Ten years of Madeleine in Prati: In search of lost taste

Madeleine is celebrating ten years in the Prati district, establishing itself as one of the most recognizable bistrots in the area. The idea from partners Giancarlino and Daniele Quattrini, creators of projects like Hotel Butterfly, was born with the goal of introducing a new concept into a context dominated by traditional formats. A year and a half of work, entrusted to designer Matteo Parenti, transformed the project into an environment that blends Parisian inspiration with Italian hospitality, featuring 1950s references and the Proustian storytelling of its name.

The venue maintains an all-day formula: open from 7:30 AM to 1:00 AM, it follows the customers’ day from breakfast to tea time, from lunch to aperitifs, through to dinner and after-dinner drinks. The Italian cuisine with French influences has been consolidated under chef Simone Maddaleni. Offerings include: Croque Monsieur, duck foie gras terrine, a selection of French cheeses, Sardinian fregola with clams, turnip greens and chickpeas, egg fettuccine with porcini mushrooms, grilled catch of the day, and beef sirloin.

The pastry shop is one of the bistrot’s cornerstones. The arrival of pastry chef Francesca Minnella, two years after the opening, defined a recognizable French signature. Today, production includes various versions of madeleines, including savory ones, croissants, cakes, tarts, crêpes, macarons, and structured desserts such as Saint Honoré, Profiteroles, and Tarte Citron.

On December 4, the bistrot is dedicating a special day to its tenth anniversary. From 4:00 PM, the invitation is open to the neighborhood, with sweets and tastings offered to friends, customers, and anyone wishing to participate. This will be followed by a dinner bringing together figures who have shaped the venue’s history: Riccardo Di Giacinto, now chef-patron of All’Oro and among the original members of the Madeleine kitchen; Dario Nuti, pastry chef at the Rome Cavalieri; Simone Maddaleni, resident chef; and Francesca Minnella, the bistrot’s pastry chef. A symbolic moment that retraces the early years and celebrates the journey taken.

“Celebrating ten years is an important milestone, but also a starting point to keep improving,” comments Giancarlino. “We are happy with the work done so far and the trust our customers have shown us. Madeleine is now a landmark in the neighborhood, and that is a great success. Our goal now is also to look beyond Italian borders toward international expansion.”

“When we opened, our goal was to bring a bistrot to Rome with all-day service from morning to night, with an international identity,” adds Daniele Quattrini. “It is a great satisfaction to see how this format has been embraced, especially in a traditional neighborhood like Prati. Customer care has always been at the heart of our philosophy: it is what brings people back, building loyalty over time.”

The tenth anniversary also represents the confirmation of a defined identity. Madeleine continues to present itself as a bistrot that accompanies the daily lives of its customers through design, cuisine, pastry, and constant attention to hospitality. A balance between French elegance and Italian character remains at the foundation of the project and its future developments.