Dandino: our test of this fine Italian restaurant in Saint-Germain-des-Prés

A fresh breeze is blowing through Paris's legendary Saint-Germain-des-Prés district... Dandino, a new address for Italian cuisine at 8 rue de Buci, is ready to capture the hearts of Parisians with a string of delights straight from the boot! Led by Arnaud Ancora, the restaurant promises a culinary voyage right into the heart of Paris.

Arnaud Ancora is no newcomer to the Parisian culinary scene. After winning over gourmets with Bianco, Paris II, Café Montorgueil, Paris II, and Capri Saint-Honoré Paris I, he launches Dandino with the same passion and determination, perpetuating his tradition of Italian elegance.

To enter Dandino is to plunge into a world of Italian elegance. Architect Bureau Lacroix has created an upscale decor featuring noble woods, veined marble and carmine hues. The hushed ambience, light-flooded rooms and terrace that immerse you in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district ensure a unique experience.

The open kitchen, decorated with mosaics, and the pizza oven lure you in with bewitching aromas. The menu, prepared with products and chefs straight from Italy, offers a varied range of starters, main courses and desserts. The wine list is also carefully selected to accompany each dish.

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Burrata with bottarga, fresh octopus carpaccio, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza... Traditional Italian flavors combine with a modern approach to offer an unparalleled taste experience. Whether they prefer Neapolitan pizza or fresh pasta with prawns, gourmets will find something to their liking in every bite!

Dandino is more than just a restaurant, it's a feast for the senses. Whether for brunch, lunch, dinner or just a drink, customers are welcomed with attention to detail and genuine Italian hospitality. Live music and DJ sets add to the atmosphere, ensuring that every moment spent here is memorable.

A menu that the editors were able to try out. We were tempted by the Italian-style polpette (fresh pasta, tomato sauce, simmered beef meatballs, parmesan and peas), as well as the prawn risotto with burrata. Two particularly hearty and tasty dishes. The price may be a little high, but it's good value for money (remember, we're in the 6th arrondissement of Paris). It's even rumored, in the words of the journalist colleague present, that the polpette are"better than in Naples" (to quote her). As for the risotto, it's particularly well seasoned, and the burrata adds a tasty and very interesting texture to the dish.

We then opted for two desserts: brioche perdue and tiramisu. The brioche perdue is very hearty and very good, covered with a spread that's ideal for sugar lovers. As for the tiramisu, the balance is there, although the mascarpone is a little dense. We'd have preferred something more airy. But this in no way detracts from the quality of the dessert, which will delight lovers of good tiramisu.

On the drinks side, a house mocktail, the Miss Monroe, made with raspberry juice, cranberry juice, rose syrup, lemon, yuzu soda and pomegranate seeds. A lovely, mouth-watering creation for all mocktail lovers! In short, a great address if you're passing through the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. All you have to do is drop in and make up your own mind!

Open non-stop from 7 a.m. to 1.30 a.m., Dandino is the ideal place for those looking to savor the dolce vita in the heart of Paris. Refinement and conviviality combine to create a haven of elegance and charm. Dandino invites all those seeking an authentic gastronomic experience to pass through its doors and let themselves be carried away by the flavors and sounds of Italy.