Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Chef & Hotel Profile

A delightful surprise while visiting Rome during my birthday week was a special lunch with two dear Roman friends who whisked me away to the top of the Atlante Star Hotel to an amazing restaurant-bar, located walking distance from the Vatican in Prati district. The 360-degree view from the rooftop of Terrazza Les Etoiles was spectacular, on the left was the exquisite Vatican and, on the right, the Castle Sant’ Angelo.

The staff at Les etoiles were charming; Italian’s are always charming and never rushed us as we sipped wine and perused the menu for something we liked. This dream dining venue is owned and operated by the second generation Menucci family, brothers Federico, Roberto and Francesca. This luncheon was one of those special situations you wanted to continue in forever, an unexpected but longed-for reunion that could only be too short no matter what the circumstances.

The Gastronome-Pranzo (lunch) menu items I selected were

carpaccio di spagnola, a sea bass carpaccio on crunchy salad with mango sauce that was simply outstanding, and my entrée selection was carbonara pasta with prawns, and cheese that was rich and so delicious.

Grazie Miele to Chef William Anzidi for this epicurean adventure. The Tiramisu and dark chocolate dessert is a specialty at this venue in heaven, and the wine list was impressively overflowing with fine French, and Italian wine options from every region in Italy.

It was so comforting savoring this fine Italian lunch as we talked of so many happy occasions, and shared memories, and details on many new experiences we had been going through, how Covid played a serious role in people’s lives in Italy, as well as in America, and how good it was to know we had all survived it, and we were grateful we were all alive and striving once again to be our best version.

Too quickly I had to leave to catch my Viking bus back to the Jupiter ship I was cruising on through ten cities in the

Mediterranean, but before leaving we climbed up to the very top level of Les Etoiles to take photos on the rooftop terrazza, which is seen above in the photo. I loved the food, hospitality and divine location of this beautiful eatery, which occupied three floors of the hotel with a rooftop area surrounded by colorful flowers, and the chairs were covered with attractive white fabric. The enclosed restaurant-bar, surrounded with an open patio view on the 7th floor level offered endless views of Rome, and the magical formal dining room on the 6th floor level, featured a baby grand piano that I assumed was used to create magic and romantic moments during dinner.

Reuniting with people you love as you are traveling is so precious and this was an amazing three hours for me in Rome with dear friends. I hope to return again soon to this chic and cozy restaurant bar, where everywhere you look your eyes are filled with the beauty and history of Rome. I am grateful for this unexpected and delightful time with friends, but I pray I may spend more time with them on my next visit.

I love Rome and truly enjoyed sharing this delightful experience with you my readers, and hope you might make a reservation at Terrazza Les Etoiles on your next visit to Rome, where you will savor the finest Italian cuisine, and hopefully experience your own Roman Holiday. Ciao Bella!

Contact +39.06686386 or info@terrazzalesitoiles.com to make a reservation. Restaurant hours are Mon-Sun 12.30-15.00 Rooftop Bar Mon – Sun 10.00 – 24.00. Atlante Star Hotel.