Thursday, February 17, 2011

Dream for Two

Solo per Due or "Just for Two" is the smallest restaurant in the world and probably the most charming. "There are no queues, no turns, and no waiting; all our attention is dedicated to the two people who have booked."

The building which houses the intimate restaurant dates from the nineteenth century and is situated within the remains of an ancient Roman villa. Here the Latin poet HORACE resided for a time. The villa has beautiful mosaic floors and nearby is the Bandusia Fountain which Horace immortalized in a poem.

The restaurant is also surrounded by a garden of exotic palms and native flowering shrubs.

"When you are ready for your meal, the lights go down, the atmosphere takes on a magical quality, and you can summon the waiter whenever you like with a silver bell."

The Italian cuisine includes fresh ingredients from the area including "gastronomic specialities such as extra virgin olive oil, sheep's cheese, a wide variety of wild mushrooms, wild fruits, homemade pasta and bread, exquisite meat, and local sweets and cakes accompanied by wines from only the best cellars."

Perusing the Solo per Due website is an enchantment.