Where Rose Bakery once stood on rue Debeylleme in the 3rd arrondissement is now BigLove Caffè; its wooden shelves filled with Italian deli products, preserved lemons, sachets of spices and nuts.
The fourth Big Mamma address stands out the most from its sisters – with a long list of gluten-free dishes (such a pizza with maize, buckwheat and rice flour) but especially, a rare coveted concept in Paris, an all-day brunch. With an Italian vibe, of course. Gargantuan blueberry pancakes with buffalo milk ricotta came drenched in maple syrup – utter decadence. Egg dishes include eggs & balls (peppers stuffed with polpette meatballs, melted mozzarella and basil) or spicy avo toast on gluten-free Chambelland bread.
To drink, expect espressos and other lattes of course, plus more unusual choices like the irresistible Bicerin Gianduja, a shot of coffee with a blob of gianduja chocolate in the middle. Like all the restaurants in the Big Mamma group, it’s beautiful and delicious, but can feel like it's lacking spontaneity at times. But those pancakes - and the fact we didn’t need to book or queue on a weekday at 10am - won us over.
TRANSLATION: MEGAN CARNEGIE