On Thu, 22 Jan 2004 11:06:35 -0500, pltrgyst
wrote:

Firstly, the upstairs cafe does not take reservations -- you can just
walk in. A much simpler menu, but the same quality.

Apparently, this has changed. From their web site:

On June 1, 2000, the Café (upstairs) began taking lunch and dinner
reservations up to one month to the date in advance. To reserve a
table, call (510) 548-5049 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:30
p.m. Monday through Saturday. This policy also to applies to special
events at Chez Panisse (New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day, and Bastille
Day, for example). The wait for a table in the Café can be very long
at dinnertime, especially on Friday and Saturday nights. The host can
estimate, but of course cannot guarantee, when there will be tables
available for parties without a reservation. Therefore we strongly
encourage calling in advance to make a reservation.

Secondly, assuming you have flexibility as to time: I generally call
after I arrive in SF, no more than three or four days in advance, and
I've *never* been unable to get a downstairs table any night from
Monday through Thursday. CP has been there for so long that it's not
so trendy-high-demand as the French Laundry, for example.

Unfortunately, we need this to be on a Saturday! ;-)

Maybe we'll do the Cafe or do CP another time.

The French Laundry, in my opinion, is grossly overrated. It's not
awful, mind you, I'd probably give it 3 stars, but there are several
restaurants in Palo Alto that are far superior.

The main restaurant at the new Ritz Carlton, Half Moon Bay, is a
fabulous experience. Their prix fixe menu is much better than TFL.

Thanks for the help.

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