best of berkeley?
sharp eyes have probably spotted that the chronicle weighed in today on berkeley's best restaurants, and as always there are some surprises, some serious omissions (?!) and some...head-scratchers? as well as some old-timers that may or may not deserve to ride the tops list for another year...always a fun/frustrating point of debate.
in the "nice surprise" category, among the worthier mentions we're happy for newcomer el mono, the family-owned peruvian restaurant based in el cerrito that just opened on gilman in may.
we'll stay silent (for now) on the omissions and question marks and let you draw your own conclusions.
here's the chron's full best of berkeley list, posted today:
chez panisse (we think they mean the chez panisse cafe)
june 24, 2025