Dining at Reed

After getting settled in the apartment, buying supplies from the local grocery store, and resting, we were ready for our night out on the town.  Our reservation at Reed was a good idea.  It was an easy walk, just a block away.

With an open kitchen and just 20 seats,  it was an inviting space.  Catherine Reed's Laconche stove with its copper pots of simmering sauces made us feel like we had been invited into her personal kitchen.

Because of a staffing issue, this particular Saturday night, found Catherine the only person available to greet guests, serve and cook.  She jokingly said that it would be a "slow" food night; not necessarily in the timing, but in the dishes that were on the menu.  They were slow comfort foods that were simmering away on their own.  The smells of heady wine braised meats and poultry greeted us at the door.

The menu was short, offering a first course, entree and dessert.  The strawberry compote and carrot cake were displayed under glass on the buffet table near our table.

We started our meal with a Sicillian tomato tart with a crust that was thin and crisp.  The tomatoes were dressed with olive oil and shavings of Parmesan.

Choosing an entree was a difficult decision.  I had the Osso Buco which was tender veal shanks with a tomato sauce and a gremolata of orange, garlic and parsley.  It was served with tender egg noodles.

David had the Cornish game hen with spring vegetables and gratineed potatoes.

Catherine Reed was gracious and her restaurant is a special oasis of calm in this vibrant city.  I look forward to my cooking class with her on Tuesday.

We ended our first evening in Paris with a walk to the Eiffel Tower.  We have left all of the chaos of our initial journey behind us.