Pink Mamma
Restaurants in France are sometimes known for their quirkiness and unique charm that draws visitors to its doors before the food. Pink Mamma is one such place.
This is not to say that Pink Mamma’s food is lackluster. However, its reputation precedes the menu as such. Located in the Saint-Georges neighborhood of Paris, Pink Mamma is a trending restaurant specializing in traditional Italian food. And yes, while it is owned by the Big Mamma restaurant group, we believe that the restaurant has an interesting enough atmosphere and a delicious menu to make it onto our guide.
Before we even go any further, if you are unable to get a reservation here, it is unlikely that you will get in, unless you are at the front of the walk-in line. We were in the area and decided to come an hour before the restaurant opened for dinner, and we were already fifth in line. While this doesn’t sound bad at all, Pink Mamma chooses to let their reservation line in first when opening, and will only let in walk-in guests once most of the reservation parties have been served.
The line stretched behind us, growing quickly around the block. After the restaurant opened for dinner, it took our group about another forty-five minutes to get seated upstairs at bar seats. While this was fine for us, some travelers may not like this and would probably be better off finding another restaurant nearby to avoid the wait.
Once inside however, guests will immediately notice the unique design aspects of the restaurant. Each floor has a different vibe to it, and we were seated in a room that had traditional Italian-style decor in front of the kitchen staff.
Due to its unique aesthetic and reputation, the energy at Pink Mamma is upbeat and youthful. Chefs are constantly flurrying around getting orders ready, while families and groups of friends are chatting casually. We sat right in front of the chef cutting slices of prosciutto, which was entertaining to watch while waiting for our food.
To start, we ordered the focaccia, which comes with Grane Arso (burnt grain) flour and burrata on top. Each slice is thick and well-cooked throughout with olive oil and seasoning, making it easy to eat. The burrata is creamy and refreshing, helping to lighten up the heaviness of the olive oil and bread combination.
Up next is a seasonal special serving of rabbit, which may or may not be available anymore. It comes with four pieces, and while this may sound and look tiny in the pictures, it is adequately filling. The rabbit is tender and juicy, having the consistency of chicken but with the taste of something richer. The glaze on top tastes like a reduced bone and vegetable-based sauce, but we are not entirely sure about this. Either way, it is delicious and beautifully presented.
Lastly, the La Fameuse Pâte À La Truffe (yeah, you’re probably not gonna remember that at all, are you) is a black truffle-based pasta mixed with other varieties of seasonal truffle. It is cooked with mascarpone (a type of Italian cream cheese) and mushrooms to give it an extra creamy texture and flavor. While truffle can sometimes be both overdone and overpowering in taste, this pasta has a bold taste without crossing that line. The black truffle certainly comes across as the main note, but is balanced by the mushrooms and the noodles to mellow it out, giving it a deeply umami taste that is highly unique. While it may not be the most expensive truffle-based dish out there, it is an excellent way to try truffle without breaking the bank if it is your first time.
Whether you are looking to Instagram your next visit or just want a tasty reminder of Italia while in Paris, Pink Mamma is sure to deliver and hardly likely to disappoint. Again, reservations are highly recommended to avoid long wait times.
