Eating Asian Food in a New York Loft in Paris

It seems people always want what they don't have. Instead of "the grass is always greener", in this case we might say "the cuisine is always greener" in a different country. My first dinner in Paris last week was in a fairly new and popular restaurant called Ze Kitchen Galerie.

Designed to look like a New York loft with high ceilings, exposed pipes, and modern art, Ze Kitchen is not your typical French dining experience. Chef William Ledeuil is in love with Southeast Asia, so you can expect a lot of seafood, a lot of ginger, and seasonings and condiments like Thai curry juice and miso.

Typical entrees include grilled squid and octopus with green apple and curcuma, grilled cod with Thai herbs and miso(several of my group had this), and loin of lamb with tuna stuffing. Beetroot and ginger gazpacho or chestnut and sweetbread soups, along with duck minestrone, are offered along with other Asian-fusion dishes on the starter list. Expect techniques like foam (Marcel of Top Chef would love this place!) and purees, along with a contemporary presentation. www.zekitchengalerie.fr