{"id":86617,"date":"2025-12-08T20:58:07","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T20:58:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/86617\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T20:58:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T20:58:07","slug":"for-special-occasions-its-hard-to-beat-chez-panisse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/86617\/","title":{"rendered":"For special occasions, it’s hard to beat Chez Panisse"},"content":{"rendered":"

When it comes to birthdays, anniversaries and other big occasions, diners are reluctant to leave things to chance. If you are going to dip into your cash reserves for a meal, it better deliver.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When Nosh Awards voters picked their favorite restaurant in the East Bay for special occasions, Chez Panisse, the Bay Area\u2019s slow food flag bearer, came out on top for the second year in a row.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Nosh readers cast their votes prior to Thanksgiving, and the results of the\u00a02025 Nosh Awards\u00a0are in. Visit Nosh every day from now until Dec. 12 to see a new award announced each day. Congratulations to all the winners!<\/p>\n

The influence of Chez Panisse, and its hyper-focus on regional, seasonal ingredients, is seen across California and the world, with alumni going on to helm their own award-winning, celebrated restaurants such as Zuni Cafe, Ramen Shop, Standard Fare, and Coyote Cafe.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As restaurants come and go, the fact that Chez Panisse keeps going strong in its 54th year is testament enough to its consistent quality and ability to keep delighting diners.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The other nominees for Best Restaurant for Special Occasion in 2025 were Juanita & Maude, Commis, Sun Moon Studio, Sushi Salon and The Wolf.<\/p>\n

Pretty much everything that can be said about the North Shattuck restaurant Alice Waters founded in 1971 has already been published, so Nosh is going to let the voters take it away.\u00a0<\/p>\n

What Nosh Awards voters said about Chez Panisse:<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing treated to a bday at Chez (in the upstairs) was a highlight of my eating life! They sure know their way around veggies and hospitality\u201d \u2014 S.A. Berkeley<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s where everything in the food revolution started. It\u2019s the gold standard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cClassic and gorgeous and delicious of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSimply the best.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChez Panisse consistently delivers the highest quality, flavorful seasonal food paired with top notch service in a relaxed and homey atmosphere. Their fruit desserts are phenomenal!\u201d \u2014 Christa, Berkeley<\/p>\n

\u201cChez Panisse can make any occasion a special occasion.\u201d \u2014 James, Santa Rosa<\/p>\n

1517 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley; www.chezpanisse.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is there to say? It\u2019s Chez Panisse!\u00a0 Will they have foams on the plate? No.\u00a0 Dry Ice or smoke? No.\u00a0 Ingredients that are at peak freshness and hopefully local availability? ABSOLUTELY!\u00a0 Chez Panisse is fighting to show that simple fresh ingredients makes great food.\u00a0 Sit back and don\u2019t overthink it.\u00a0 Enjoy what nature has given and CP has cooked beautifully!\u201d \u2014 Mike O\u2019Brien, Oakland<\/p>\n

\u201cHas been for 40+ years of my residence here.\u00a0 Fantastic ingredients with damn skilled chef skills to best showcase them.\u00a0And a daily changing menu means always a surprise.\u201d \u2014 Larry, Oakland<\/p>\n

\u201cA classic and important in food history. Also, still the bomb.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always an occasion to eat at Chez Panisse. The food never disappoints.\u201d \u2014 Deborah Mann, Oakland<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t say enough about Chez Panisse. I tell everyone to go there. 10 stars!!!\u201d \u2014 Cathy, Turlock<\/p>\n

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