Hi everyone

I am taking my boyfriend away for his birthday to rome and want his day to be extra special. Breakfast will be mimosa and birthday cake on the balcony of our apartment ( hopefully cake will still be in one peice after air travel- although only rome london so fingers crossed ;-) )

We are then getting a cab to the colosseum for a private tour for two hours ( the biggest thing on my boyfriends wich list ) althoug he does not know about the private guide... shhhhh

From there we will go to the hotel gladiatori for a pre lunch cocktail and photo oppertunity the rooftop terrace view looks amazing.

Here is where i need all of your expert opinions and advice - Lunch and dinner

Thought the view from terrace restaurant of hotel raphael looks lovely tasting menu is 42.00euros day and 80.00 in the evening.

I really cant decide it it will be better to go there for lunch and then find a romantic backstreet or garden lit restaurant for dinner - reccommendations please ( some have mentioned the hassler but i fear this could be out of my price range. ( 150 -200euros top dinner) or vice versa

either way i need help with suggestions and pricing - has anyone been to the hotel raphael?

Thank you all so much.

It may seem silly to some but i want to make this so special

I toured the Hotel Raphael last winter...I did not see the rooftop terrace, though. Do you absolutely need a view?

I thought the view would be lovely - but we could always have apperitivo and then go on for dinner if there is somewhere that poeple rave over - i just want it to be very romantic with great food and good wine

Thanks

can anyone else please help.

Thank you
Lorraine

Pleas anone - help would be really appreciated.... Thank you

Do a search on this Fodor's site for "Franco's Favourite ... Roman Food and Restaurants". He gives a pretty in depth description of his choices in Rome.
(I would have done a tiny url link but the server is down just now.)

Dinner on the terrace at Camponeschi is candle lit and wonderful. It is on Piazza Farnese and the phone # is 06 687 4927. Their fish is great as is the lobster, and everything else we have ever had there. We wil be dining there again this summer. Hope you enjoy your evening.

I fly to Rome everyweek for work and have had friends have drinks on top of the Hotel Raphael. They thought it was wonderful! From the outside,it looks very romantic-I have eaten at one of the restaurants across the street and loved the atmosphere. I say at least go for a drink and the view?