Bar Panisse

We were honored to work with the Chez Panisse team to fully transform their next door space into Bar Panisse. Warmth and conviviality have always defined the iconic Chez Panisse ethos and translate easily to this bustling, communal bar. Handcrafted, artisanal materials abound in this welcoming setting, including a French pewter bar top, custom lighting, vintage mirrors, ruffled steel table bases, and local artwork.

Handcrafted black walnut angled panels from Paco Prieto of @pacassagroup, cover the walls and angled ceiling, creating a modern cabin feel. Custom cast-glass pendants by Napa artist Erica Huether adorn the bar, while custom inset wall sconces lined with copper from @metrolightingca cast a warm glow throughout the space. Pewter bar tops, fabricated in France, pay homage to Alice Waters’ early French culinary inspiration. A marble backsplash and Venetian plaster walls by Berkeley’s @level_5_design, provide a timeless and tactile touchpoint. Custom font, signage and menu design are by Patricia Curtan.

A small but mighty kitchen creates the small plates for this neighborhood bar. Pacassa studios created a bespoke hanging island overshelf in black walnut. A curved marble-topped pass captures the end of the dining room. Linen-look acoustic ceiling panels dampen noise, while Berkeley’s Meyer Sound provided the audiophile-level sound system.