Peace, Love & Chow: Berkeley's Gourmet Ghetto is really a state of mind. On the one hand, it's the section of Shattuck Avenue bordered by Rose Street on the north and Hearst on the south. On the other, it's an approach to life (and to food, which is probably more important to a true Gourmet Ghetto-ite) in which the pursuit of quality is absolutely uncompromising. Every bit of food must be well chosen for the dish, at its peak of flavor, organically grown (preferably by a small grower personally known to you), and prepared in a way that showcases its best qualities. It's true that this degree of perfectionism can seem ridiculous -- it's just food, after all. Taken at its best, however, it's a way of approaching life that makes living a true pleasure and deeply connects you to the earth and to other people through the medium of food.
Alice Waters opened Chez Panisse in 1971, the Gourmet Ghetto was primed and ready for a food breakthrough. Peet's Coffee, Tea and Spices and the Cheese Board were both open by '67, and were busily preparing America, used to Velveeta and Folger's Crystals, to grasp the complexities of good coffee and good cheese. They're both still in the neighborhood, as is Chez Panisse, and lots of businesses in the area take the same approach to heart and are ready to give you a truly quality Gourmet Ghetto experience.
All numbers are area code 510.
Café de la Paz 843-0662
César 883-0222
Cha Am 848-9664
Cheese Board Collective 549-3183
Chez Panisse 548-5525
French Hotel 843-8958
Grégoire 883-1893
Liaison 849-2155
Peet's 841-0564
Phoenix Pastificio 883-0783
Poulet 845-5932
Virginia Bakery 848-6711
Zaika 849-2452
