ROMMI LINNIK
city of chefs
Berkeley, CA
Come for the (counter) Culture, Stay for the Food
in Berkeley
S
et on sparkling San Francisco
Bay, Berkeley once buzzed
with political and social protests over issues of the day. Today, the
city is still “counter-culture,” but in a
different sense as it has become one
of the West’s most dynamic and delicious dining destinations. Berkeley
is a culinary wonderland of boutique
restaurants, creative chefs, artisan food
shops, urban winemakers, and “hoppy” microbreweries.
The “California Cuisine” movement was born here, 40-plus years ago
at Alice Water’s seminal Chez Panisse.
Chez Panisse continues to set a high
bar for fine dining as it serves as the
unofficial anchor of North Berkeley
“Gourmet Ghetto.” Berkeley is known
for its amazing culinary culture
78 FOOD TRAVELER | WINTER 2013
and innovators that follow Waters’
“flavor-first” philosophy.
Berkeley’s dining options feature
farm-to-fork, tail-to-snout cuisine
from around the world. Visitors can
opt for a Parisian-style bistro, an authentic Northern Indian restaurant,
hip cafes and kitchens serving local, sustainable, and organic cuisine,
a savory Thai restaurant, or classic
counter-service diners. Dine gourmet
or get quick service; sip organic juice
or savor Berkeley-brewed beer (California’s microbrewery movement
started right here in Berkeley). Wander down Center Street’s Restaurant
Row, where you can enjoy a romantic
dinner under the stars before taking
in a Downtown Arts District show.
Speaking of stars in this “city of
Gather Restaurant’s Chef Sean Baker,
an Esquire Magazine Chef of the Year,
is taking omnivore cuisine to celestial
new levels.