Perched atop the verdant hill of Monte Mario,
the Rome Cavalieri, inaugurated in 1963, offers a panoramic view of the Eternal
City. The restaurant La Pergola, located at the pinnacle of this iconic
establishment, is distinguished by its three Michelin stars, a rarity in Rome.
From the restaurant, the entire city unfolds
before us. To the east, the first rays of sunlight illuminate the domes and
bell towers emerging from a sea of red-tiled roofs, with the green Apennines as
a backdrop. To the south, the historic heart reveals itself with the imposing
silhouette of the Colosseum and the gardens of Villa Borghese. To the west, the
view is dominated by the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, where the sun sets
in a golden glow. Finally, to the north, the wooded hills of Monte Mario offer
a refreshing contrast to the bustling city.
This is not an ordinary setting; it is almost
surreal, like a postcard of Rome. Yet, we are not in a postcard; we are just
above the city, or rather, we weren’t there yet…. We wanted to invite the
essence of Rome inside the restaurant, to offer diners a culinary experience
enhanced by an uninterrupted view of the city, where the tangible and
intangible blend in a unique place.
