After waiting many years to visit Chez Panisse, since we live on the East Coast and don't get out that way often, we finally got a reservation -- or so we thought. After calling to reconfirm, we were told that we did not have one because we never gave a deposit (which was never requested) and found out that they had taken our phone number incorrectly, which is why we were cancelled. After much conversation, we were accommodated and our reservation was reinstated. We probably would have been better off if it had not been.\r
The food was average at best, the decor very, very tired. The best part of the meal was the aperitif. The service was very good, but that does not make up for the lackluster meal that followed. The meal was prepared with so little imagination, that it almost felt like I could have made it at home if I wanted to. \r
We visited other ""exceptional"" restaurants during this trip -- Gary Danko in San Francisco being one -- and enjoyed them immensely. \r
Would not recommend Chez Panisse nor would we ever return.
Pros: service
Cons: food, decor, lack of parking
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