Inside the world's smallest restaurant for two guests.

"Editor's note: Subscribe to CNN Travel's Unlocking Italy newsletter to receive exclusive information about Italy's most popular destinations and lesser-known regions for planning your perfect trip."

In addition, we will select movies, book lists, and recipes from Stanley Tucci for you.

CNN - In the restaurant Solo Per Due - "Only for two"

In Italian style, there are fireworks, candles burning in the open air, a silver bell to call the waiter, and one elegantly set table for two. Solo Per Due is not an ordinary restaurant, and not only because of its tiny size. It's an extravagant place where an exclusive dinner for two costs over $500. Champagne, the best wines, and flower decorations are extra, and visitors can enjoy the view of an ancient Roman villa. The owners claim that it's the smallest luxury establishment not only in Italy but also in the world.

Perfect for romantic dinners

The restaurant is open year-round for lunch and dinner, but it does not have a menu. The food served is created according to the taste and wishes of the customers. The small dining room, less than500 square feet, is part of a rural20th century stone mansion located near the village of Vacone, north ofRome. Here, privacy, secrecy, and confidentiality reign. It's almost like a secret bar from the days of Prohibition, except that it's widely advertised and discussed, and its location is known.

Strict rules apply

Visitors can't get a peek inside without making a reservation in advance. Dinner cannot be canceled at the last minute. Guests need to arrive at a specific time agreed upon with the owners, who prepare and serve a gourmet meal. Arrival time is of key importance. Guests must call 30 minutes prior to arrival and never arrive too early or they will find a closed entrance and no one to greet them. The restaurant is booked months in advance due to its small size. The price is not for everyone - dinner for two costs 500 euros, or $537.

Hospitality of the owners

The owners, a team of three local fine dining entrepreneurs who have been running Solo Per Due for 33 years, refuse to reveal their names until you've booked dinner. They say this ensures complete privacy and increases the mysterious charm of the place.

Terrific location

Solo Per Due is surrounded by an exotic garden with different types of palm trees from all over the world, overlooking an archaeological site. The mansion is located on an estate with the ruins of an ancient Roman villa that guests can visit. With its brightly colored mosaic floors and stone columns, it is said to have belonged to the ancient poet Horace. On the day of dinner, the entrance and garden are decorated with burning candles to welcome guests.

Romantic atmosphere and gourmet food

"Once the reservation is confirmed, our guests will choose the exact multi-course menu, whether it be fish or meat, dessert, wines, background music and floral centerpieces. We only prepare seasonal Italian food paired with premium wine," says Remo. He tends to emphasize two golden rules: never cancel at the last minute and never arrive before the appointed time. "We also take care of the two names to be written on the heart-shaped cake, the special phrase to be written on the card to the flowers, and the background music chosen by the guests," Remo adds.

Services and additional amenities

There is a piano and a stone fireplace that stretches from floor to ceiling, along with two luxurious red sofas where you can relax before dinner with an aperitif or after it with a night cocktail. In the summer, guests can choose to dine outdoors and enjoy the views of olive groves and vineyards under a grapevine gazebo. Luxurious additional services are also offered here. Upon request, a personal driver can be arranged to pick up guests, and a fireworks display can be organized in the garden. For those who wish to stay overnight, the owners will be happy to recommend nearby accommodation options.

Guest reviews

On TripAdvisor, enthusiastic guests describe Solo Per Due as a "scene from a movie," an "extreme epicurean experience," and a "surreal fairy-tale atmosphere." However, one dissatisfied customer writes that it is a "tourist trap" of low quality and not worth the money.