TheItalian food in France has roots which go back very far in history. Around the Mediterranean Basin, there were many exchanges in the ancient times. Cuisine and food habits were no exception to the rule and followed the trade routes. Although some products were already known in Massalia (now Marseille, a Phocaean counter since 600 BC), they spread widely among the Gauls as the influences from Italy grew quickly after the conquest of Gaul by the Caesar's legions 2000 years ago. Among these products, the Romans developed the culture of grapevine to make wine. They introduced the oven and with it the skills of cooking bread. They brought with them the choppers and taught how to prepare the sausages. In the mean time, the Gauls shipped to Rome live fish and oysters, kept in barrels with sea water...

Since then these cross border influences have not stopped. More recently, during the Renaissance, the fashion came again from Italy and benefited a lot to the French cuisine and tableware. The plates appeared first on the wedding table of François 1er, the forks during the reign of his grandson, Henri III. His mother Catherine of Medicis, when coming to marry his father Henri II, brought with her the pasta, and the American bean from the then West Indies. In her suite was Count Frangipani, already known for his pastry cream, together with many Italian cooks.

In fact, at that time, having an Italian chef was a must in any noble house. Of course, this did challenge the French chefs who observed, compared, and improved their techniques to take the lead back.

Today, it is much easier to travel, and these transalpine influences are still present. One can experience a true superb Italian cuisine while staying in Paris. They are lots of Italian restaurants, ranging from the pizzeria to the high class tables. Here are some of our favourites, in different styles, and located in various places of interest, to help you to make an Italian trip to Paris.

About half way between the Invalides and the Eiffel Tower, in the little Malar Street, there is Beato, run by Ivano Giordani, who settled here in 1984. In this refined and cosy décor, you will run into some chic Paris people. When the headquarters of the French TV were nearby, lots of TV stars were seen in its elegant dining room, and even the late President Mitterrand used to invite his daughter here to share an Italian dinner with him. Everything is of the utmost freshness, and besides the specials of the day, you can have an à la carte summary of Italian cuisine. As starters, you have a choice between different antipasti, a superb prosciutto di Parma, stewed artichokes with herbs or parmesan cheese, sautéed sea shells and crustaceans, an assortment of grilled vegetables, a scampi and shrimps salad, or a marinated salmon with basil and lemon, . . .