Hidden in the heart of the bustling Marais near Hotel de Ville, is an open-air café under a large roof top, a little oasis from the crowds. Alaia Café/Restaurant is in the courtyard that houses the Azzedine Alaïa Foundation, which curates fashion and style exhibitions. (CLICK HERE to read about their latest show).
The Alaia Café/Restaurant reflects two important sides of Alaia: his passion for design and architecture, and his love for cooking and entertaining his friends.
The courtyard is filled with black Bertoya, grill work chairs and bottle green tabletops. Inside is a terrific bookshop with coffee table books about design, fashion, and style. I especially like the Alaia postcards with great images of his clothes and models. There’s also dining room next to the bookshop, graced with more handsome furniture, and another small outdoor terrace.
Italian chef Ivan Schenatti offers a simple Italian cuisine of pasta, risotto, salads, fish, cheese, and dessert.
I had the formule lunch menu a few weeks ago, two courses for 27€. A small ceramic bowl with chilled gazpacho was refreshing, and a few minutes later, orecchiette with white zucchini, smoked provola arrived in an oversized, white ceramic bowl. The top was scattered with micro-thin slices of fried zucchini, and the pasta had a big fluff of foam. I had a good, strong shot of espresso to finish with.
I often meet friends for drinks or coffee at the Alaia Café/Restaurant because of the pleasant and congenial atmosphere.
Lunch is served from 12-2:30pm, and dinner 7pm-10pm, Tuesday to Sunday. The café is open seven days a week, 11am to 10pm.
18 Rue de la Verrerie 75004
https://fondationazzedinealaia.org/en/cafe-restaurant/
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