Chez Panisse Cancels Reservations, Delays Reopening

Chez Panisse is canceling existing reservations and delaying reopening of the iconic Berkeley restaurant at 1517 Shattuck Ave. because damage from a March 8 fire is more extensive than originally thought, co-owner Alice Waters posted on the restaurant's Facebook page Tuesday afternoon.

Waters said that the top and bottom porches on the front of the building must be removed and additional structural repairs made on both floors. Kip Mesirow, the original buider, is leading the design and reconstruction efforts, she said in her post.

Meanwhile, restaurant staff are cleaning up and repainting throughout the building, she said.

Waters said no opening date has been determined for either the cafe or the restaurant. 

The March 8 fire apparently started at or near exterior electrical equipment under an overhang that houses an 8x12-foot alcove off the main dining room, Acting Deputy Chief Avery Webb of the Berkeley Fire Department said shortly after the fire.

He said Fire Marshal John Fitch's originally "guesstimated" damage to the structure at between $150,000 and $200,000.