Mirabelle Restaurant at the Hotel Splendide Royal promises a unique dining experience and our recent evening there far exceeded our expectations. My husband and I felt like VIP guests from the first moment we were personally escorted from the hotel reception to the restaurant. The uber-elegant dining room of Mirabelle opens out onto a dream terrace, which from the seventh floor shows off all of Rome from Via Veneto to St. Peter’s dome.

Manager Luca Costanzi spoilt us with the corner table on the terrace, with a magnificent flower arrangement and an incredible view of the sparkling city lights. We had bubbles in hand before we even sat down to our romantic evening. Then I threw a spanner into the works by mentioning that I don’t eat meat! That is how I know that the entire menu that evening was personally prepared for us – as each of the five courses (before dessert) were exquisite seafood creations by Executive Chef Stefano Marzetti.  

We enjoyed a thorough tour with Sommelier Luigi Michele of the largest and only seventh floor wine cellar in Rome, which boasts more than 750 wine and champagne bottles. Naturally, I was focused on the latter. Then the menu began - think oysters and rich burrata cheese cut with crisp Sauvignon from just north of Venice. Our full menu, which I’m excited to say became the official 2019 Valentine’s Day menu, is pictured below. The shrimp cocktail was simply sublime, matched with “Corte del Lupo Bianco” (Chardonnay 80%, Pinot Bianco 20%), by Ca’ del Bosco, one of my favorite labels from Italy’s Franciacorta region. At half-time Chef Marzetti came to check on us personally and in response to all our oohs and aahs, he humbly showered praise on his team. Our next two dishes were matched with a Rosé and Pinot Nero respectively to keep both my husband and I very content.

By then I was ready for a hit of chocolate and the explosion of passionfruit in Pastry Chef Sebastian Delandre’s heart-shaped chocolate soufflé was perfect. It was an all-night party for my eyes, taste buds and stomach! In short, I cannot think of anywhere better in Rome to celebrate a special occasion and I am excitedly looking forward to the summer when the huge French windows open to turn the terrace into an open-air roof garden. We’re also looking forward to some more quality time in Mirabelle’s wine cellar!

Open daily: 12.30 – 15.00, 19.30 – 23.00

Address: Hotel Splendide Royal, Via di Porta Pinciana 14. Tel: 06 4216 8838. Email: info@mirabelle.it

Note: My husband and I were guests of Mirabelle on behalf of the Roberto Naldi Collection but every word is my own opinion. Event stylist: Yulia Nicotra. Photographer: Pelykh Denis.