friday five - july 24

five area stories of note.

chez panisse, and bar panisse in particular, got some well-deserved love this week from the nytimes. (nytimes gift article).

appreciated sfist's follow-up and local perspective. (sfist)

the east bay express shared the story of greenling fish market, operating tuesdays in south berkeley. (east bay express/greenling fish market)

always a treat to see smokehouse get the spotlight – as long as we can still get a table. (sfgate)

agree: the chronicle likes warm, glazed colonial donuts. (the chronicle)

bonus: after a long, gentle transformation, classic berkeley bottle shop ledger's liquor has fully transitioned into modern, upscale SIPS the bottle emporium, with no evidence left of the former old-school shop. cheers to 90 years and four generations of ledger family owners, and welcome to berkeley, SIPS. 🍾

july 24, 2026 (it's been a beautiful week. about berkeley eats, tips welcome.)

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