Felini, the new Franco-Italian bistro-style restaurant in Paris's 9th arrondissement

Felini is a bistro-style restaurant serving refined cuisine in the 9th arrondissement of Paris. Here, you'll discover sun-drenched gastronomy at the crossroads of Italian and French flavors. Seasonal dishes and inventive cuisine are on the menu at this spot that revisits traditions.

In search of a good address in the heart ofParis' 9tharrondissement, the Saint-Georges district is an astonishing haven of tranquility, in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of Pigalle andOpéra. Here, the hustle and bustle of Paris seems so far away, as if we've entered a timeless bubble, retaining the charm of a Paris of yesteryear while presenting the capital in a different light and time zone. As if in response to the hectic pace of the neighboring districts, Saint-Georges invites us to stroll and take our time. Neighborhood nuggets abound, attracting gourmets enticed by the promise of fine culinary discoveries.

And now a sunny address is emerging as a promising spot for food lovers. The name? Felini. Behind this audacious spot are two talents straight from the finest Parisian addresses. On one side is Laura Hyppolito, who previously worked at Langosteria du Cheval Blanc and Localino, two Italian-inspired addresses. On the other, Alexandre Guyader, formerly of Dali, the famous Le Meurice restaurant where French gastronomy takes center stage. Please note: several restaurants in Paris are named Fellini: the address we're talking about here takes just one L and is located at 50 rue Saint-Georges in Paris's 9th arrondissement.

Together, they have created this friendly, trendy neighborhood address, where you can enjoy top-flight cuisine that reflects their backgrounds. Their specialty? Refined, generous Franco-Italian cuisine that reinvents tradition. So don't expect to find the classics here, which might not be to purists' taste. However, if you're ready to discover a new twist on cuisine and rediscover iconic specialties in a new light, then this spot should provide you with a fine culinary experience.

As a starter during our visit, just as summer was in full swing in the capital, we were able to refresh our taste buds with a zucchini velouté that was anything but classic, as it was accompanied by a variation on the star vegetable and a ricotta mousse that added even more deliciousness to the plate, all married to crispy guanciale, giving character to this recipe. Always fresh, the yellowtail crudo, also on the menu that day, was sure to delight fish lovers, with a plate full of pep where coriander oil meets a hibiscus broth. It all sets the tone: if this is a convivial address, it doesn't give in to the desire to offer daring dishes with elegant presentation.

On the main course, one recipe could already stand out as a signature of the house: fresh tagliatelle with house-smoked butter, topped with Parmesan cheese. Creamy and yet not too heavy, this pasta is a delight to eat, and it's our favorite.

If you're the kind of person who says Basta! to pastas, we recommend the fish of the moment, which promises to be masterfully cooked and will benefit from a creative accompaniment, in this case a beet and kombu seaweed purée, a surprising twist between sweet flavors and iodized accents, beet pickles and fish fumet and red wine. Together, these two dishes illustrate this Franco-Italian encounter. A fine wine list, both French and Italian, also awaits oenophiles, while those who prefer soft drinks can opt for artisanal Italian beverages.

When it comes to dessert, we're particularly insistent: pana cotta is a must! This is Laura Hyppolito's recipe. Forget the idea of a compact flan, here we savor this sweet treat in the rules of the art, with a creamy texture and pronounced milky notes... with, of course, the Felini twist. In this case, this Italian classic is enhanced by two vanillas, Bourbon and Papuan, while white balsamic and basil syrup add a touch of pep.

It's not uncommon in a restaurant to feel a difference in level or boldness between starter, main course and dessert. Felini pulls off this balancing act and, in our opinion, succeeds in offering such audacity and quality at every stage of the menu, while still offering decent value for money. We also salute the proportions that allow us to leave perfectly satisfied: it's neither too little... nor too much at all. The menu is the same for lunch and dinner, with one difference: at lunchtime, there's a starter/main course or main course/dessert for €24, and a full menu for €30. The setting lends itself particularly well to romantic dinners and meals with friends, and features a seasonal terrace. However, in the absence of a children's menu, we wouldn't recommend the restaurant to families. All in all, this is a great neighborhood nugget that's well worth the detour and the forkful!

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