Ristorante Mirabelle in Hotel Splendide Royal
- May 22, 2007
- Rated 5 of 5 by
artslover from Calgary, Alberta
This is a Michelin starred restaurant which describes its cuisine as Italian Mediterranean, but it has a very French feel to it. Roccoco old fashioned-style decor and very formal service like North American restaurants, rather than the more casual Italian style.
The restaurant is located on the seventh floor of Hotel Splendide Royal near the Parco Borghese. Thus there is an enjoyable view from the windows.
As we perused our menus, we were brought glasses of prosecco, a three tiered tray of amuse bouches and a basket of crispy cold crudites to nibble. For antipasti, we had eggplant and zucchini stuffed with ricotta and basil; onion soup and tuna tartare. Secondi: lamb two ways -- loin and lamb leg stuffed with sweetbreads and peas, spinach, onion, potato and artichoke; pigeon with spinach and carrot wrapped in pastry; rack of lamb. I think we had a bottle of Brunello, definitely a vino rosso in any case. Dolci: Seventh heaven which is a slice of alcohol-soaked chocolate cake topped with chocolate mousse and covered with chocolate, gold leaf and chocolate wafers; apple crumble with vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and chocolate wafers; chocolate ice cream with berries. Each of us had a different grappa as recommended by the sommelier.
We really liked our food here, much more formal ambience than most places, but very friendly staff. Gorgeous washrooms spoiled when I went to them by someone sneaking a cigarette. Expensive, as you would expect but wonderful for a special occasion.
From journal A Week in Rome to Wine, Dine, and Tour