Italian cuisine keeps on inspiring young entrepreneurs. Proof of it with the opening in the 2nd arrondissement of Dalmata, initiated by Julien Bouaziz and Romain Bertin. The duo has teamed up with chef pizzaiolo Roberto Belotti coming from Lombardy to give birth to a place that is young, friendly and mouth-watering also with an urban decoration!
Here, the concept is simple: 202 pizzas maximum are served daily (101 at lunchtime and 101 at dinnertime) to enjoy on the spot or to take away. To get an idea of how many pizzas are left, a counter has been put at the entrance of the restaurant. After queuing (more or less long according to the hour), you can directly order at the checkout. Once you’ve ordered and paid, grab your silverwares and a glass and take a seat wherever you want. Careful though, according to days and hours, Dalmata can be crowded. Seats being limited, you’ll have to be patient and wait until a table is freed to take it. A piece of advice: the sooner you arrive the better the seat!
Then, the young, dynamic and 100% Italian staff will call you by your first name and will bring your order directly to your table.
But then, what do we eat there? The huge and authentic wooden oven, directly coming from Naples doesn’t fail. Here, the star of the place is the pizza. And not any kind; the one fulfilling your taste buds from the first bite thanks to a well-developed dough that is both light and flavorful and filled with quality ingredients (organic, Slow Food labelled, IGP or DOP).
All in all, 13 pizzas are available: 8 classics and 5 more atypical creations. Among the unmissable, we have the “Marinara Antica” with San Marzano tomatoes, garlic from Nubia and oregano and even the “Arti Choc!” with ricotta, mozzarella fior di latte, prosciutto cotto and confit artichokes.
If you want to play the originality card, then discover the “Sweet Dream” (ricotta, smoked mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and cacioricotta) or the “Black Delirium” (ricotta, fior di latte mozzarella and fresh truffles) without forgetting the “We Love Green” (snow pea cream, fior di latte mozzarella and guanciale).
As for me, I went for the excellent “Giana!” with the irresistible San Marzano tomatoes, its soft fior di latte mozzarella, small and perfectly cooked eggplant chunks and pecorino romano DOP.
Pizza "Giana!"
To go along, Dalmata offers sides such as Crunchy Mozzarella (fried and smoked mozzarella), its polenta with gorgonzola (polenta French fries served with gorgonzola cream) and even a pan-fried pasta gratin with grana Padano cream. Sides each more tantalizing than the last, but I ultimately chose the latest suggestion; Truffle Arancini, delicious pan-fried balls of rice stuffed with truffle cream! Simply to die for!
Truffle arancini
Finally, like every Neapolitan restaurant worthy of its name, Dalmata offers some delicious Italian produces to enjoy on the spot or to take away such as this smooth stracciatella affumicata (€8) as well as a 250g burrata di Andria (€13) and a 125g mozzarella di Bufala km zero (€7).
Stracciatella affumicata
And for sweet-toothed patrons, you better not leave without tasting the pleasure provided by the famous and irresistible Tiramisu classico with its impressive mascarpone cream and its coffee-soaked biscuit, what a delight! In other words, go for the Titiramisu or the soft serves!
Tiramisu classico
To wash it all down, Dalmata has selected three Italian craft beers coming from Piedmont: the Baladin (White, IPA or amber) as well as several Italian wines (Chianti, Valpolicella and even Cortese).
Despite the uncountable number of Italian restaurants in the French capital, Dalmata has succeeded in surprising us and satisfying our taste buds by reaching the podium of the best Neapolitan pizzas in Paris in no time! A piece of advice: run there now.
Practical information:
Dalmata
8 rue Tiquetonne – 75002 Paris
Opening hours: from Tuesday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Pizzas: from €8 to €17 / Sides: from €7 to €9 / Beers: from €5 to €7 / Wines: from €6 to €25 / Desserts: from €7 to €9
Alcohol abuse is bad for your health, please drink responsibly.
Please note that it's been over 4 years since our last visit, so the place and experience may have changed.
Location
Dalmata
8 Rue Tiquetonne
75002 Paris 2
Official website
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