FOOD: Not-So-Simple Simplicity- Chez Panisse

Happy long birthday weekend to me! The Long Day Of Eating commenced with an amazing pizza from Pizzetta211. I mistakenly thought they had just opened, but apparently they've been around for 20 years. Where have I been? I guess under the same rock where I realized I didn't know about Rachel Zoe's pregnancy till she had her kid.

I had a San Marzano tomato pizza with mascarpone and arugula. LOVE arugula on pizza. The tomato sauce was zippy from a slight chili kick, a good balance for the peppery greens.

 

After digesting a few hours, was off to dinner at Chez Panisse. What a lesson on simplicity- so clean, but so deceivingly complex. Everything was perfectly balanced. The salad was dressed in a simple lemon-oil vinaigrette, but was so balanced it became complex.

 smoked salmon and black cod salad with steelhead caviar. probably my fave

spring vegetable ragout with coriander. started eating before taking a pretty picture

grilled Sonoma Liberty duck breast with kumquat, pommes dauphines, and young spinach. perfect!!

mint tisane

yay! bittersweet chocolate fondant with caramel ice cream and candied pecans

dressed up dates and apricots

After the meal we got a kitchen tour from chef Jean-Pierre.

 duck, over a coal fire

So clean, beautiful, and homey. And...so clean. Even the protein walk-ins smelled appetizing...and I'm not usually one to find the smell of raw meat appetizing. The veggie walk-ins smelled so fresh. Amazing... *inhale*.....aaaaaahhhhhhh

Chef Jean-Pierre having fun with us

Chef Jean-Pierre showing us his potato choux for pommes dauphines

 

I also learned something new. In 39 years of service, Chez Panisse has never repeated a menu. Ever. Now that's some on-your-toes creativity.

last look: my "perfect bite" obsession