Da Rosa

Da Rosa
62, rue de Seine, in the 6th Arrondissement.
01 45 21 41 30. Open daily, 10 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
I’ve just had the good fortune of returning from a trip to Italy, where I got to meet the owners and purveyors of wonderful Ligurian specialties like Parma ham, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale vinegar. I loaded up on as many vacuum-sealed and boxed delicacies as my Parisian bag could hold, because nothing could be fresher than these products so close to the source. As I tried to figure out how to fit one more vinegar in my bag (thinking, I don’t need that pair of black flats after all!), I was relieved to hear that the producer sells some of his products in Paris restaurants. He wrote down the name and address of Da Rosa, and that was my first stop in Paris after dropping my bags back at my apartment.
Da Rosa is part épicerie but mostly restaurant. The good news is that they can slice fresh ham for you and vacuum-seal it right there on-site, which is the best way to buy the product, short of owning your own pig farm. They also offer a selection of high-end oils, vinegars and the most addictive Sauternes-soaked raisins that you will come across, so stock up.

The ham and cheese plates at Da Rosa.

There are a few low bistro tables inside if you want to watch the ham being sliced. Or do some people watching outside while enjoying the terrace, which is covered and heated in winter. The menu includes some top-notch ham and cheese selections from Spain, Italy and Portugal—including the expensive melt-in-your-mouth Iberian ham and a Parmigiano-Reggiano DOP that’s made exclusively for them, aged 30 months. 

Salmon tartare.

Also on the menu is a ruby-red gazpacho with hard-boiled eggs and a drizzle of olive oil. The salmon tartare is a must-get and worth every penny. It’s served in a beautiful tin that you might want to immediately pack up and take with you, but you’ll be eating every morsel on the toasted baguette.
The risotto is cooked a nice al dente and is further enhanced by a salty heap of diced ham and freshly grated Parmesan.
The well-priced Chardonnay and prosecco are nice companions to most items on the menu, including the custard-filled petit gâteau. But do yourself one better and grab a to-go bag of high-end products for your own kitchen. 

In a nutshell: Da Rosa is a good spot for a nosh at any time of day, or stop by to stock up for a picnic of the finest products from Spain, Italy and Portugal.
Price check: Starters and charcuterie boards, 6–28 euros (you’ll pay for the Iberian ham, but it’s worth it). Mains, 14–30 euros, though if you want to save up for caviar, the price shoots up to 520 euros for the best.
If you like the sound of Da Rosa but want to hit an épicerie closer to the Bastille, check out Simone & Nicola. Read the review.
Simone & Nicola
92, rue de la Roquette, in the 11th.
01 43 71 77 46. Tues–Sun, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
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Da Rosa
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