Oh how I love Valentine's Day! Such a great excuse to pause for a moment, remember the ones we love, and create something... a note, a card, a piece of art.... to express our feelings and appreciation. This Valentine's I thought I'd post about a sweet menu that I created for Chez Panisse Restaurant. Alice, the owner, created a wonderful tradition of giving each couple, dining … [Read more...]
40 Years Of Chez Panisse – Part 2
Although I did not get the opportunity to create the 40th birthday menu for Chez Panisse, I did get to play a small part in the celebration and history. In honor of the 40th year the walls of the Café and Restaurant were wallpapered with hundreds of custom printed menus from the past!!! And I am pleased to say, several of them were mine. This gorgeous photograph is courtesy of … [Read more...]
40 Years Of Chez Panisse
Chez Panisse Restaurant & Alice Waters have been on my mind a lot lately. Last Sunday, August 28th, the restaurant turned 40 years old! I've been feeling very nostalgic as the restaurant and Alice have significantly influenced who I am today... not to mention, it is my 40th year as well... which makes it even more special. I've been reminiscing through old flat file drawers … [Read more...]
Happy Bastille Day!
I've grown to love July 14th, Bastille Day, as it is such a magical night at Chez Panisse Restaurant. Over the years I have created many Bastille Day menus for Chez Panisse, the above 2002 menu was my first. At Chez Panisse, Bastille Day is also a celebration of the garlic harvest. The decorations that can be found all around the restaurant are breathtaking... beautiful garlic … [Read more...]
Marion’s 80th
Spring has truly arrived here in the Bay Area. Flowers are blooming everywhere. Today's post is a "Spring Inspired" menu for Marion Cunningham's 80th birthday, a delicious Sunday supper at Chez Panisse Restaurant. I printed a botanical line drawing of a crocus onto vintage paper and hand-lettered a birthday message on the ribbon. I hand-painted each menu with soft water … [Read more...]