So I just returned from a trip to the Bay Area and a visit to Chez Panisse Cafe, which was hands down my favorite restaurant while I lived there for its combination of simple and flawless preparations of high quality local ingredients, warm and friendly atmosphere, and flawless, kind service. Since moving back a few years ago, I have been looking for the Chicago version of the same. So far, the closest that I've come are Ruxbin, Lula Cafe, and the (sadly closed) Prix Fixe, all of which hit some of the same notes but none of which totally fit the bill. Are there others that I should explore?

I'd check out North Pond or Perennial Virant.

nsxtasy wrote:I should mention, I've eaten at Chez Panisse Cafe (the upstairs casual restaurant) in the past couple of years, and I thought it was really mediocre - not dreadful, but totally ordinary, with absolutely nothing worth writing about. I could probably come up with something comparable here, but if I did, it wouldn't be a place I'd recommend.

So the OP states that this was a favorite place when (s)he lived nearby for several years and, based on what sounds like one visit, you've determined the place is "totally ordinary with absolutely nothing worth writing about." Strong statement. And pretty worthless, as long as we're making baseless pronouncements.

Totally agree with boudreaulicious. By the way, C.P. Cafe was also my favorite restaurant during the years I lived in Berkeley.

North Pond has a similar dedication to local ingredients, but the price of a meal there is about three times that of a meal at C.P. Cafe, so it's not going to fit what the OP is looking for.

I'd suggest trying Nightwood. Really good food, local ingredients, with a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

Thanks Amata. I was going to suggest Nightwood too, as well as Anteprima which though Italian focused instead of French (can't really think of any french influenced places that fit the bill, sadly) is very reasonably priced and definitely has a fresh from the market focus. On the casual side, City Provisions would be worth checking out. Sorry that I haven't had the opportunity to visit CPC to have a better frame of reference. I think probably the biggest impediment for us is an obvious one--lack of access to the year round bounty that the West Coast provides.

Add two more:

Pleasant House Bakery--call it the Anglo-option. Not a huge menu but all delicious, fresh and at least some of it very local--a portion of their produce is home grown!

And Vera, for the Spanish version. Lots of lovely veg dishes.

Amata wrote:Totally agree with boudreaulicious. By the way, C.P. Cafe was also my favorite restaurant during the years I lived in Berkeley.

North Pond has a similar dedication to local ingredients, but the price of a meal there is about three times that of a meal at C.P. Cafe, so it's not going to fit what the OP is looking for.

I'd suggest trying Nightwood. Really good food, local ingredients, with a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

When's the last time you were there? I was there a few months ago and while it's certainly a lower price point than North Pond, it's not that much cheaper, maybe 30% less. Entrees were well into the $20's. Still a great spot, but not a bargain.

This might help people make suggestions...

http://www.chezpanisse.com/menus/cafe-menu/

Apps in the $9-15 range, entrees solidly in the $20s.

Appears that most of the recs so far are right on point.

Ok, folks. Let's keep it civil and refrain from making it personal.

Thanks,

=R=
for the moderators

Amata wrote:North Pond has a similar dedication to local ingredients, but the price of a meal there is about three times that of a meal at C.P. Cafe, so it's not going to fit what the OP is looking for.

I'd suggest trying Nightwood. Really good food, local ingredients, with a warm and relaxed atmosphere.

You should look at the prices at Chez Panisse Cafe, Nightwood, and North Pond. While there is a price difference between these two and CPC, it is nowhere near as large as you presumed. I think the food at the latter two fairly represent the style at Chez Panisse Cafe and Shincke can make his/her own determination about whether the prices are in line what his/her expectations.

North Pond seasonal tasting menu is currently $90. Chez Panisse Cafe's menu du jour: $30.

North Pond is quite comparable to the downstairs restaurant at Chez Panisse, where the fixed menu runs $85 on weeknights and $100 on weekends. North Pond and downstairs Chez Panisse are big deal restaurants; Chez Panisse cafe is an informal place where you can happily have just a pizza and a salad.

I wish North Pond would open up a less expensive cafe, like Chez Panisse Cafe!

Amata wrote:North Pond seasonal tasting menu is currently $90. Chez Panisse Cafe's menu du jour: $30.

North Pond is quite comparable to the downstairs restaurant at Chez Panisse, where the fixed menu runs $85 on weeknights and $100 on weekends. North Pond and downstairs Chez Panisse are big deal restaurants; Chez Panisse cafe is an informal place where you can happily have just a pizza and a salad.

I wish North Pond would open up a less expensive cafe, like Chez Panisse Cafe!

Two decidedly different things. And comparing restaurants by the cheapest option on one of their menus isn't really being fair. The "menu du jour" is a budget-conscious option but if it doesn't appeal to you then you'll be hard pressed to have three courses for under $50-60.

It's like telling someone that a meal at McDonald's will cost you $1 because they offer $1 menu items.

I would also add Uncommon Ground on Devon to the mix. (The Clark location may work as well, but I frequent the Devon location more regularly.) They have an organic roof-top garden that they use extensively in their menu. I've always enjoyed myself at both locations. The general board reaction is mixed, but that's the beauty of individual tastes.

First Taste of Uncommon Ground on Devon
Uncommon Ground...a fine place for a drink

1401 W Devon Ave
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 465-9801

3800 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60613
(773) 929-3680

Thanks, all, for the great recs . Nightwood has been on my list for some time, Pleasant House is one of my favorite spots in the city (especially when paired with a trip to the patio at Maria's Packaged Goods), and I now have a good excuse to revisit North Pond. Vera, Anteprima, and Uncommon Ground are all new to me, so thanks.

To be clear, the choice of CP Cafe vs. CP Restaurant is not a budget choice (at least not for me) -- if you tried to replicate the downstairs menu in the cafe (and you can get pretty close), the cost is the same. I'm pretty sure that the $30 menu upstairs is either lunch only or Monday only. The real question is whether you want a quieter meal and a fixed menu or a slightly warmer atmosphere and choice. It really depends on your mood and your company -- I found myself picking the Cafe almost every time.

@nsxtasy -- sorry you had a middling experience -- I hope you give it another try. The meal that I had there last week was near perfection.

Cheers,

Matt

Shincke wrote:Thanks, all, for the great recs . Nightwood has been on my list for some time, Pleasant House is one of my favorite spots in the city (especially when paired with a trip to the patio at Maria's Packaged Goods), and I now have a good excuse to revisit North Pond. Vera, Anteprima, and Uncommon Ground are all new to me, so thanks.

To be clear, the choice of CP Cafe vs. CP Restaurant is not a budget choice (at least not for me) -- if you tried to replicate the downstairs menu in the cafe (and you can get pretty close), the cost is the same. I'm pretty sure that the $30 menu upstairs is either lunch only or Monday only. The real question is whether you want a quieter meal and a fixed menu or a slightly warmer atmosphere and choice. It really depends on your mood and your company -- I found myself picking the Cafe almost every time.

@nsxtasy -- sorry you had a middling experience -- I hope you give it another try. The meal that I had there last week was near perfection.

Cheers,

Matt

My experiences there have always been very good. On my visit a few months ago one of the dishes was pasta with fresh peas and mint. It was a dish that could have easily gone South with a heavier hand on the primary seasonings (pepper and mint) but was perfectly balanced to let the delicate pea flavor pop. It was an example of how simple can be really special.