
Have a walk in Berkley before or after dining at Chez Panisse. You will see faces that you don’t see anywhere else in the world. Who knows? You might stumble upon a new friend. Remember, friends are in our lives for reasons, seasons, or lifetimes. Whatever the limitation of the friendship, enjoy it. Make sure to share a meal at Chez Panisse with that special friend while you are at it.