Head north on Shattuck Avenue to Berkeley’s Gourmet Ghetto. This neighborhood is home to an incredible variety of high quality restaurants. Chez Panisse (1517 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley), the restaurant that popularized both California Cuisine and the local food movement, is the elder statesmen of the Gourmet Ghetto. Chez Panisse has both a fixed price restaurant that is open for dinner only (510-548-5525) and a more casual café that is open for lunch and dinner (510-548-5049). Reservations are a must!There are many other great restaurants in this neighborhood, including:
Cesar, a tapas bar with a very a creative menu and excellent cocktails (1515 Shattuck Avenue, open daily noon to midnight. 510-883.-222)The Cheeseboard Pizza Collective makes one kind of pizza a day, and it is always unique and always great. The Cheeseboard is open for lunch and dinner, but they do close for an afternoon siesta. (1512 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley. 510-549-3055) Carryout only and the lines can get long so plan appropriately.
Gregoire Restaurant serves carry-out high-end sandwiches and dinner entrées that are meticulously prepared using classical French cooking techniques and the finest natural and organic ingredients. The perfect spot if you want both fast and fine dining. Make sure to order the potato puffs--they are a little bit of heaven! (2109 Cedar Street. (1/2 block off Shattuck) (510) 883-1893)Cha-ya is one of the most unique restaurants in this area, an intimate vegan Japanese restaurant that never disappoints. The restaurant is very small, so best for small groups. Worth the wait--make sure to order the mushroom miso soup. (1686 Shattuck Ave, Berkeley. (510) 981-1213)
If none of these peak your interest, just take a stroll down Shattuck between Virginia and Vine Streets and pick on of the other great restaurants in the neighborhood.
