Restaurant Passerini — Restaurant in Paris

I have been to this restaurant twice, and both times had a wonderful experience. The TLDR is that it's probably one of my favorite places in Paris to eat great fresh pasta while drinking natural / skin contact wines.

The approach : Feels accessible and homey like a neighborhood restaurant, yet is a world reknown restaurant. The place is packed, booking in advance is highly recommended, and the quality of the menu/drink selection make it very sought after. It's at an angle of a roundabout in hip area in front of a great wine bar.

The Design: Quite contemporary with a minimalist sobriety & industrial feel. It's very open, with big windows. Mix of wood & metal, some retro-hints in the beautiful copper lamps in the semi-open kitchen. It's not over-the-top nor intimidating, as the effort is more in the detail / the tableware / the cutlery while the interior design is very accessible.

The Service: Something that stuck with me from both of my visits at Passerini was the genuine kindness and authentic passion of the staff there. They went out of their way to get us a table in spite of me not having a reservation, both times, and were extremely patient, insightful, and interesting in presenting their products, cuisine, and wine list. The wine selection is both unusually wide-ranging and deep, but every option isn't there at random. Listening to them present their wines is an experience of itself.

The Food: One can seek different things in a restaurant, but what makes Passerini quite exceptional is the memories it creates. I think I will now and forever associate pasta al ragù to Passerini. Regardless of everything else that can be said about the restaurant, they've successfully carved a culinary "madeleine de proust" in me, and that is saying a lot. That aside, the menu is ever-changing, which speaks volume to both the audacity, skill, and imagination of the entire kitchen staff.

The wine: I love natural wines, and more specifically skin-contact wines, and go to Passerini not to chose but rather to discover and be surprised. They never...

An Unexpected Culinary Gem in Paris

During our first visit to Paris, my friend and I had the pleasure of dining at Passerini, and what a delightful surprise it was! Recommended by my boss, a native of Rome, we walked in just before the end of lunch service, unsure of what to expect.

Despite the late hour, the warmth and hospitality of the staff immediately put us at ease. The lady at the front welcomed us with a genuine smile and ensured we felt right at home.

Now, let's talk about the food – it was simply divine. We started with the Roman tripe, a dish that transported us to the heart of Italy with its rich flavors and comforting aroma. The carpaccio of oranges was a revelation – who knew oranges could be so savory and delicious? It was a refreshing and unique dish that left us craving for more.

For our mains, we indulged in the Ravioli and Bigoli, both expertly prepared and bursting with flavor. Each bite was a symphony of tastes and textures, a testament to the culinary mastery of the chef. Despite them closing at 2:30 p.m. for lunch service, we were still offered to order dessert and coffee, a gesture that truly exemplified the restaurant's commitment to exceptional service.

Overall, our experience at Passerini was nothing short of exceptional. From the warm welcome to the exquisite food, every aspect exceeded our expectations. It's safe to say that this was one of the best meals we've had in Paris, and we can't wait to return for another unforgettable dining experience.

If you find yourself in Paris, do yourself a favor and pay a visit to Passerini. You won't be...

Bad experience. Good enough food but awful service. Our waitress spent the whole service putting pressure on us to order and constantly circled our table while we ate, jumping on us as soon as we put a fork down. She didn’t even serve our wine. Honestly our expectations aren’t exactly huge, but for €70 per person, come on! Her issue was that two of our group arrived late and there was a 2nd service. But at no point did she simply speak to us to give us a polite heads up that our table was reserved, and could we kindly be aware that we need to wrap up by 21:30. Nope, she instead chose to send us evil stares and bad vibes, talking in whispers to the other waiters while looking our way, making the whole experience feel awkward and more like being in a school playground than in a restaurant. We asked her to back off a bit, at which point she shouted at two of us for being late (by 20 minutes, during which time we had an aperitif before ordering which is pretty standard restaurant behaviour!). By the time we left, at 21:30, no one was waiting for our table, and the restaurant was by no means full. We chose not to have dessert. The food was good but unfortunately the service left us with...