Looking for a specific restaurant in Rome

[Sierraslim]

About 12 years ago, I won a Mediterranean cruise and went, among other places, to Rome. While there we were treated to a special (free) meal in a restaurant that I never managed to get the name of. The food and ambience were so spectacular I remember it still, and am dying to go again. The restaurant was a semi-long bus ride from downtown Rome, perhaps 30-45 minutes or more. What may make it possible for you to recognize the restaurant was the unique approach/entry. Our bus parked in a huge parking lot, but we then walked for what seemed like blocks through lovely rose gardens. At the end of those was an arched rose-trellis tunnel, which when strolled through ended in a courtyard with fountains and a huge, barn-like building -- the restaurant. Inside, it was all one enormous room, with long picnic-type tables and a strolling accordion player and singer performing. The views from the windows were of the rose gardens and fountains. The food was sensational. It was a magical place, and I would love to go there again on our next trip.

It was my first cruise and my first trip overseas, so I was just blindly following the cruise-assigned tour guide. I would know better now, but really need help finding this restaurant. Any suggestions to what it might be would be very appreciated!!

Thanks!

[vinoroma]

hmm, fountains and gardens; maybe Tivoli? I don't know the specific restaurant and hope you will get some help here, but I have another suggestion: If you were taken there by a bus from the cruise line, most probably it was a place that only caters to tourist groups and the food was not really that good in reality. I understand for you it was magical because of the reasons you wrote, so why don't you leave that first impression live like that instead of going there again and being disappointed?

[jen kalb]

I surfed around and think it could well be this place - though it doesnt look like they are quite as rustic any more. A large barn-like room, rose gardens, fountains, ....http://www.abcroma.com/Ristoranti/Ris...

[vinoroma]

Spaghetti alla Gengis Khan - lol! Would be curious to hear if this is the place!

[jen kalb]

I liked the pictures on the website of the place in earlier times - seems like people have been driving out of Rome for many years to eat there.

[Sierraslim]

I looked at their web site, and I'm almost POSITIVE that's it!! It's exactly as I remembered it, though a little updated in table linens, lol, and I couldn't see the outside. But it looks just like my memories. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!