A tiny gem in Paris’ Saint-Martin Canal district.

On a windswept Sunday we walked the intriguing Saint-Martin Canal riverways to Ake in the 10th Arrondissement.

Ake is owned by a dynamic husband and wife team.

Linda Granebring’s cooking is easy to embrace.

Julien Jack Alda runs the front of the house with a warm, welcoming manner along with adeptly handling the sommelier duties.

The wine list is organic and French-focused. Prices are very reasonable.

In the Swedish born chef’s rustic bistro there’s none of the pretension and excessive reverence for highly technical cooking that fine dining  has come to define in many of Paris’ most lauded restaurants.

Granebring is producing admirable dishes while pregnant with their first child due in 3 months…they have a lot on their plate.

There is not much attention paid to interior design, but  Ake possesses natural charm.

A mere year ago, the team was all about pop ups and the present neighborhood was previously rundown and drug infested.

Much has changed.

Both the interior and the menu are pint size.

The outstanding grilled red kuri squash with garlic and rosemary sits atop a bed of lentils, raisins and tahini and comes served on artisanal ceramic dishware.

The Poached Cod Fillet with potatoes in an absolutely  delectable Beurre Blanc sauce and parsnip cream screams fabulosity (18 euro).

The signature Gnocchi with porcini and wild mushroom cream, caramelized shallot and parsley is a reason to frequent Ake (17 euro).

Ake is big on simplicity, serving a harmony of ingredients and flavors, accompanied by tantalizing natural wines.

For dessert the beyond delicious Pavlova is comprised of meringue paired with cream, caramel, and candied ginger (7 euro).

Ake is very reasonably priced and you may feel compelled to order the entire menu. We omitted the meat and poultry dishes.

Ake with its delicious food, affordable prices and genuine hospitality would be my go to place if I lived in Paris.

Ake Restaurant  8 Rue Marie et Louise, 75010 Paris. Open Tuesday-Saturday 6pm-12:00am.