Reported By: Jane Lurie

Lunch at Chez Panisse in Berkeley is our annual tradition when we’re staying in San Francisco.

After sampling heirloom tomatoes for a month in various restaurants throughout the city, I hesitated to order them but then realized that this is the one place I should. This is the kind of dish Alice Waters is known for. My plate arrived filled with gorgeous, thinly sliced tomatoes, dressed simply in a light vinaigrette with herbs sprinkled over them. The combination of flavors burst upon my first bite and defined summer all over again and why uncomplicated, fresh and organic are Alice’s mantra. I could go on and on about the Puttanesca pasta dish that followed but I’ll leave you with thoughts of perfect summer heirloom tomatoes.

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   Chez Panisse – Berkeley, CA – Saturday, July 30, 2005
2. Chez Black – Positano, Italy – Saturday, November 24, 2007
3. 
   Pizzaiolo: Applying Touches of Chez Panisse to Pizza
4. Taylor Cafe – Taylor, TX – Wednesday, August 20, 2008
5. Sfoglia Trattoria – Nantucket, MA – Monday, August 27, 2007

This entry is filed under Dispatches.