Rome The magic of the Eternal City lies in the unique balance of its trendsetting present with its hallowed past. Though Rome's monuments are legendary, it is a city first and foremost about people—people who enjoy food and la dolce vita. Business travelers should take time out to view some of Rome's architectural wonders, and to taste some of its gutsy, substantial fare prepared alla romana. RESTAURANTS:
Via di Monte Testaccio 30, (06) 5746318 2 toques €€€ This century-old, family-owned trattoria adjoins Monte Testaccio, an imposing mound of pottery shards piled up over 500 years by Roman slaves. In fact, the restaurant's wine cellar was dug out of the terra-cotta fragments and as a result enjoys a cool temperature year-round. It's a perfect spot to try classic Roman pastas, and such unusual—but savory—dishes as tripe, stewed oxtail and beans with caul fat. Superb wines and cheese round off an unforgettable meal here. La
Pergola The chef at what many today consider to be the best restaurant in Rome isn't Italian but German—Heinz Beck. (According to fans, Beck's success springs from having mastered not only Italian cooking but the Italian mentality.) Among Beck's seasonal specialties: tomato terrine with deep-fried anchovies, marinated mackerel with tomato, guinea fowl with black olives and simple but sublime pastas. All this plus a breathtaking city view from this perch atop the Rome Cavalieri Hilton. Agata
e Romeo Chef Agata Parisiella and her husband, host and sommelier Roemo Caraccio, have converted a trattoria into an attractive and comfortable spot for Agata's creative dishes. You'll marvel at her cod salad with sweet peppers and olives, eels with pine nuts and raisins, such pastas as risotto with nettles and porcini and rabbit with eggplant purée. The wine list lives up to this breathtaking cuisine. Il
San Pietrino Pasola Di Mauro, known as the best "mama chef" in Rome, inspired her son, Armando, to open this terrific, new, rustic-yet-elegant jewel. The cuisine is classic with modern touches, and includes such stellar dishes as gnocchi with porcini and baby clams, and leg of lamb roasted with artichokes and herbs. La
Rosetta Since this is one of Rome's most popular restaurants (for good reason) don't even think about arriving without a reservation. The seafood is the freshest in Rome—you'll be confronted with a tempting display of the daily selection when you walk in. Among our favorite dishes: spaghetti with scampi and zucchini blossoms, gilled turbot with oysters, red mullet perfumed with sage or striped bass baked in a salt crust. HOTELS:
Hotel
Eden De
La Ville Inter-Continental Rome This
excellent hotel, just steps from the top of the Spanish Steps,
features 192 spacious guest rooms, a handsome bar and restaurant
and lovely gardens. As an Inter-Continental catering to business
travelers, the De La Ville features several meeting rooms
and a business center. This recently renovated hotel complex stretches out over 14 acres atop Monte Mario, and offers a stupendous view of Rome. It boasts the city's largest conference and banquet facilities, a business center, an executive club floor with a private concierge and secretarial services, clay tennis courts, a swimming pool, a health-and-fitness center with a turkish bath and jogging paths. Its rooftop restaurant, La Pergola (see above) is superb. (Updated: 06/23/08 HC) |
Top New Year's Eve Spots
Ring in the New Year at one of these festive locations around the world. Sip on a flute of champagne in the City of Lights, party the night away on three different occasions in Bangkok, or engage in a Sin City celebration in the good 'ole U.S. of A.