Italian cuisine in Paris according to Maurizio Gonezzi

Owner and manager of the « Romantica Caffé » Arc de Triomphe, Maurizio Gonezzi has set up shop not far from the Etoile in Paris to introduce everyone to the secrets of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, mixing products from the land and the sea.

Maurizio Gonezzi was born 50 years ago in a small town in northern Italy in the « Cinque Terre » region; a mountainous region open to the sea, located between the Alps and the Apennines; he lived in his native region until the age of 18.

After studying at a hotel school in Italy, he obtained a diploma in « Tourism and Hospitality » at the Technical and Professional Institute. He then built a career thanks to numerous experiences in the field. His interpersonal skills and diplomacy are his main assets, as well as his knowledge of computers and several languages ​​(Italian, English, Spanish). This is how he can communicate with his cosmopolitan clientele.

The different professional stages

In Italy, he worked in the most typical restaurants of Liguria, Cinque Terre, Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure, magnificent places to discover for those who do not know them.

At the age of 20, embarked on a luxury cruise ship of the Costa Cruises company, he had many experiences as a « Hotel Manager », showing the excellence of the « Italian Bella Vita » to the many international passengers. It was also on board that he met the woman who became his wife. The couple then decided to settle in Paris for a more stable life.

For 3 years, he was a hotel manager in a French group (Inwood Hotel Group), serving an international clientele of individuals and companies (L’Oréal, Finmeccanica, Navy, Microsoft, Panasonic, Poiray …). This clientele has become a real network.

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Since September 2017, he has turned to new projects. He took over the management of the restaurant « La Verrière » in Croissy-sur-Seine. in Île-de-France. This adventure ended in March 2024. In addition, in January 2022, he took over the reins of the restaurant « Romantica Caffé Arc de Triomphe » This restaurant is a real gem thanks to its menu and its invention of « slow food » (« Slow food » is an international movement that wants to give back to food all its value and its place in society, by respecting producers and promoting local flavors and traditions from each terroir and each culture). It also stands out for its cellar which contains great vintages or signature wines as well as a selection of Italian wines, « round, structured, simple, all in elegance and delicacy »). He also created a « Catering » branch which allows customers to find Italy at their table. It is the best of Italy imported from sunny regions to celebrate culinary craftsmanship and the Italian art of living.

David Donadéi

David Donadéi is a fervent lover of Italian cuisine, given his origins. He is also a friend of Maurizzio and loves the specialties he offers. So he chose his friend’s restaurant to celebrate his birthday and introduce his friends to the chef’s cuisine. typical dishes but also original and unknown.

For the occasion, he had gathered:

– Jean Pierre CASTALDI (Comedian and Actor)
– Jean Michel MOUTIER (Ex professional footballer at PSG and Nancy)
– Isabelle SEVERINO (Ex European and French gymnastics champion)
– Fabienne AMIACH (TV presenter)
– Katia TCHENKO (Comedian and Actress)
– Patrice LAFONT (TV presenter and comedian)
– Evelyne DRESS (Comedian)
– Martial ODONE (Comedian)
– CARTOUCHE (Comedian and Humorist)
– Farid KHIDER (7 times world champion of Thai boxing)
– Guy AMRAM (Comedian)
– Akim TAFER (Ex European and French boxing champion) and his wife Candice TAFER

Friends, photographers and journalists were present around the star of the evening, in order to immortalize this moment. We noted the presence of:

– Frédéric LECOUDRAY
– Laurent BEHNAMOU
– Julien STEENKISTE
– Maurice KASSOURI
– Thomas BROCHOT
– Christophe BUSNEL
– Leslie BROCHOT
– David MANOURY
– Christian GACON
– Jean-Hugues BLANC
– Véronique YANG

A succulent meal

After the antipasti, we were able to attend a real show: linguine flambéed in a wheel of Grana Padano cheese, a delight for the eyes and the palate. This culinary escapade ended with a tiramisu as light as it was succulent.

Romantico Caffé – Arc de Tromphe

7 rue Lauriston
75016 Paris
Open 7/7 day – lunch and dinner
12pm-2:30pm/7pm-10:30pm
Friday evening and Saturday evening 7pm-11pm
Tel: +33 (0)1 45 00 91 89

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Updated July 23, 2024

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VERONIQUE YANG

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