Delano Café: we tested the hidden patio restaurant with Franco-Italian cuisine Paris 8e

Just a stone's throw from the Madeleine, the Maison Delano Paris is home to the Delano Café, a discreet restaurant with a vast green patio. Chef Paolo Minelli offers French cuisine with Italian accents, in an elegant, peaceful setting.

Housed in a 19th-century mansion at 4 rue d'Anjou, Maison Delano Paris blends classic architecture with a Mediterranean spirit. Behind its Haussmann façade, you'll find the Delano Café in a 200 m² courtyard planted with trees, a hidden patio bathed in light, and a cleanly decorated room designed by Spanish studio Lázaro Rosa-Violán. The space, punctuated by blue tones and natural materials, evokes the shores of the South while retaining the elegance of a Parisian venue.

Formerly known as La Chambre Bleue under the direction of Spanish chef Dani García, the restaurant has changed course. Today, Paolo Minelli, a Milanese chef who has worked at the Martinez in Cannes and the Park Hyatt Paris Vendôme, is in charge of the menu. His seasonal cuisine is inspired by his Italian roots, but rooted in French classics.

The à la carte menu features a fine selection of fresh, plant-based starters, such as the justly executed Jardin de pois (snow peas, peas, celery juice, hibiscus oil). The crab is presented with a dashi broth, crunchy cucumber and subtle curry oil. As for the tomatoes in three textures, they play on temperatures and sensations, with a shiso ice candy that pleasantly surprises.

On the main course, the " riz vénéré aux coquillages " combines cockles, clams, chipirons and mussels with a touch of parsley juice to spice things up. The duck breast, served with grilled watermelon and smoked cream, is a bold but well-constructed combination. The chef's signature dish, celery risotto with truffle, impresses with its refined simplicity and beautiful execution. We loved it.

For dessert, trompe-l'œil Menton lemon awakens the taste buds and gives a real kick as much as it delights, while Gariguette strawberries with yoghurt and basil close the meal with freshness and lightness.

At weekends, Maison Delano offers a brunch on the patio (€95 for adults, €55 for children), with a sweet and savory buffet, seafood, bagels, vitello tonnato and pastries, complemented by a choice of hot dishes.

Maison Delano remains a special place in the Parisian landscape: a restaurant in the heart of the 8th arrondissement that combines discretion, calm and fine cuisine to be discovered out of sight. And for the best deal, the restaurant is open non-stop from 7:00 am to 10:45 pm. After 3pm, a snack menu featuring club sandwiches, salads, burgers and desserts is available.

Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, please drink responsibly.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.