It's back! Inside the newly re-opened Chez Panisse

AM_ChezP-494 — Chefs at work in the Chez Panisse kitchen. Photo: Amanda Marsalis

On Monday this week, Chez Panisse re-opened to the public after an early-morning fire in March shut the landmark restaurant down for nearly four months. On that day, we published an interview with owner Alice Waters who spoke about the process of rebuilding, and how her team turned a crisis into an opportunity to do a little re-inventing. Waters also said she had thought of moving the restaurant to a totally different location on more than one occasion.

Much to the relief of many Berkeleyans, Chez Panisse has stayed put. Today we bring you photographs of the results of all the careful restoration and rebuilding work that has gone into bringing the restaurant back to life.

AM_ChezP-228 — Chez Panisse owner Alice Waters in the dining room on the eve of the reopening on Monday. Photo: Amanda Marsalis

AM_ChezP-462 — The new dining alcove on the front of Chez Panisse which had to be completely rebuilt after the March 8 fire. Photo: Amanda Marsalis

AM_ChezP-154 — The Chez Panisse team meet before two fundraising dinners held at the restaurant on Friday June 21. Photo: Amanda Marsalis

AM_ChezP-252 — Displays of fresh fruit and flowers are always a constant at Chez Panisse. Photo: Amanda Marsalis

AM_ChezP-1056 — Chez Panisse co-chef Cal Peternell with cranberry beans. Photo: Amanda Marsalis

AM_ChezP-290 — Table setting for a fundraising dinner for the Edible Schoolyard Project. Photo: Amanda Marsalis

AM_ChezP-1775 — Chez Panisse Café co-chefs Beth Wells and Nathan Alderson. Photo: Amanda Marsalis

AM_ChezP-942 — Chez Panisse and its famous araucaria tree: back in business. Photo: Amanda Marsalis

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Tracey Taylor is co-founder and editorial director at Berkeleyside. Email: tracey@berkeleyside.com.