Ivy S.
Yelp
GLOBE & GLASS Review: The Court at Palazzo Manfredi, Rome
Rated by Ivy & Gigi
Date: March 10, 2025
Rating: One Glass ("Worth a Visit--If You're Nearby")
When Gigi and I arrived at The Court at Palazzo Manfredi, right on time for our reservation, we didn't exactly get the Roman welcome we'd envisioned. Ten minutes loitering on the cobblestones--dressed to the nines, naturally--felt more like a stamina test than a luxe prelude. Still, the promise of that Colosseum view kept us from storming the gates.
Vibe & Aesthetic: Once seated (eventually), the reward landed. The terrace stares straight at the Colosseum, lit up like a timeless diva against Rome's afternoon sky. Sleek tables--well, not ours, a pint-sized affair barely bigger than an open school binder--soft lighting, lounge vibes, and a chic, well stocked bar whispered "luxe." It's Italian elegance with a modern edge, a spot where you sip and channel Fellini, sans paparazzi.
Service Swagger: Here's where the chariot stalls. Ten minutes to be noticed at our table, then a 25-minute wait for drinks--were they chiseling the ice from the Colosseum? Complimentary olives, nuts, or whatever small bites blessed every other guest only hit us after a nudge, arriving 35 minutes in, post-meal like a belated apology. Silverware? Two chopsticks, one napkin--we tore it in two, rationing like castaways while the staff perfected their "ignore-the-couple-in-the-corner" routine and avoided eye contact at all costs. No whisper of a second round. Swagger? More like hospitality with a hearty limp.
Drink Excellence: The cocktails, though, nearly salvaged it. The "Pornstar Martini" flickered in with a fiery garnish, a mini Roman torch, while "The Court's Signature" unfurled from a glass dome, smoky and seductive. Skill and passion? Check. Taste and punch? Oh yes. Timing? A Roman odyssey too slow.
Wow Factor: That view--mamma mia, it's a stunner. Sipping with the Colosseum as your backdrop feels like a privilege, even with a price tag that doesn't blink. The smoke-and-fire drink show added flair, but the wow faded when round two stayed off the menu. Upselling seems to be a dirty word in these quarters.
Replay Value: Would we return? Perhaps, for the view and drinks--if we pack snacks and a timer. Brilliance glimmers here, but consistency's playing hide-and-seek. It's for the patient or the pre-buzzed.
The Verdict: The Court at Palazzo Manfredi nabs "One Glass". The Colosseum vista and cocktails make it worth a stop if you're nearby, but the service stumbles hard--shocking, since Italy invented hospitality, and we've been spoiled by Italian finesse elsewhere. Ivy's still swooning over that view; Gigi's plotting to nab the smoke dome and bolt.
Cheers (Olives Optional),
Ivy & Gigi, GLOBE & GLASS
Sip with us at GlobeSippers: @GlobeAndGlass