Years ago, I had lunch at Chez Panisse while visiting my sister, who was at the time, attending UC Berkeley. I have to say, while I do not remember what I had at the time, I do recall that it was one of the best lunches I have ever had.
The restaurant features a French menu, using local organic ingredients, and is credited with being the inspiration of the California Cuisine style of cooking. Alice Walker (owner) is known for using only the finest ingredients, with a menu that changes daily, as well as seasonally.
In 2012, the restaurant was ranked in the top 100 of the Elite Traveler World's Top Restaurants Guide, and Restaurant Magazine has consistently placed it among the top 20 restaurants in the world, ranking as high as 12th in 2003.
On March 8, 2013, the restaurant, a Berkeley institution since 1971, burned down, and many foodies (including myself) thought that an era of exceptional and reasonably affordable California Cuisine was over.
Walker, in an interview with The New York Times stated, "The very beautiful facade of the restaurant is gone. The fire started under the front porch, and it just burned the whole front porch off. We were very lucky that it happened in the middle of the night and that no one was there. But it’s gone."
In the article, she also said that she was already planning to reopen, but, with many restauranteurs, that dream seldom comes to fruition, as starting over is both costly and devastating.
Walker, in an interview with The New York Times stated, "The very beautiful facade of the restaurant is gone. The fire started under the front porch, and it just burned the whole front porch off. We were very lucky that it happened in the middle of the night and that no one was there. But it’s gone."
In the article, she also said that she was already planning to reopen, but, with many restauranteurs, that dream seldom comes to fruition, as starting over is both costly and devastating.
Today, May 23, 2013, Mercury News (Silicon Valley) announces that restaurant will reopen on June 21. Congratulations to Ms. Walker, as I look forward to many more years of Chez Panisse, and I am curious to see what you will bring to the restaurant's newest chapter.
Mercury News Article: http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_23308212/chez-panisse-reopen-2-500-dinner
No comments:
Post a Comment