In a sense, Mark, I think you are reading it correctly. However, I do not eat in top dining establishments in Rome, so I won't say that unequivocally there are no worthy restaurants with views. I am almost certain that there are plenty with "atmosphere."

I think I would consider Glass. I also think I would go to another forum, with a larger percentage of fine dining lovers, such as the Italy forum at chowhound.com.

What about the restaurant at the Hilton? I think it is supposed to be top notch, and since it is in God knows where, it probably has a view.

I would research both those.

Villa San Michele in Fiesole, Florence, is I think what jamikins was referring to. I used to hear that it was top notch dining. I think you'd have to do a little research to confirm that it still is.

Of course there are restaurants with views. But Mark, you seemed to also be asking for the best food and wines, along with the views, making it a little harder to zero in on a choice.

denisea of this forum has, I think, eaten at the Hilton restaurant I referred to above. I'm sure others have too. Keep looking and you'll find the right place.

In 2008 we celebrated our anniversary with extended family at Casina Valadier. The views from the terrace were wonderful and the food very, very good. Obviously that was 6 years ago so it might be worth checking out more recent reviews but from our experience we would highly recommend it.

Thanks all. Like anything else, it's all rather subjective (both the view and the good food). However, that's particularly true of the food aspect. So, when I say "great food", I would suspect that my idea of that might well line up with someone else's "not bad" definition. So, that's why I put some sort of budget on this.

Generally, I am pretty sure a budget of $400 should get me a meal I'd consider pretty special. Not assured, of course, but it's just a guideline. I know I can pay a LOT more than that in Rome for the meal, but that's around my ball park (with the qualifier that if something came along that really blew my socks off I'd probably consider that a "soft" budget!).

Anyway, I don't need the "best" food and wine (and we are not big wine drinkers, by the way). But I want something special.

I'm not helping, am I? :)

Mark

Mark,

You are helping just fine. It is your dinner, not ours. You are right to suspect that if you go to "foodie" centric websites you will be -- ahem, urged (if not bullied) into dining at fancy food places without views that are considered "worthy" when what you really want is the whole gestalt of a great evening in Rome, surrounded by the great ambience in Rome.

I don-t think Glass is highly valued at Chowhound overall, and as a lover a great classic Roman food, I personally wouldn't go there, and I especially wouldn't go there for a great intimate evening with my beloved in the midst of all that Rome has to offer.

Your budget is fine for a lovely meal and a beautiful setting and a special night out in Rome. In the end, I think you will need to narrow it down as to whether you want a view of St Peter's, a hidden piazza (try Pierluigi if you like seafood), a fragrant roof top garden, or being in sight of ancient monuments as the lovely backdrop for your special meal.

Come to think of it, if you are in Rome for more than one night, you could shoot for them all!

Even though it is hard to tell from reading reviews whether people commenting on the food share your palate, I think I would definitely try to choose a place where the service is gracious to tourists. Super gracious. There is nothing worse than having a surly waiter or snooty owner spoil what should have been a special night out. Many, many lovely Roman restaurants for special occasions have excellent professional service, so don't settle for less or listen to people who try to tell you should put up with brusque or rude service because "that's Rome." Not true.

Can only add to the sage advice, above, by mentioning that my sister, along with her husband who is very well traveled, had excellent comments about their dinner at Pierluigi two weeks ago.

10 minutes outside Florence…It still gets mixed reviews, but has great views.

http://www.ristoranteomero.it/

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restauran...e_Tuscany.html

((H))

OMG, this thread is too funny.

If I'm entertaining a friend in Rome who loves great romance and theater (I have a few), we always head to Heinz Beck at La Pergola. Not only will you get the most incredible view (looking down on this great city and its many lighted monuments), you'll be treated to Rome's only 3-Michelin star <i>cucina</i> celebration, a meal you will never forget. Certainly, the most romantic room in all of Rome.

However, you'll need more than $400.

NYC: what if they don't drink, or just have a small amount on reasonable wine? Can they do La Pergola for $400?

That's the restaurant at the Hilton, right?

ekscrunchy,

Your brother in law is not only well traveled, he is one of the most prized dining companions in history. Glad he enjoyed Pierluigi. They treat everyone very well there.

tuscanlifeedit

The answer is no, but the real question is: Do you think NYCFoodSnob knows what romance is?

markwell12,

Think twice before falling for the snob experience of Michelin stars in Italy. They are generally wall-to-wall with tourists , the chefs are not Italian, and Michelin type meals can be an ordeal (and not just on the wallet). Seriously, you can do better.

<i><font color=#555555>"Do you think NYCFoodSnob knows what romance is? "</font></i>

I don't know anything about ordinary romance. My expertise is in extraordinary romance.

La Pergola is romantic with beautiful view of the Vatican. We enjoyed it....great service and the food was very good. For an overall experience, La Pergola is what you are looking for. The hotel is gorgeous, as well and you could enjoy a nightcap on the terrace of the hotel bar.

Someone already suggested it, but I will second a table on the terrace at Jardin de Russie.

La Terrazza Dell'Eden

Fabulous view, immaculate service and wonderful food

http://www.dorchestercollection.com/...staurants-bars

Sandra: Will pass on your comments. To celebrate his 80th (!!) they traveled from Catania to Siracusa to Taormina and then Lipari, Panarea (did not like at all and departed early) and Salina. Rented car in Milazzo and drove up the coast, stopping for lunch at Vibo Marina before arriving at Maratea where they spent three nights. Then on to Paestum and Ravello before heading to Rome.

They had three nights in Rome; stayed at De Russie. Did not like Ad Hoc (choice of friend from France); liked PierLuigi very much, and also liked Settimo all' Arancio. Working on memoir to be published by Farrar, Straus.

We are boycotting the Dorchester Collection (owned by the homophobic and hate whore Sultan of Brunei), Miss Thing!

Get with the program.

Plus, the Eden is a horrid location off
of the very faded Via Veneto.

Anita Ekberg drowned in THAT fountain a long time ago.

Thin

pepper dear boycott all you want.

Tu bois de trop.

Tu es fou!

Fou!

Thin