denisea

You don't need to dress up for Reed. Jeans and a sweater would be fine, I am sure.

I hope you enjoy it. Catherine is such a lovely person and I can't forget her risotto!

wjdjad

This restaurant is by far the best in Paris, it was so good we returned for dinner a second time on our 10 day trip. We ate at only highly rated Trip Advisor restaurants, and had mostly very good meals (except one), but none compared to Reed. On our first visit my wife had the tomato tartin, and I had foie gras -- both were very good but the tomato tartin was just incredible. It consists of small tomatoes in a light tomato sauce surrounded by the lightest most amazing pastry dough, shaped like pretzels, with shavings of parmesan or peccorino cheese. It almost sounds like pizza but it is so much better -- like a creation of Michaelangelo. And when you bit into one of the small tomatoes it was like an explosion of flavor (I can only guess they were marinated in something to create that concentrated flavor). On our second visit we both had the tomato tartins. I had duck confit both visits and it was the best duck I ever ate. It is an ancient recipe for duck cooked for hours in its own fat and stored in the fat, which is then used to fry potatoes (Pomme de Terre Sarladaise) when the duck is served. For anyone who likes duck it is amazingly tender and flavorful -- the best I ever had. My wife had a pet duck as a child, so she would not try it and she ate risotto with mushrooms both visits, which she liked very much. For dessert we had another revelation -- a tart tatin that was better here than anywhere else. It is apples cooked in brown sugar and other spices, but with, again, the most amazing perfect crust like nothing I ever had before -- light and crunchy and flavorful. I normally do not like apple pie or tart but I loved this.The hostess is a one woman show, she does everything herself, takes orders, serves the food and cooks it all by herself. She teaches cooking classes and is very friendly and absolutely amazing. The meals both nights with 2 glasses of wine, 2 bottles of water, 2 cappuccinos and some extra desserts my wife tried, came to 120 euros including tip -- a great bargain. She takes reservations and it was not crowded when we were there. Anyone who misses this restaurant will miss the best food in Paris

Cathinjoetown

I had a very nice dinner at Reed but it did not knock my socks off. I agree it is good value for money.

StuDudley

Best food/best restaurant in Paris????? The Michelin people don't think so. There are 101 restaurants that they give star ratings to - Reed does not have a star.

I have no doubt that it is the best restaurant you dined at that has food that accommodates your taste preferences.

We've spent around 22 nights in an apt just around the corner from Reed (since Reed opened). We are internet friends of Joan Grace (big fan/promoter of Reed), and we've dined with her several times while in Paris. We've checked out the menu at Reed many times, and both my wife & I decided to try elsewhere because we could not find anything on the menu that was unique/complex & original. They had no fish either - which is what my wife normally has for dinner. You had foie gras and confit du Canard. IMO, those are the most common entrees that the thousands & thousands & thousands of restaurants in France have on their menus. There are two retail shops withing 2 blocks of Reed that sell both Confit & mi-cuit foie gras - so we often purchase them to have for dinner at the apt. Of the dozens & dozens of Confits I've had - the "best" hasn't tasted much better than the 5th "worst". Not quite the same for foie gras, however. I've had some pretty poor renditions of it - and I've probably tried it a hundred or so times (it is illegal where I live in Calif). But there isn't much difference in the top 20%, IMO. Risotto is a pretty common dish too. So is Tart Tatin - almost "comfort food" in France - although I order it often.

Reed may have A+ Foie Gras, Confit, Tart Tatin, and risotto - but alone that does not make it the best restaurant in Paris. Many people (like me), look for something "original or complex" that they don't find at most other restaurants. We dine out at restaurants in France about 30-40 times each year.

Just my opinion (and my wife's too).

Stu Dudley

Judy

StuDudley, try Verjus.

gracejoan

Hi Stu..

Just saw your above post and really did not read all the earlier.

Catherine has a simple, nice restaurant...not a lot of menu options. She tries to do it all alone...not really possible!!

We have become nice friends and I do always drop by..even my short, short 1 week 1st of Dec, I will be there.

Comparing with Michelin is really not someething that she is probably interested in..along with so many others...and all those who told Michelin to take back their one star..they prefer to do their own thing!!

I find the fun in 'discovering' (new or new to me) places. Bisrot Belhara is one..where old Leo the Lion was. I have dined there..a cute little spot. Good friends (Laidbacks) have just been and I have asked Florent to make reservations for us for ealy Dec when I will have a few nights in Paris along with London for this short trip.

When are you two back in Paris?

a bientot...

Joan

StuDudley

>>When are you two back in Paris?<<

We were there for a half day in July at the end of our 5 1/2 week trip, and we'll be there for a half-day next Sept. Then 2+ weeks in Sept/Oct 2015 in Champagne (if I can get a reservation).

Reed "fits the bill" for a lot of folks. But I would not say it is the best restaurant in Paris.

If I were 25 years old and took my "sweetie" to Paris for the first time with the intent of a marriage proposal at the "best restaurant in Paris" - I would be disappointed if I walked into Reed.

Stu Dudley

gracejoan

I think at 25 and a marriage proposal they would be looking for something pretty sparkling to the best they could afford!!

Make the Champagne reservation early, early and you should not have a problem. Was there last Feb and Mar in the Champagne..it is not my top favorite, but a popular apartment with many....there are sooo many!

a bientot...

Joan

denisea

Here's what I would say about Reed....she does a few things and does them very well in a comfortable, inviting setting. Catherine is so welcoming and I really enjoyed the night and our meal there. I doubt she is striving for a Michelin star and the current trends are far less concerned with attaining the Michelin stars.

I think the right guy could pull off a lovely marriage proposal in Reed...not a lot of fanfare but intimate. It's about the two people involved more than the restaurant.

Everyone's definition of "best" is certainly different, as is their opinion.

StuDudley

But the best restaurant in Paris?????????????

They aren't even mentioned in the Michelin guide - much less a star.

My wife found nothing at all interesting on the menu. For our 43rd anniversary next year, she would wonder why I chose Reed, if I reserved there. Violon d' Ingres is just around the corner, and a much better restaurant, IMO.

A good/friendly neighborhood restaurant - but that's all.

Stu Dudley

gracejoan

Stu, I don't think they really meant the best restaurant in Paris. It was the best for them when they were there, might be more like it.

Reed is not a Violon d'Ingres! I know both very well. Reed is a local, small, quiet restaurant with a limited menu of quality items! Catherine is a delight to join for an evening.

You are right, I do not recall ever seeing a sea food on the menu.

I enjoy Catherine and dining at Reed...always make a stop there.

I also dine regularly at all Constant restaurants, as you know.

Just depends what you are looking for on a particular day. I might go to Davoli and pick something up, or drop nto Les Deux Abeilles...another spot I can enjoy...and many, many, many others here and there. I may like them for different reasons and what I feel like for the day.

Reed is a good restaurant....

a bientot...

Joan

Huggy

Hr

crosscheck

Our group loved Reed as an alternative to the bustling bistros of Paris. Good food in lovely, quiet surroundings with the bonus of Catherine's presence...she serves, she cooks, she socializes. We have since sent several colleague, and everyone was pleased because it's an intimate experience, like having dinner at the home of a friend who's a talented cook.

Reed is fun for a small group and would be okay for a couple, but is not super romantic, and would not be my pick for the young.

kmowatt

I will chime in here and say that Reed and Catherine are a delight...food is simple and enjoyable for a very fair price and Catherine is a gracious host...I also count her as a friend after dining there a few nights and taking her class one day...I will be back in Paris on the 30th and 31st of December and unfortunately those dates don't work for Reed otherwise I would be back there in a shot! And as Denisea says, it really is about the people as to wether this would work for an engagement or anniversary dinner...I personally have become fonder of these small intimate restaurants than the flash of some more expensive places...each to his own, but please don't assume that Michelin is the only indicator of good food and a most welcoming atmosphere...simply my 2 cents...

yestravel

A Reed supporter here -- good food in a lovely, small place. Catherine is a delight. Never dined at Violin, but have had friends who dined there and they didn't think it was so great esp for the price -- to each is own.