We had a fabulous girls’ night out (with Kasia, Alana and Mary) at an outstanding restaurant in the charming center of Paris just off the Left Bank. Invited by friend and restaurant manager, Kajsa, to test the imported Italian delicacies of Amore e Gelosia, we were welcomed with the warmth of a friend and the luxury of a highly experienced professional.

What first sparks the interest upon entering the establishment are the large portraits and images that decorate the walls, or famous Italian icons and people eating pasta with sheer and utter contentment. Large bosomed women with grand and brilliant smiles and laughing men who look well fed and well loved. It’s the beginning of an evening bathed in the Italian culture. After a tour of the restaurant (three different dining areas) I decided it has the perfect balance of cosiness and chicness to be exactly what I would hope for from this #ItalyInParis experience.

Kajsa served us an apéritif to start with and invited us to our table. Comfortable seats with space between you and the table next to you…nice. Usually in Parisian restaurants, you are squished up to other diners’ tables and get to hear their conversation all evening. So it was nice to have some room for a change.

The restaurant is owened by an Italian named Enrico who first came from the Piedmont region of Italy to France to study in Fontainebleau. He opened his first Italian establishments there and has now begun to conquer Paris as well. All his recipes come from “la mamma” him mom. In addition to that, ALL the ingredients are imported from Italy, even the kitchen staff is imported! So you can be absolutely certain to be eating authentic Italian made food here. And do you want to hear some really great news?!? They even serve gluten free pasta for those who suffer from intolerance to gluten. (You should know that Italy is the country with the most amount of gluten free pasta brands!)

Our exquisite meal was a succession of succulent plates one of the other served in part by the fun and delightful Kajsa and also by the charming chef. The meal began with a “mise en bouche” of Parmesan cheese with two types of olive oil and the thickest balsamic vinegar I have ever seen, all garnished with walnuts. There was a very distinct difference of flavor between the two olive oils and it was fun to test them out with such mouthwatering accompaniments.

The entrée was a beautiful plate of Italian veal sliced as thin as ham with giant cocktail capers and a thick anchovy cream sauce. Divine.

That was followed by a platter to share at the table, of an assortment of Italian hams and cheeses with marinated bell peppers and mushrooms. Kajsa served glasses of chilled chardonnay from the Piedmont region, called Lidia. “La Mamma’s” first name is Lidia, so you can see why this wine is a favorite of Enrico’s!

The next dish was a delicate and rich risotto with cèpe mushrooms, served by the Italian chef, Italo Racchetti, with the most charming accent.


As you can imagine by now we had eaten quite a selection of food and well, I was no longer starving, to put it lightly. But the next dish HAD to be eaten entirely, hand made  pappardelle pasta (large, fat and long strips of perfectly cooked fresh pasta) garnished with duck à la italienne…. so so good. Kajsa served red Montepulciano D’Abruzzo wine that was perfectly selected to accompany the meal.

I was having a brain glaze from so much flavor and food, that I forgot to note what dessert was called. A quick message to Kajsa fixed that. Torta sbrisolona con crema al zabaione. It was a basket of hand made walnut biscotti of sorts, but waaaaaay better than any biscotti I have ever had! It was not too hard but had the perfect amount of crunch to please me and was served with a creamy egg and rum sauce for dipping…. oh my.

The food and restaurant and attention to detail by the swift and expert Kajsa was the perfect setting for an excellent soirée amongst girlfriends and the best way to let out the stress of daily life while feel so expertly taken care of. For a different kind of meal, for something authentic, I cannot say to you enough, to reserve a table at Amore e Gelosia. Their full menu is on their website. Browse and drool if you dare!

Amore e Gelosia

39 Rue Mazarine, 75006 Paris
01 46 34 54 71

 Tell Kajsa I sent you.