Borgo delle Tovaglie. Paris

Hello Monday & Hello to a new place to go: Borgo delle Tovaglie! A Italian fashion workshop in which the owners/designers present their collection of tableware, home linen, bathroom products and decorative objects. On a corner you can also find Italian products such as: pastas, sauces, breads, wines and beers. And recently, in another corner they created a restaurant. 

The atmosphere is like an old fashioned family home, wooden floor, tables and chairs, candles and soft lights everywhere and the accents of the two owners make you travel to Italy in a minute. A variety of charcuterie are hang above the bar and cakes, quiches and bread on the counter. The menu is presented in an Italian book and you have the choice between 4 fresh salads: the smoked mozzarella, carpaccio, prosciutto and vegetables layer cake. Served on massive platters, you can have charcuterie and cheese, freshly cut from their grocery corner, served with a range of their Italian wines. And then you have a selection of two different tapas served like baby hot panini called Tigelle: the vegetarian one with artichoke cream, eggplant dip, dry tomatoes or the carne one with prosciutto, dry beef and salami. And of course a choice of fresh pastas like home-made gnocchi with pecorino, ricotta and tomatoes. 

The atmosphere is romantic with all the candles but can also be very friendly when seated at the big wooden tables, on sofas with lots of cushions sharing platters and drinking wines. A good place to go, to hang out for the decoration (I bought two plates) and to eat for all the great quality Italian products they have. 

Borgo delle Tovaglie, 4 Rue du Grand Prieuré, 75011 Paris. Metros: Oberkampf (M5) or (M9). Open everyday except on Sunday from 12pm to 10:30pm. From 10€ to 20€. Wines: from 15 to 35€. Beers: 9,50€.