Kei

When I briefly lived in France, I would live the life of a frugal college student during the week, eating 1,20€ cheese and butter sandwiches from the school cafeteria or making a really basic version of “cacio e pepe”. I ate this for almost all meals. It’s amazing what we will do at that age just to save a little money, although, the barely-functional hot plates of my dormitory floor kitchen - that would warm just enough to trick you into trying to cook on it, only to find yourself 2 ½ hr later still trying find a burner that would heat sufficiently to boil water - made the decision to make quick-assembly pastas that much easier. The justification for living this way, I told myself, was that I’d live cheaply during the week, but on the weekends, when I would travel, I could eat whatever I wanted - within reason, of course.

At the end of my stay, my mom came to visit. And as most college students are wont to do, I relished this opportunity for my diet to become a little bit less pathetic. In Paris, this even went so far as to include a few Michelin-starred meals, one of which was at Kei, a one-star restaurant at the time. For both of us, it was one of our first Michelin experiences, and we loved it. They have since gained another star, and so on my most recent trip to town, I decided to make a return visit.

Balsamic, Umeshu, Shiso Sorbet

Radish and Cucumber amuses for my dairy-free friend

Tart of Beetroot and Yogurt

Cockles, Bouillabaisse Jelly, Cucumber

Ravioli of Chard and Ricotta

Shrimp Tartare, Gazpacho, Caviar, [?]

Salmon, Lemon Foam, Twenty Vegetables, Black Olive Crumble

Beignet of Goblin Bay Shrimp, Curry Salt

Sea Bass, Roasted Edible Scales, Marinated and Confit Tomato, Olive Tapenade, Boulou (?) Vinegar, Bouillabaisse Sauce

Shrimp in Bloody Mary Sauce, Butter Crisp, Caviar

Palate Cleanser: Min and Lemon Ice

John Dory with Miso Glaze, French Beans, Lemon Sauce

Goat Cheese Ice Cream, Cherry and Balsamic Jam, Sicilian Olive Oil

My Friend’s Dairy-Free Dessert: Shiso Sorbet

Peach and Basil Soup (?), Peaches, Raspberries, Basil Ice Cream

Tiramisu: Coffee and Amaretto Sauce, Coffee Jelly (?), Mascarpone Ice Cream, Mascarpone Foam, Chocolate and Coffee Caramel

My Friend’s Dairy-Free Dessert: ???

Hibiscus, Raspberry, Lychee Marshmallow. Chocolate and Caramel Tart. Honeycomb.

Date: September 2018

Good lord. THANK GOD my photography has made improvements.

Lime Ice? And ???

???

Fried Shrimp, Fried Shrimp Head, Trio of Different Salts

The salmon dish shown above in the 2018 menu, this is an earlier version of it. I think there was a surprise element? The dish was covered in foam? The sauce was poured on tableside, and this action revealed the dish.

My mom’s foie gras

Crab dish inspired by Japanese clay pot cooking.

??

Some fruit? Foam. Crispy Meringue. Very helpful description. But for the life of me, I cannot remember what this was! However, I do distinctly remember that it was crazy good.

Almond (?) Tuile. On the right is a thin, spherical membrane, which once placed in your mouth, would burst and give you a small sip of tea to end the meal.

Date: November 2012
Camera: Nikon D40