No Reservations is a sad and sweet story about losing what you knew you had and finding what you didn't know was lost. No Reservations isn't an emotionally challenging or taxing movie, but it doesn't lack resonance either. It is delightfully charming.

Kate Armstrong's (Catherine Zeta-Jones) sister is killed in a car accident on the way to visit. Also in the car is her daughter, Zoe (Abigail Breslin). Zoe survives the accident, but is left without parents. Kate hesitantly assumes responsibility for Zoe. While Kate is out on bereavement leave from her job as executive chef, her boss fills the temporary sous chef position with opposite side of the coin Nick. Nick (Aaron Eckhart) is the target for all of Kate's angst at first. Slowly, though, their relationship becomes more complex. He even gets Zoe to eat, a feat Kate couldn't seem to accomplish. Nick finds small, thoughtful ways to help both Kate and Zoe out of their grief. The story all takes place around piles of delicious looking food!

The plot is less a linear day-to-day account, but rather feels more like the audience is checking in from time to time on the family. Most of the time the time elapse isn't an issue but occasionally it feels herky-jerky and incomplete. The writing is the weakest part of the movie, which is a shame considering the quality of acting in No Reservations.

Kate is a relentless control freak who loves her job as a chef. That is, until Zoe comes to live with her. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays a lovely anal-retentive stuffy-person. She is even better when she lusts over someone she loathes and is turned upside down by Zoe. I could best describe her as a controlled crazy person.