Dec 9th, 2009 by jenna

Morning!

I’m so glad y’all enjoyed my photos from last night! Truthfully, the meal was perfect. I was a little worried because I had been talking up Chez Panisse to myself for a looooooong time and usually when that happens the reality sort of lets you down. However, I can’t think of one thing that wasn’t perfect about my meal and that NEVER happens! I’m sort of a tough critic and was so blown away last night. And, I think the best thing was that I didn’t feel stuffed, heavy or weighed down after my meal. Everything was so light and fresh. It’s just a feel good place

Alice, unfortunately, wasn’t there but I think I’m going back next month (and sitting downstairs this time!) and hopefully she will be there then so I can get her to sign my Chez Panisse children’s cookbook.

This morning I ate some oatmeal while I read through the hundreds and hundreds of responses from yesterday! Whew!

I got this new almond butter from the health food store yesterday….it’s local, organic and…..delicious!

***
So now, the moment you have been waiting for….I used a random number integer to get the winner for the Amy’s soup gift pack.

Congrats #523 CRYSTAL!

Please shoot me your mailing address and we will get your soup right out to you.

***

I’ve got errands to run, words to write and exercise to do. Be back!

Posted in Breakfast

42 Responses to “No Complaints”

on 09 Dec 2009 at 8:28 am1Jen (Running With Cake)

I think that with your background as a chef and the line of work you’re in, you would naturally be a tough critic. There are obviously critics that are obnoxiously tough and take advantage of their role, but I see you being very fair and truthful. Glad your experience was everything you hoped for!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 8:29 am2Jessica @ How Sweet It Is

Your nut butter always looks so melty on top. Do you melt it first? I add mine when it is piping hot, but it never melts that way.
on 09 Dec 2009 at 8:32 am3lindsay

Are those Anthro latte bowls you always eat your oats out of? I have one of them but I want more, the colors are all so pretty Hopefully Alice will be there the next time you go to Chez Panisse!!!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 8:42 am4Pam

Congrats Crystal!

Enjoy!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 8:48 am5skinnyrunner

i think you should do a list of your top favorite almond butters. they can be pricey and i never know which ones to buy!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 8:56 am6Evan Thomas

local and organic almond butter sounds divine
on 09 Dec 2009 at 8:56 am7Megan (The Runner's Kitchen)

Your bowl of oats looks so voluminous! Do you use a special brand or cooking method?

If I could meet Alice Waters, I would be in heaven! I love, love, love her cookbook “Simple Food”.
on 09 Dec 2009 at 8:58 am8Diana @ frontyardfoodie

Man, I love your enthusiasm! It’s inspiring!

I never eat nut butter but I’m seriously going to start considering it because that looks delicious
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:02 am9Joelle (The Pancake Girl))

Cute mug!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:07 am10Estela @ Weekly Bite

Perfect way to start the day!

I love purchasing and supporting local products
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:09 am11Ameena

I want to come up north just so I can try this restaurant. The pictures are amazing!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:10 am12Christie @ Honoring Health

I’m so glad last night was lived up to your expectations. It looked divine!

And hoooray for local, organic almond butter!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:11 am13MMiller

So glad you enjoyed your night and meal! And can jump right back into your “normal?” life this morning! You have me so hooked on overnight oats with almond butter! I can’t wait to try to make my own almond butter!

And what did you wear last night?
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:15 am14Mastering Public Health

All this almond butter talk is surely going to inspire a Futter’s Nut Butter order on my part soon….
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:26 am15Carolyn

Happy to hear it lived up to your expectations!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:34 am16Deva (Voracious Vorilee)

I love your bowls – where did you get them, they’re so cute?

Almond butter has become my favorite oat topping – I love how melty and YUM it gets on top of my oatmeal, and how full it keeps me throughout my morning.
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:43 am17jenna

Deva,

Anthropologie!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:44 am18jenna

MMiller,

hahaha the grass is always greener on the other side!! My life is weird. Last night I wore a dress from Anthropologie with black tights, knee high boots and a black scarf.
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:44 am19Chelsea (Chelsea's Chew and Run Fun)

I must look into this “Alice Waters” character you speak so highly of, she sounds like a top of the tier chef/food writer!

Also, I have the same question as Jenny…do you melt your almond butter or does it just naturally occur when you add it to your hot oats? Mine always remains fairly thick and sticky.
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:48 am20Katie

Hope your training and eating is going well lady!

Love your blog!

I’d love for you to check out my blog – http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com/
on 09 Dec 2009 at 9:57 am21eatmovelove

Congratulations Amy!
Hah!! Wish I felt ‘light’ after a meal Jenna
Love “the words to write” sentence.
I just wrote a post on being thankful for what we have in life and not comparing. I think it’s important for all of us at this time of year. Check it out if you wish
on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:19 am22Amanda@thegrainsofparadise

Beautiful pictures Jenna! I’m so happy you got to go!
Hope you’re not freezing to death out there! My mom lives in Danville ( East Bay ) and they had real snow!!! First time since ‘76! Crazy!
Aloha:-) A
on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:21 am23Devan G

i love that bowl!!

congrats to the winna!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:26 am24Maria

Jenna, what dress did you get from Anthropologie? I live for it, and write a blog all about Anthro stuff… kind of obsessed (infinitewhimsy.blogspot.com) Also, can you maybe give us a good recipe (non-book of course!) for Kabocha Squash? It looks so good but I don’t know where to begin!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:30 am25Shannon (The Daily Balance)

at least now you have an excuse to go back!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 11:00 am26Cait (Cait's Plate)

Oh that looks like the perfect morning! So cozy
on 09 Dec 2009 at 11:02 am27Erin

You’re so lucky to go back. Eating at Chez Panisse is definitely on my bucket list!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 11:38 am28Kristen

I missed pictures from last night! I’ll have to go back and reread!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 12:00 pm29Heather

LOVED the pictures! the food looked amazing! I’m just sitting here dreaming of how it tasted. May be making a trip to visit Chez Panisse next time I’m in the Bay Area!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 12:11 pm30Sarah (Finding My Balance)

Chez Panisse is probably one of the best places I have ever eaten, so I am glad it wasn’t a letdown for you!
Have a great rest of your day, Jenna!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 12:15 pm31Sarah (Oc2Seattle)

Your Chez Panisse photos are amazing – so nice to have a “perfect meal.” Hope you get your cookbook signed next time!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 12:45 pm32Christa

Jenna! We have the same Anthropologie mugs! And yay for your dining adventure yesterday. I am going with a group of friends to the French Laundry in two weekends from now, so I know the feeling about anticipation for a meal!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 1:03 pm33Karla

So glad you enjoyed Chez Panisse! Downstairs is fancy! That’s super exciting!! Your goal should be to get a picture with Alice
on 09 Dec 2009 at 1:48 pm34lz

Jenna, wow, you sound like you had the most extraordinary meal last night indeed! Isn’t it the best when you eat a fantastic meal and still feel great afterward?
on 09 Dec 2009 at 2:17 pm35Liz

Your dinner last night looked awesome! Next stop on your list (give the rate you’re going) should be the French Laundry. If you ever need a hot date I’d be happy to fly down from freezing Canada to join you!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 2:18 pm36Liz

Your dinner last night looked awesome! Next stop on your list (give the rate you’re going) should be the French Laundry. If you ever need a hot date I’d be happy to fly down from freezing Canada to join you!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 2:53 pm37rebecca lustig

No complaints are the best
on 09 Dec 2009 at 3:28 pm38Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca)

I can’t imagine all of the foods you have tried – you should become a food critic professionally!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 4:33 pm39Jenna

oats look gloriuous as always!
jenna
on 09 Dec 2009 at 5:12 pm40Sarah

You are NOT a tough critic! I think every week I see you say “this was the BEST (insert food/restaurant) EVER!!!” Haha, I love you Jenna! You are so enthusiastic about everything!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 10:32 pm41allie

i’ve been dying to hit the downstairs of chez panisse with alice in the resto since migrating from nc to san francisco nearly two years ago! please do it,so i can live vicariously through you (as i’ve been doing of late with your wine country life – which i passed up doing similarly a year ago)!
on 09 Dec 2009 at 11:05 pm42Katy @ These Beautiful Feet

I’m so glad Chez Panisse lived up to your expectations!