Honey drenched honeycomb like pastry and eye shaped savory cheese tart were recommended. Honey comb bread reminded me of Iranian flat breads I recall from few years spent in Teheran from my childhood. Fresh out of the oven, they were Warm and crusty on the outside soft and chewy on the inside. Just like these! It’s heavenly.
このぽこぽこ凸凹のパンの食感が病みつきになりそうな程美味しく、外見も蜜蜂の巣っぽくかわいいですね。かかっている黒白胡麻のローストされ香ばしくとろり〜と塗ったハチミツとの相性良く極上なテイータイムでした。
during a stormy night at Chez Panisse, for us a memorable 2022 Eve! What was so memorable – of course the time with family we cherish. Is it like that Fleetwood Mac’s lyrics even “children grow up” but then, grown children come back and just like old times, siblings are cracking jokes and laughing – stay up for late night board games and movies and … cooking and eating and baking and eating and eating and eating …it’s the holiday season.
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Amidst all the festivities, yes, the Special Bonus surprise is that we actually saw Alice Waters! She was at the second floor bar area and waltzed over to walk over to the back to greet more patrons with a glass in her hand. The vibe – the energy of the place was completely different as soon as she was in the space.
Who is Alice Waters?
Alice Waters – while you can look up Wikipedia, I will simply say that she was the one who created the food movement of Farm to Table, Slow Food and California Cuisine, as one of the original chefs and co-proprietors of Chez Panisse. What’s relatively now a given or standard or taken for granted (such as organic foods, farmer’s market veggies, fresh in season produce from local farmers, sustainable farming – all that talking points) was not so, back in the 70’s when she opened Chez Panisse in North Berkeley.
Lucky to catch a little light from this empowereing woman. We felt that braving the storm and flooded highway was worth the journey energized by the vibe of the place. Gratitude for completing the year of 2022 with style and inspirations.
Landslide
by Stevie Nicks
I took my love, I took it down
I climbed a mountain and I turned around
And I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills
‘Til the landslide brought me down Oh, mirror in the sky
What is love?
Can the child within my heart rise above?
Can I sail through the changin’ ocean tides?
Can I handle the seasons of my life?Well, I’ve been afraid of changin’
Fleetwood Mac – 1975
‘Cause I’ve built my life around you
But time makes you bolder
Even children get older
And I’m getting older too
It’s just the Cafe not THE restaurant- yes? And still ? Could not get a reservation at all – been trying since pre-reopening – Until a slot opens up unexpectedly:) Lucky!
Recalling back in the day we didn’t need a reservation and we just casually walked in – those days are over … Still the same Mesirow’s signature copper lighting enveloped us in its warm golden glow … The lighting in this special space is … magical. We felt as though we were welcomed back into an old friends hug – it’s lovely.
The place still continues to be down to earth and authentic… like the birthday guest we were celebrating. In this day and age of eliteism and egoism, fakeness, nothing is as comforting and healing to our souls as real fresh comfort foods with unpretentious sophistication.
Happy Birthday Riki !
May you be safe
May you be well
May you be at ease
May you be happy
May we be safe
May we be well
May we be at ease
May we be happy
Gratitude for this small gathering to happen at all on this special day when a special soul graced this earth to spend some time with us … each on our destined journey to that wonderous mysterious yonder.
May we all live in peace and health with joy and compassion in our hearts.