Chez Panisse

This is where chef/owner Alice Waters created California cuisine more than 35 years ago. Her modest, wood-framed restaurant still reigns supreme, serving impeccable prix fixe dinners downstairs in the restaurant and more casual ŕ la carte meals in the upstairs café. Ingredients are always fresh, local, organic and of the very best quality. The excellent wine list combines French and Californian options, but you can also bring your own if you're prepared to pay the $25 corkage fee. You can (and should) book up to one month in advance for both the restaurant and café; a credit card deposit of $25 per person is required for the restaurant.