Prima: the gourmet Neapolitan pizza concept opens in Paris' Batignolles district

Attention Neapolitan pizza lovers! The 17th arrondissement of Paris is home to a new ultra-gourmet address featuring the gourmet pizza concept, with a dozen à la carte offerings devised by the highly creative pizzaiolo Marco de Cristofaro.

You've certainly noticed. There are plenty of pizza restaurants in Paris. And for some years now, Neapolitanpizzerias have been on a roll. With its soft dough and airy edge, the Neapolitan pizza has unquestionably gained the upper hand over the Roman pizza.

In the face of competition, some are trying to make their mark. Such is the case of Prima, a Neapolitan pizzeria due to open in June 2023 in the Batignolles district of Paris. The idea? To offer gourmet pizzas, in other words, pizzas by a chef combining creativity, modernity, aesthetics and exceptional products, all in keeping with Neapolitan tradition!

Both generous and gastronomic, these gourmet pizzas have become the playground of the world's best pizzaiolos. To enjoy them, there's now an address in Paris: Prima. Behind this establishment is Frenchman Jean de Saulieu, in partnership with his brother-in-law Stefano Napoli, head of Brussels-based Pizza è Bella, acclaimed by the famous Top Pizza 50 ranking.

For Prima, Jean and Stefano started from scratch, with an original menu and gourmet creations imagined by Neapolitan pizzaiolo Marco de Cristofaro (ex Big Mamma), and a meticulous decor by the Via Flaminia studio. Inside the restaurant, the codes of Italy are present almost everywhere: hand-painted tiles from Vietri, design elements by Gio Ponti, Fornasetti and Marcantonio, original 80s clippings from La Gazetta dello Sport hanging on the walls, Carrara marble on the tables, not to mention tableware also made in the land of La Dolce Vita.

But let's get back to what's on our plates. For Prima, pizzaiolo Marco de Cristofaro, assisted by his brother Silvio, is brimming with ideas to offer generous, creative and tasty pizzas that smell of Italy, all made with quality ingredients such as Pugliese Burrata, San Marzano DOP tomatoes, Fiordilatte della Penisola, black pork pancetta or Bufala Campana DOP. All are baked in the imposing golden oven at the back of the room.

A total of ten gourmet pizzas are on the menu, including " La Norma ", made with San Marzano DOP tomatoes, Bufala, eggplant, caramelized onions and ricotta; " La Squadra Azzura ", made with fresh basil pesto, confit tomatoes, Bufala Campana DOP and Stracciatella, or " La Bottarga " with boutargue, Bufala Campana DOP, Cetara tuna belly, confit red onions, marjoram and Apulian sea water!

Prima goes even further, offering no fewer than 5 " seasonal gourmet pizzas ", including " La Bari " (artichoke cream, Fiordilatte della Penisola, speck, 24-month Parmesan petals) and " La Mano Di Dio " (fresh porcini cream, Provola, crunchy Guanciale, black truffle petals, thyme and Parmesan), a pizza smoked under a bell! These pizzas are more expensive than the classic staples, but they're very generous, and made with premium ingredients sourced directly from Italy.

For our part, we fell for " La Enzo ", a gourmet pizza that smells of tomato pesto, Fruscella ricotta, black pork pancetta and chives. Gourmet and generous, a real treat!

We also love the sublime and oh-so-tasty " L'Equinozio " pizza, made with a delicious cream of pumpkin, chestnuts, fresh roasted chestnuts, peperoncino in fili and rosemary. Surprising and seasonal to boot!

Of course, for fans of classic pizzas, Prima offers the unmissable " Margherita ", " Napoletena " and " Diavola ", as well as Fritte and Calzone pizzas. For the more adventurous, opt for the " Smorfia ", a mystery pizza specially concocted by pizzaiolo Marco di Cristofaro.

If you feel like starting with antipasti, try the delicious " Bruschetta Classica ", with cherry tomatoes, garlic, organic extra virgin olive oil and basil. Simple and effective! To end on a sweet note, Prima recommends its traditional Tiramisu or Panna Cotta. Between the two, the choice promises to be difficult.

And to accompany it all, the restaurant offers 5 white wines and a dozen reds from a wide variety of origins (Sicily, Puglia, Tuscany...). The best part? The menu reveals wine pairings to match the pizza you choose!

With its gourmet pizza concept and succulent creations, Prima is sure to be a hit in the Batignolles district, before seducing the rest of the capital.

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please mention it in the comments.