Inside the "smallest restaurant in the world" for two guests

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CNN - Restaurant Solo Per Due

** "Only for Two" in Italian is an unusual place, not only because of its tiny size. This luxurious place offers an exclusive dinner for two that costs over $500. Champagne, the finest wines, and floral decorations are all provided separately, while visitors can enjoy a view of an ancient Roman villa. The owners claim that this is the smallest high cuisine restaurant not only in Italy but in the whole world. An ideal place for a romantic dinner, the restaurant is open year-round for lunch and dinner, but it doesn't have a menu. Food is served according to individual tastes and customer preferences.

A small room of less than500 square feet is part of a20th-century countryside stone mansion located near the village of Vacone, north ofRome. Here there is privacy and secrecy. It's almost like a speakeasy - except that it's widely advertised and reviews are known, and its location is known. Reservations must be made by phone, in the evening, and confirmed10 days before the event. Details of the individually confirmed menu are determined at the confirmation stage.

There are strict rules. Visitors cannot come in to look around before making a reservation. Dinner cannot be cancelled at the last minute. Guests must arrive at the specified time, agreed upon by the owners, who prepare and serve exquisite food. Arrival time is very important. Guests need to call30 minutes before arriving and never come too early, otherwise they will see 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 - lunch for two costs500 euros, or537 dollars.

** *Owners, a team of three local entrepreneurs in the realm of exquisite cuisine, who have been managing Solo Per Due for33 years, refuse to reveal their names unless you have made a dinner reservation. They claim that this guarantees full confidentiality and enhances the mysterious allure of the place. "This is not a restaurant - we offer a unique, intimate experience that has been the foundation of our reputation for decades. Therefore, it's not about us or who we are - we remain in the shadows. It's all about the guests," says one of the owners, who signs as "Mr. Remo." "People who come here are not just customers. They are guests we care for. We pamper them and ensure that this special moment is exactly as they desire.

The waiter is always on site.

The waiter is always present but remains invisible until called upon, so as not to seem intrusive. Guests can summon him with a small silver bell.

The place is amazing. Solo Per Due is surrounded by an exotic garden with various types of palm trees from around the world, overlooking an archaeological site. The mansion is located on a property that features the ruins of an ancient Roman villa, which guests can visit. With vibrant mosaic floors and stone columns, it is said to have belonged to the ancient poet Horace. On the evening of the dinner, the entrance and garden are adorned with burning candles to welcome guests.

“As soon as the booking is confirmed, our guests will choose the exact multi-course menu, whether it’s fish or meat, dessert, wine, background music, and floral decorations. We prepare only seasonal Italian food on-site, paired with top-quality wine,” says Remo. He emphasizes two golden rules: never cancel at the last minute and never arrive before the scheduled time. “We also take care of the two names that need to be written on the heart-shaped cake, a special phrase to be written on the card that will be attached to the flowers, and the background music chosen by the guests,” adds Remo.

Luxurious interior and additional services

Solo Per Due was born out of necessity and anger. Remo explains that the idea of creating a quiet, exclusive hideaway for two came about when he became frustrated with overcrowded restaurants, long waits, and the way staff treated customers, often seating them at tables in less desirable locations. "It became unbearable; every time my son and I went out for dinner, we were always given a small table next to the restroom or the kitchen, with unpleasant smells – it was the worst table. And that was because there were just two of us," he says. Thus, he came up with the idea of creating a special experience where a couple could be pampered and served like royalty for a unique dining experience.

This is not a place for business meetings. Couples and spouses come here to celebrate anniversaries, birthdays, and marriage proposals. The atmosphere is magical and enchanting. Candlelit dinners, the lights are off. Italian cuisine with elements of modern cooking. Among the luxurious dishes ordered by clients are heart-shaped ravioli, oysters, scampi, meat carpaccio, and tiramisu with little chocolate hearts.

The romantic dining room interior creates a glamorous atmosphere with a classic red-Pompeian palette, a red and gold tablecloth, and silver cutlery. It is richly furnished with old engravings, busts of historical figures, wine bottles, mirrors in luxurious gold frames, and flowers everywhere: on the chairs, furniture, and table. There is a piano and a natural stone fireplace from floor to ceiling, antique furniture, and two soft red sofas where one can relax before dinner with an aperitif or after dinner with a night cocktail. In the summer, guests can choose to dine outdoors, enjoying the view of olive groves and valleys lined with vineyards, sitting under a grapevine pergola.

There are also luxurious additional services available. A personal driver can be arranged for guests upon request, and a fireworks display can be organized in the garden. For those looking to spend the night, the owners will be happy to recommend nearby accommodation options. On TripAdvisor, enthusiastic guests describe Solo Per Due as a "scene from a movie," an "extreme hedonistic 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.