Elevating Romance in Rome with a Valentine's Dinner at Adelaide (Hotel Vilon) and Don Pasquale (Hotel Maalot)

Valentine’s Day is synonymous with love and what better way to celebrate this special occasion than with a romantic dinner at a couple of charming and intimate restaurants tucked inside two of Rome’s luxurious 5-star hotels? This year, 2024, go for something extraordinary prepared by two celebrated chefs of the capital, with kitchens that are highly recommended by food experts. Chef  Gabriele Muro of Adelaide inside Hotel Vilon and Chef Domenico Boschi of Don Pasquale inside Hotel Maalot have prepared their signature menus that are penetrating with flavors that will undoubtedly make this special night unforgettable.

Adelaide – Hotel Vilon

Address: Via dell’Arancio 69, Rome | Tel: +39 06878187
Centrally-located in a cobblestone side street, Hotel Vilòn is a sophisticated serene hideaway from the humming movements outside its doors. It is housed in the annex of the Palazzo Borghese, a historical 16th century palace belonging to the noble Borghese Family. At Hotel Vilòn, the ambience has aristocracy, enhanced by an elegant cinematic flavor, a noble residence made of sophisticated and eclectic details harmoniously put together by cinematographer Paolo Bonfini. The creative inspiration overlaps different styles of vibrant palettes, marbles, custom-designed furniture and series of large photographs of Massimo Listri. Architect and designer Giampiero Panepinto has created spaces to which he instilled touches of whimsical creativity, of colors and patterns, mixing up references to the decadent 17th century and contemporary period. Needless to say, Hotel Vilòn is the place to see and experience.

The luxurious details of Hotel Vilòn capture the eyes of every guest but Adelaide Restaurant gives another resplendent aspect of the hotel. Tucked at the end of the ground floor of the hotel is Adelaide Restaurant, a very charming novelty of the Roman gastronomy with Chef Gabriele Muro and Pastry Chef Andrea De Benedetto manning the kitchen with their special menu for Valentine’s Day, rich in flavor and colors, starting with a cocktail concocted just for the occasion and accompanied by a live harp music during dinner.

Valentine’s Day Menu | €170.00 per person, drinks excluded

Love Potion
Vodka with marshmallows, Santoni amaro, roses, strawberries and lime
Love at First Sight
Delicious aperitifs
The First Date
The chef’s delicious temptations
I Have No Escape From Love
Almost raw with scampi, celeriac and mandarin
Appearances are Deceiving
“Fake” cod Caprese
In a Sea of Love
Ravioli filled with fish soup, seaweed, tarallo and bottarga
I’ve Got You Hooked
Monkfish, cabbage, potatoes and wasabi
Love is Sharing
Creamy vanilla, chocolate and raspberry textures

Don Pasquale – Hotel Maalot

Address: Via delle Muratte 78, Rome | Tel. +39 06878087
Once the home of Gaetano Donizetti between 1828 to 1837, this place had an enchanting melodious air pervading the walls coming from the mind of one of the most significant Italian opera composers of all-time. Out of all his 75 operatic works, one of his most famous masterpieces is the opera buffa Don Pasquale which has been regarded as the highest point of the opera genre. In honor of the great composer’s masterpiece, the newly-opened restaurant in the same building is named Don Pasquale.

Don Pasquale opens directly from Via delle Muratte, one of the busiest pedestrian roads in the capital with the Trevi Fountain just a few meters away. Reliving the important history of the place, the restaurant was designed in a stylish way but decidedly unconventional. It gives an impression of a theatrical scene with a color palette of contrasting vibrant primary colors: peacock blue and carmine velvet sofas, English green tables, black and red accents. The menu has the overwhelming approach typical of Chef Domenico Boschi who for the occasion has thought of some special dishes to pair with the signature cocktails to sip at the bar which is so welcoming and almost a little “clandestine”!

Valentine’s Day Menu

Starter
Lobster, gazpacho and pink sauce €24 
First
Cacciucco tortelli, seafood and samphire €22 
Linguine, red shrimp and saffron €24 
Second
Turbot, aubergine hummus and chard €32
Dessert
‘Love’ pistachios and raspberry €12
Truly Yours (From the Bar)
Gin, fresh berries, maraschino, violets €25