No need to climb the peaks of the Alps or Piedmont to discover what Bistrotto has in store for you. This new trattoria on the Montmartre hilltop can be discovered via a series of staircases not as high as the Alpine peaks, but which, once climbed, still provoke a feeling of satisfaction.
The address is, in fact, no stranger to the world. Instead of L'Escalier, owner Rafael Dos Santos chose to change the trajectory of the address and cross borders. Although he owns Sapinho, an authentic Portuguese tavern not far from Bistrotto, it was Italy and its many delights that inspired the restaurateur.
To do this, Rafael enlisted the help of Arthur, who is well-versed in ritual recipes, since he himself runs Sugo, a charming fresh pasta restaurant on the Saint-Augustin side of town. It's a true story of friendship and transmission, but although Arthur gave him several pasta and sauce recipes, some are new and exclusive to Bistrotto - and the fresh pasta is made on site, in the restaurant's laboratory, using seasonal produce.
A must for any Bistrotto lunch are the classic cacio e pepe (15€), made with Pecorino Romano, Parmesan and toasted black pepper, and the pasta al ragù (16€), slow-cooked with shredded beef, Sardinian tomatoes and gremolata - garlic, lemon zest, parsley and breadcrumbs - to give it a kick.
Starters, too, play the tradition card, with a quality vitello tonnato (11€), made with low-temperature-cooked veal knuckles and a sauce with anchovies, thyme and Pugliese capers that's not too salty; and gnocchi alla romana (8€), different from the gnocchi you're probably thinking of, since this is corn polenta au gratin with Parmigiano Reggiano in a homemade tomato sauce.
Already tempted? Wait until you see the best part: Bistrotto's unbeatable quality/quantity/price ratio. Lunch menus start at 12€ for a Sugo pasta dish + dessert, and go up to 15€ for other pasta dishes + dessert - the orange blossom panna cotta is a knockout. Hard to beat. Otherwise, à la carte, expect to pay 16€ for the dish of the day, between 6€ and 11€ for starters, and between 14€ and 16€ for pasta. True Italian conviviality.
In the glasses, fine Italian wines from all over the Alps and cocktails are the order of the day, making Bistrotto an essential stop on any stroll around Montmartre. What's more, the address boasts a charming terrace where you can enjoy a drink as soon as the sun comes out.
This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please mention it in the comments.
Location
Bistrotto
6 Rue de la Fontaine du But
75018 Paris 18
Official website
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