Siena Paris Reminds Us What Dinners Are Supposed To Be: Long and Slow
Owner Mehdi Abdelhedi speaks to Seele about the restaurant’s inspiration and why it’s so engaging…
From the outside Siena may look like any other upscale restaurant in Paris, but au contraire. It’s anything but. I’ve been before but for a Fashion week party, so naturally I was intrigued to dine there at the end of the AW26 women’s Paris Fashion Week season. Like renowned dining spots Hotel Costes, L’Avenue, and Plaza Athenee, Siena is nearly impossible to get a reservation during Fashion Week because Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Lori Harvey, and Gigi Hadid might just be there dining. But if you manage to get in, you won’t regret it and you’ll leave feeling recharged.
To dine at night, it is something special. What Tunisian-born restauranteur, owner and founder Mehdi Abdelhedi has been able to create with the Italian restaurant is nothing short of heart-warming. Life is what you make it, experiences are what you make them, and dining at Siena is what you make it. Sure, you can be in and out in under and hour. But if you absorb Abdelhedi’s vision, you will find yourself refreshed and refueled, satiated by more than just food, but also good company, rich conversation, and engaging music.
“Siena is deeply connected to my family history,” Abdelhedi explains to Seele. “I grew up in restaurants, my father opened his first place in Paris more than 30 years ago, so hospitality has always been part of my life. With Siena, I wanted to build on that heritage while creating something that reflects a more modern vision of dining. My wife played a very important role in the project. Coming from a fashion background, she led the entire artistic direction and helped create this elegant, warm and welcoming atmosphere with a subtle touch of glamour.”
The Bar | Photo- Siena/Instagram
The main dining room | Photo- Siena/Instagram
As you walk into the restaurant tones of burnt orange and coral are the most attention grabbing. The bar is lit up and inviting, a good place to have a drink if you’re waiting. You’ll noticed the framed signed plates on the walls. Just this week Oprah and Gayle King dined at Siena, where Oprah signed a plate. And, a few nights later Golden Globe winning actress Teyana Taylor also signed a plate. The main dining room is the place to sit at night. Walking in, a lighter shade of taupe with 3D flower detailing on the walls stands out, while the glass ceiling, mirrors, and live foliage give an open feel to the room.
“The idea was to create a place where people who are used to beautiful restaurants and refined experiences can still feel relaxed,” says Abdelhedi. “The décor, the lighting, the music, everything was thought of to create a warm energy, sophisticated but alive. It’s a place where guests feel comfortable enjoying the moment.”
Because Siena is a place for long and slow dining, I recommend doing three courses. The menu is quite comprehensive so there is something for everyone. The Burrata al Tartufo, a truffle burrata is paired with cherry tomatoes, black truffle and truffle oil. You may have had burrata before but you haven’t had this burrata. It melts in your mouth in all the right places. You can’t go wrong with the Calamari Fritti, which is served with spicy may sauce, but the Pizzetta al Salmone e Caviale is— there are no words in the English language to describe so you just have to try . It’s simply divine. The crust is quality and crunchy in all the right places, and its topped with smoked salmon and light cream and caviar.
Calamari Fritti | Photo- Seele
Pizzetta al Salmone e Caviale is an absolute must to try | Photo- Siena/Instagram
“The menu is generous, seasonal and very much inspired by Italian traditions,” says Abdelhedi. “We focus on beautiful ingredients, simple recipes done well and dishes meant to be shared. It’s elegant but approachable, food that feels refined but still comforting.”
For mains, pizza and pasta won’t let you down, but passing up on seafood was not an option for me. The Branzino e Carciofo isn’t too big or too small. It’s just right with artichokes cream and artichokes, and pairs nicely with the truffle mashed potatoes.
Branzino e Carciofo | Photo- Seele
While I judge any hospitality establishment by the quality of its known service, I also pay close attention to the service. The staff from the hostesses at the entrance to, the wait staff, and guest music artists are what contribute heavily to the Siena experience. The food is already great but there are many restaurants in Paris with good food and a subpar experience. Where Siena succeeds, is that coupled with slow dining and the food, is the great service and engagement with live musicians. Every time the live guitarist periodically sang throughout the night, everyone dining was either standing up dancing at their seat, bobbing to the beat and mouthing the lyrics while seated, or sitting back panning the room while taking the night in. You don’t need a nightclub after Siena because Siena is a sort of nightclub while dining.
I’m curious how Abdelhedi was able to make a restaurant with an engaging environment possible. Any proper and good hospitality establishment should be like a living room in the community it rests in, and Siena has been able to capture this. “A big part of it comes from the service,” he explains. “The waiters are extremely attentive and truly take care of every guest, making sure everyone feels comfortable from the moment they arrive. Siena is designed to be enjoyable at any moment of the day: whether it’s a quick lunch, an elegant dinner or a more festive late-night atmosphere. It’s that balance between attentive service and the evolution of the energy throughout the evening that makes the experience unique.”
The tiramisu | Photo- Siena/Instagram
For your third course, which is a must, tiramisu is a good place to start. If you’re full with very little room left, then do like me and go for the two scoops of sorbetti or gelati. As I sat there taking the ambience in, having had one of the best meals I’ve had in a long time— and that’s saying something because experiencing the best gourmand is part of my work— I had a sense of joy and belonging. It’s easy to meet and make a new friend with a nearby table at Siena.
The wall of plates signed by celebrities | Photo- Seele
The live guitar player had retired for the evening and the music had turned to club-like with the room catching a second wind of song and dance as ABBA’S Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! turned up. Eating my lemon and pistachio sorbet and gelato, my instant thought was: “I can’t wait to come back.”
The only thing Abdelhedi is missing is a hotel upstairs, where after singing and dancing with good company, good food, and good drinks till the early morning, one can just go upstairs and sleep. Hands down, Siena is a place you don’t want to miss. There is a reason celebrities keep going, and going back again.
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