Here we have Kate, a celebrated New York chef. She's resolutely single, hostile to criticism and absolute monarch of her kitchen at 22 Bleecker.

Oh, and she's hopelessly clunky as guardian of her pre-teen niece, Zoe, whom she inherited after the girl's mother was killed in a wreck.

And here we have Nick, the sous-chef whom 22 Bleecker's owner hired without Kate's knowledge or consent. He's equally talented in the culinary arts, as easy-going as Kate is repressed, and immediately popular with the kitchen staff.

An expert in French cuisine, Kate disdains Nick's Tuscan specialties and his fondness for cooking to the accompaniment of romantic arias from Italian opera. Worse, she suspects him of plotting to steal "her" kitchen. They immediately butt toques. (Actually, they don't, because no one in the movie wears a puffy hat. They butt heads.)

But Nick isn't the dullest blade in the cutlery drawer. He sees that there is more to Kate than exotic entrees (and killer looks). And he wisely perceives that the way to this woman's heart is through her niece. He easily captures Zoe with a bowl of spaghetti -- and "No Reservations" proceeds to its requisite happy ending with barely a lump in the gravy ... sorry, the saffron sauce.

The thing is, "No Reservations" works nicely despite its predictability. Catherine Zeta-Jones plays well as Kate, relieving the chef's brittleness with just enough vulnerability to make the character real and sympathetic. And Aaron Eckhart, as Nick, shows that behind the kitchen cut-up with the goofy grin is a sensitive and loving man who just happens to wear an apron. Perhaps surprisingly, Eckhart's slightly rough-edged persona works well against Zeta-Jones' cool elegance.

Young Abigail Breslin, who put the sunshine in "Little Miss Sunshine," is equally endearing as Zoe. Veteran character actor Bob Balaban plays Kate's perceptive therapist, who gets to feast on her food while listening to her troubles, and Patricia Clarkson is effective but more or less wasted as Paula, the owner of 22 Bleecker.

"No Reservations," a remake of a European film called "Mostly Martha," is replete with cliches of Hollywood-style romantic comedy such as the blissful conclusion and will-they-won't-they "suspense" (of course they will). But because of its expert execution, it is nonetheless a pleasing summer diversion that's perfect for couples.