Chez Panisse menu overview

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Berkeley, Chez Panisse offers an unforgettable farm-to-table dining experience that celebrates the essence of California's seasonal bounty. The menu is a carefully curated selection of dishes that showcase fresh, locally sourced ingredients with a sophisticated yet approachable style that has made this establishment a culinary landmark.

starters

Begin your meal with exquisite starters that blend fresh vegetables, seafood, and vibrant flavors. Highlights include the warm asparagus and black trumpet mushroom salad drizzled with a tangy mustard vinaigrette and crunchy breadcrumbs, alongside the black trumpet mushroom and asparagus salad complemented by creamy ricotta and a delicate Banyuls vinaigrette. The wild king salmon gravlax is a refined choice, paired with asparagus, endive salad, and a sorrel sauce that beautifully balances richness and acidity.

Warm asparagus and black trumpet mushroom salad with mustard vinaigrette and breadcrumbs
Black trumpet mushroom and asparagus salad with ricotta and Banyuls vinaigrette
Wild king salmon gravlax with asparagus, endive salad, and sorrel sauce
Kaki Farms asparagus with rocket and fennel salad, prosciutto, and salsa verde
Smoked black cod with Little Gem lettuce, golden beets, mustard blossoms, and crème fraîche
Fried asparagus with horseradish cream and herb salad

mains

Chez Panisse’s main courses are a celebration of fresh seafood, tender meats, and inventive seasonal pairings. Dive into the Dungeness crab pasta infused with bright notes of Meyer lemon, ginger, coriander, and a touch of hot pepper that awakens the palate. The grilled California white sea bass arrives with a luscious beurre rouge, paired alongside fennel gratin, crispy gaufrette potatoes, fresh spinach, and fried capers for a harmonious ocean-inspired dish.

Dungeness crab pasta with Meyer lemon, ginger, coriander, and hot pepper
Grilled California white sea bass with beurre rouge, fennel gratin, gaufrette potatoes, spinach, and fried capers
Gulf shrimp tortellini in bouillabaisse broth
Spit-roasted Becker Lane Farm pork loin with house-cured sauerkraut, marble potatoes, baby carrots, and sauce ravigote
Tagliatelle with smoked San Francisco black cod, Meyer lemon, and trout roe
Grilled Wolfe Ranch quail with potato purée, artichokes à la barigoule, and Tokyo turnips
Dungeness crab soup with wild fennel and green garlic croûton
Stemple Creek Ranch grass-fed beef rib-eye spit-roasted with rosemary; with spring onions, wild mushrooms, and chard
Wild mushroom agnolotti in brodo with asparagus and Parmesan
Grilled Paine Farm squab au poivre with glazed turnips, roasted spring onions, and gingery greens
Full Belly Farm lamb rack and loin with Béarnaise sauce, sautéed spinach, roasted baby carrots, and gaufrette potatoes

desserts

Conclude your meal with elegant, flavorful desserts that offer sweet and refreshing notes. The crème caramel with Page mandarins delivers a silky texture and bright citrus finish, while the bittersweet chocolate custard accompanied by churros and polvorones provides a rich contrast of flavors and textures. The blood orange granita served with vanilla sherbet and tangerine ice cream is a refreshing palate cleanser, and the hazelnut-chocolate torte with Marsala caramel adds a decadent finale. For a lighter sweet touch, the île flottante with passionfruit and tangerines offers a delicate balance of creaminess and fruitiness.

Île flottante with passionfruit and tangerines
Bittersweet chocolate custard with churros and polvorones
Meyer lemon vol-au-vent
Blood orange granita with vanilla sherbet and tangerine ice cream
Hazelnut-chocolate torte with Marsala caramel
Crème caramel with Page mandarins
Huckleberry ice cream meringue tartlet

specials and drinks

Chez Panisse is renowned not only for its exquisite dishes but also for its thoughtfully curated drinks menu. Guests can enjoy a selection of fine wines and craft cocktails that perfectly complement the meal’s nuanced flavors. The atmosphere upstairs offers a cozy bar setting ideal for sipping a cocktail or savoring a glass of wine, making it a perfect spot for both intimate evenings and lively gatherings. The kitchen’s daily specials showcase the freshest seasonal ingredients, ensuring an ever-evolving dining adventure that reflects the richness of California’s farms and coast.

4.3

California cuisine

1517 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94709, USA

(510) 548-5525

Closed - Opens 11:30 AM

Monday

17:00–22:00

Tuesday

11:30–14:30, 17:00–22:00

Wednesday

11:30–14:30, 17:00–22:00

Thursday