Commis by Syhabout Now Open for Business

The big super foodie news of the day is that James' Syhabout's new restaurant, Commis opened last night, not "next month" as today's Chronicle Inside Scoop had it.

Commis has been one of the most anticipated restaurants of 2009, as executive chef Syhabout had been named one of the Chronicle's Rising Chefs in 2007, was Chef de Cuisine at the Michelin two-starred Manresa Restaurant, and earned an astounding three and one-half stars from the Chron's Michael Bauer for his executive chef stint at Plumpjack Cafe.

The East Bay seems to be exploding with new places, but many of them are just the most recent incarnation of the Chez Panisse ethos (for instance, Camino). Commis, however, has the potential to bring some real creativity and some of that despised "cooking" close to the borders of the People's Republic of Berkeley. I'm cheering for success here, and will be visiting very soon to see what is on the menu ($49 three-course prix fixe, plus $29 for paired wines!!).

The photo of Chef Syhabout in the kitchen last night at Commis is by the lovely and talented Pim, from Chez Pim.

Commis
3859 Piedmont Ave
Oakland, CA 94611
510.653.3902