Dear Colleagues,
In San Francisco at points easily reached from Berkeley by BART
Anjou [*, $ to $$] (415-392-5373). A wonderful small French restaurant down an alley off of Union Square with superb classics and a pear dessert to die for. It reminds me of a few very nice and friendly spots in Paris. Daan Frenkel enjoyed his dinner at Anjou very much. Reservations a few days in advance recommended.
Boulevard [*,$$] (415--543-6084). Maybe the best of the San Francisco/brasserie style, located close to Market Street at the Bay. John Weeks loves this place. Reservations more than a week in advance recommended.
Campton Place [**,$$$] (415-955-5555). A great formal restaurant on Union Square in the Campton Place Hotel. Famous for its French cuisine and its martinis. One of Hans Andersen's favorites. Reservations more than a week in advance recommended.
Fleur de Lys [**,$$$] (415-673-7779). Probably San Francisco's best, it is a great French restaurant a few blocks from Union Square. Reservations more than a week in advance recommended.
Hayes Street Bar and Grill [*,$ to $$] (415-863-5545). A wonderful fish restaurant near the Civic Center. Desserts are memorable too. One of Mike Klein's favorites. Reservations a few days in advance recommended.
Postrio [*,$$$] (415-776-7825). On Post Street, near Union Square, it is Wolfgang Puck's inventive San Francisco restaurant. When Bill Gates and Warren Buffett had dinner together in San Francisco, this is where they went. Reservations more than one week in advance recommended.
Zuni Cafe [*,$ to $$] (415-552-2522). Near the Civic Center, a long-time-ago descendant of Chez Panise, always has great selections of oysters and rustic specialties made in a wood burning oven. One of Olke Uhlenbeck's favorites. Reservations a few days in advance recommended.
In Berkeley close to the UC Campus.
Downtown [*,$$] (510-649-3810). Located at the corner of Shattuck and Addison, a few steps from the Berkeley Rep Theatre, and two blocks from campus, this restaurant has a large high ceiling handsome dinning room, and serves great seafood, good cocktails and excellent desserts. Reservations recommended.
Liaison [*,$] (510-849-2155) It is a very cheerful French bistro style restaurant located on the corner of Shattuck and Hearst. With a short menu of standard French classics, the food is authentically prepared, delicious and remarkably priced. Reservations recommended. It is one of Phill Geissler's favorite places to eat.
The Great China [$] (510-843-7996). While it looks like a hole-in-the-wall on Kittridge Street a few steps from Campus, this Chinese restaurant can make very good food. It was David Wu's favorite during his student years at Berkeley.
Yu-Ying Garden [$] (510-848-4849). On Shattuck between University Ave and Addison Street, this is a good Chinese restaurant with a long menu. Sir Michael Berry enjoyed his dinner here.
In Berkeley a long walk or a short taxi ride from Campus.
Chez Panise Cafe [**,$$] (510-548-5049). On Shattuck Avenue in Berkeley's gourmet ghetto, this restaurant is world famous and deserves to be so. The best of California cuisine. Reservations as early as four weeks in advance recommended.
Zax Tavern [*,$$] (510-848-9299) This Californian/Mediterranean style restaurant is located on Telegraph Avenue two blocks north of Ashby. The cooking and service are excellant and the wine selection is good. Frequented by many of Berkeley's finest (Graham Fleming, Steve Chu ...) reservations are recommended.
Kirala [$] 510-549-3486 At the corner of Shattuck and Ward. An excellent Japanese restaurant.
In Berkeley or neighboring communities more than one mile from the UC campus.
Bay Wolf [**,$$] (510-655-6004). This great California cuisine restaurant in the Piedmont area of Oakland is in a class with the Chez Panise Cafe, but it's quieter than its more famous sister. It's Elaine Chandler's favorite in the East Bay. Michael Fisher is among the many statistical mechanicians to enjoy dinners there. Reservations a few days in advance recommended.
East Ocean Hong Kong [*,$$] (510-655-3388). At a spectacular setting overlooking the Bay in Emeryville, this Chinese restaurant specializes in seafood. Juanpe Garrahan describes the food as "great." Reservations recommended.
Garibaldi's [*,$$] (510-595-4000). Located on College Avenue in the Rockridge area, this hopping place in the San Francisco/brasserie style makes great steaks, excellent grilled fish and terrific drinks. If you are bothered by noise, you will want a table far from the bar. It's one of Dan Neumark's favorites in the East Bay. Reservations recommended.
Isobune Sushi [$] (510-601-1424). A good sushi bar located on College Avenue not far from the Rockridge BART station.
Kirin Chinese [$] (510-524-1677). Located near the top (East End) of Solano Avenue, arguably the best Chinese food in the East Bay, but the volume of noise can be tiring.
Oliveto [*,$ to $$] (510-547-5356). Located on College Avenue close to the Rockridge BART station, it is Paul Bertolli's Italian-style restaurant. When Bertolli, a founding chef of Chez Panise, is working in the kitchen, the food is sublime. Other times it can be less so. It's best if you can make a reservation saying that one of Bertolli's friends (e.g., Alex Pines) has recommended the place to you.
Rivolli [*,$$] (510-526-2542). Located on Solano Avenue at the Albany/Berkeley line, in the style of Chez Panise, this restaurant serves large portions and John Weeks loves it. Reservations a few days in advance recommended.
Sweet Basil [$] (510-527-8611). Located on Solano Avenue, it is one of the East Bay's best Thai restaurants.
The Chandler Group also came up with another list of their favorite places for food and drink. It can be accessed here.
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