First Look: 'Cool beans' gets new meaning at Berkeley's charming Bar Panisse

"Amelia Telc, who's worked at Mission Chinese Food in New York and operated pop-ups in Sonoma County, including at the Bodega Bay's hidden gem Casino Bar & Grill. Telc keeps her focus on uncluttered, surgically sourced recipes that are quietly creative and quite delicious - channeling her inner Waters, perhaps, though it's indisputably her own show."

"The restaurant is open five days a week and does not accept reservations. That can lead to a logjam at the door, with people arriving before opening and then still waiting for indeterminate times. The popularity of Bar Panisse perhaps dispels one fear the restaurateurs might've had - that the place would be shunned by the community."

"A design aesthetic, akin to mid-century modern with a polished-wood nautical feel, gives the space a classy but comforting ambience. Large windows that open to the sidewalk offer views of passing foot traffic, or pe"

Bar Panisse is a new restaurant adjacent to Berkeley's iconic Chez Panisse, operating as a more casual and affordable alternative. Chef Amelia Telc, with experience at Mission Chinese Food and Sonoma County pop-ups, leads the kitchen with uncluttered, surgically sourced recipes that maintain farm-to-table principles while establishing her own culinary identity. Open five days weekly without reservations, the restaurant attracts crowds despite replacing the longtime tapas restaurant Cesar. The space features mid-century modern design with nautical elements, a full bar serving wine and cocktails, and large windows opening to the street. Diners treat it primarily as a restaurant rather than a bar, with celebrated menu items including Dungeness crab and herby butter beans.

Read at The Mercury News