KEI, Paris

I can't say that I was surprised by my lunch experience at KEI, I have done my research and knew to expect something special.  What I did not anticipate was the remarkably high level of the overall experience, the fine tuned service, the presentation and taste of the food, and the interesting combinations of flavors.  Simply put, the lunch was perfection. 

KEI, is a wonderful restaurant serving beautifully crafted French cuisine with a touch of Japan, the birthplace of the chef, Kei Kobayashi.

The decor is sophisticated but understated, with shades of white, gray and beige.

  

 How stunning are these utensils?

 Speaking of utensils and other nice things at KEI, I loved their pepper mill so much; I got a set for my husband.  The waiter was kind enough to share the name of the manufacturer.



Now, when it comes to the menu, there isn't one.  One gets to choose a five or eight course meal.
The descriptions of what we ate are the way I remember since nothing was written down.

We began our lunch with a lovely and refreshing flavored watermelon cube served on a chilled spoon.

Next, we enjoyed these beautiful and savory cheese pastry pieces.  They were served, sitting on a bed of dried pea pods, just gorgeous. 

This tasted like goat cheese with a bit of sardine, don't remember the exact description.

 The salted butter, bread and top notch olive oil were delicious.  The problem I have is that I love French bread so much; it takes a lot of will power to stop after just one slice. 

 Our first course was stunning and tasty, it consisted of crab meat, eel, caviar and nettle, the taste was smooth and sublime.

 Now, this salad was heavenly.  It came to the table just like this, and after I got my photo the waiter sprinkled almond and olive bits on top. 
 

 We were told to mix and incorporate all the flavors.  This was so exquisite, I have no words.  A little thing like this, some greens, radish, dill, a perfectly cooked salmon along with the lemon foam and sprinkled ingredients created one of the most spectacular culinary experiences I have had.  I know it's silly, it's just a little salad, but it was perfection.  I could keep coming back just for a large bowl of this with some bread and butter.  There is absolutely no way that I can recreate this at home. 

 After the salad bowl was pried from my hands, I was given this lovely risotto with veal juice, and cream of white wine (didn't know such a thing even existed).

 Our final dish was the baccala fish with caviar on top, endive and dandelion salad, and the dots were a vinegar reduction.

An adorable cucumber flower added a nice pop of yellow to the plate.

 After such a spectacular meal we keenly awaited the dessert. 

 
I was delighted to see this strawberry and rhubarb meringue and marshmallow sphere.  The marshmallow top half was soft and the bottom meringue half was sturdy and held fruit with white miso cream. 

 The final part of the meal was this beautiful plate of lemon and passion fruit marshmallows and little tarts filled to the brim with decadent salted caramel.

While still savoring our last bites we started to make plans to return to this culinary gem.  This lunch was a terrific experience,  one that I will try to repeat with each visit to Paris.

KEI
5 rue du Coq-Heron


Joanna