Unique Al Palatino Garden Restaurant of Kolbe Hotel in Rome, Italy

Posted by Rowena Dumlao - Giardina 3/16/2019

Unique Al Palatino Garden Restaurant of Kolbe Hotel in Rome, Italy

Old Roman structures can give unexpected labyrinths of rooms and gardens in their internal spaces. Kolbe Hotel is among one of them. As you walk through its front door and cross the lobby, another door opens to a peaceful oasis. A garden with centuries-old olive trees, citrus trees and a manicured lawn that surround Unique Al Palatino Garden Restaurant greets its guests. In the bustling city of Rome, it's something that's quite unexpected.

Unique Al Palatino Garden Restaurant

Unique Al Palatino Garden Restaurant is the gourmet restaurant of Kolbe Hotel that's open to everyone who wish to experience traditional Italian cuisine in a contemporary way. Heading the kitchen is Chef Ciro Tiano, born in the Italian region of Campania and with decades of experience in gastronomy around the world. Starting his career at an early age, his past experiences took him to some important kitchens like the one of Palazzo Montecitorio in Rome, the seat of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, serving influential politicians and personalities of diverse sectors, as well as Favola Restaurant of 5-star Meridien d'Oran in Algeria. He likes to define his cuisine as authentic, combining classic Italian recipes with modern approach, refined manner and aesthetics. In addition to the classic recipes, he also offers a stimulating international menu which was influenced by his past travels. In his kitchen, he uses local products and gives maximum attention to the health aspect and balanced appearance of the dishes where fish, meat and vegetable proposals are always present.

The menu is has an ample selection of proposals from appetizers (€11 to €16), first courses of pasta and risotto (€10 to €15), second courses of meat and fish (€20 to €26) and desserts (€7). There are also menu proposals for children. Aperitif menus are also available between 18:00 to 20:00 at around €12. During the warmer months, the rooftop terrace which presents an incredible view of the Palatine Hill ancient Roman ruins will be open for cocktails and dining.

Kolbe Hotel

The restaurant is housed inside 4-star Kolbe Hotel, a 400-year old historical structure. It The first stone of the original nucleus was laid in 1625 then developed in different phases over a long period. In 1912 it became a monastery, the Collegio Serafico di San Francesco dei Frati Minori then converted into a hostel for traveling monks in the 1960s. In 2007, the structure went through a thorough refurbishment that gave the hotel its current appearance with 72 rooms and suites while still retaining its original features and a small portion that still remains a monastery until this very day.

The hotel was named after Father Maximilian Kolbe, a priest from Poland who lived and studied in the palace when it was the International College of the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. When he returned to Poland, he was deported to Auschwitz during the Nazi invasion and during the imprisonment he gave up his own life in exchange for that of another prisoner who had been condemned to death. For this heroic act, he was awarded sainthood in 1982 by Pope John Paul II. A chapel and a small museum in the Hotel are dedicated to Father Kolbe.

Accessibility of the Ancient Roman Monuments

One of the best things about Kolbe Hotel is its outstanding location. Its proximity to the major historical sites is unbeatable. A short walk from the hotel takes you the important sites like the Imperial Roman Forum, Campidoglio, Colosseum, Circus Maximus, and Piazza Venezia.