Chez Panisse - 7/22/2005

Menu according to someone not me:

• Halibut carpaccio with avocado and lime
  
• Ricotta gnocchi with garlic brodo and summer chanterelles
  
• Cattail Creek Ranch baby lamb with stuffed vegetables a la provencal and garden lettuces
  
• Plum ice cream profiteroles with plum caramel

I'm about 4 months late on this review, but here goes. People in attendance included Donna, Walter, Trang, Tiffany, Brian, and myself, in order of arrival. If I'm wrong about this, please blame my old age and rapidly deteriorating brain, and send all hate-mail to the proper address.

The night contained an in-depth and deeply philosophical discussion concerning what makes a restaurant "good" and worthy of recommendation, and I still believe that some measure of value is what is the most important, and I'd have to say that the famous Chez Panisse scored low on the value-o-meter at least on this particular night.

The food was quality for sure, and the presentation was pleasant, but there was a lack of variety due to the fixed menu and the main lamb course seemed mundane to some degree.

In fact, I'd have to say that the gnocchi was my favorite dish of the night, and although the main course was flavorful, there was no wow factor and I can't help but think that I could've had something comparable for far less hassle and price.

That being all said, this is one of the most famous restaurants in the area (or the country?) and I am convinced that a different night could bring different results.