Italy: Rome: Where to Eat: Big Night Out: La Pergola

La Pergola

In a city that is mostly about casual, trattoria-type dining, the three-Michelin-star restaurant—the city’s only such honored restaurant–stands out. Considered one of the great chefs not only in Italy but in all of Europe, Heinz Beck prepares exquisite food that is made all the more pleasurable by the views from the top of Monte Mario overlooking all of Rome. This is the place to splurge for a special meal. The menu, which changes with the season, combines Mediterranean ingredients with Beck’s creative spin. Some recent meals included squid ravioli with pineapple, licorice consommé with sweet pepper ravioli and salmon medallions, and spaghetti with artichokes, sweetbread and wild mint. Reservations are recommended one or two months in advance.