We took a trip to Berkeley to indulge in a delicious lunch at Chez Panisse. We ate a three course, local and organic meal, and drank elderflower soda and rose wine. The restaurant is situated in a house, which has an upstairs cafe and an intimate dining room on the bottom floor, where chefs (in the photo above) were preparing the day’s set dinner menu. It was nice to peek in on their wood burning stove, and talk with one of them about his work. The setting was elegant and comfortable, the staff knowledgeable, and I was so happy to sit in a restaurant that represents so fully my eating values. My dinner companions ordered fish and duck, and I knowing these animals were treated with respect and were raised using sustainable practices was a good feeling. Here was my main dish, assorted peppers and eggplant with saffron rice and raita:

Next order of the day, brunch on the roof of Ayrin’s apartment. Champagne with pomegranate juice, local organic fruit from the farmer’s market, Pavel’s yogurt and French toast. The afternoons here have been sunny and beautiful (before the fog rolls in and I pull out my wool sweater).

Things are starting up at Slow Food Nation. We stopped by the Victory Garden this evening and I took a quick photo. City Hall was behind me. Tomorrow I will be in the midst of the garden working as a docent. More to come!