In Rome there is a terrace in the heart of the city where aperitifs and dinners last all year round

Rome is full of terraces, but not all of them truly manage to be enjoyable in every season. Hi-Res, the restaurant on the top floor of the Hotel Valadier, is one of them. Located behind Piazza del Popolo, in one of the city's most touristy areas, it has also managed to become a little refuge for Romans: a place where you can eat well, be comfortable, and return even in the winter. This is thanks to the large windows that let in light and open completely in the warmer months, but also to a refined yet unpretentious atmosphere and a cuisine that strikes the perfect balance between solidity and lightness.

The restaurant recently underwent a makeover, warming the tones and materials without altering its identity. The result is a more welcoming, contemporary, and relaxed space, where even non-hotel guests feel at ease. The service is a strong point: young people, dressed in t-shirts and sneakers, take care of everything and leave nothing to chance. Hi-Res seats about 80 people and is open from aperitivo until late, with the cocktail bar opening at 5:00 PM and the kitchen open for dinner at 7:30 PM.

What to eat at Hi-Res in Rome

In the kitchen is Aldo Baglioni, longtime executive chef of the entire hotel (the hotel also boasts Brillo on the ground floor, Valentyne on the first floor, and the Moon Asian Bar on the other terrace), who also oversees the Hi-Res menu. His cuisine is distinctively Italian, drawing on tradition and refining it, reimagining it with a focus on technique. The dishes are understandable, expertly crafted, and never pretentious.

Among the revisited Roman classics, there are the battered cod with chicory cream and pil pil (25 euros), the carbonara-style cappellaccio stuffed with pecorino and guanciale with carbocrema (much requested by foreigners, the chef tells us, but also appreciated by the Romans, 30 euros), and the chicken with peppers (38), reinterpreted as a roulade but faithful in flavour. Then come the tributes to the rest of Italy: from the parmigiana in fiore (24) to the swordfish roll with Trapani-style pesto (33), up to the delicious spaghetti with sea urchins and buffalo mozzarella butter with citrus fruits (28), the fettuccine with porcini mushrooms and truffle (34) and the beef carpaccio, mushrooms and truffle (28).

The search for raw materials and the connection with the territory

There's also a whole host of off-the-menu dishes created based on the availability of raw materials, thanks to the great synergy between the chef and Emiliano Castroni, the restaurant's purchasing and F&B manager and representative of a family that, as his surname suggests, certainly needs no introduction in the world of gastronomy. "Our dialogue," Emiliano explains, "stems from a shared vision of food as an expression of culture and identity, not simply nourishment. My job is to create the conditions for his cuisine to best express the truth of the territory." For Hi-Res, "the focus is on the radical quality of the raw materials, respect for seasonality, and a direct connection with small producers, farmers, breeders, and selectors who share our philosophy."

Food, wines and cocktails from Hi-Res in Rome

Returning to the menu, a separate section is dedicated to raw seafood, with a standalone menu "that's perfect for both an aperitif and a dinner appetizer," adds the chef: oysters, shrimp, tartare, and well-crafted platters that entice you to order. And then there's the recently revamped wine list, extensive but not overly complex: over 300 labels chosen to complement the cuisine. "We've included wines from small, local producers, wines with uncompromising character, wines united by a common thread that becomes a constant throughout the flavors: acidity, savory flavors, and drinkability," Castroni explains. "We love the wines we sell, and we sell the wines we love. In short, wines for drinkers."

Next to the restaurant, the cocktail bar (open until late) completes the experience, with classic drinks and twists served between the tables or at the bar with a view.

Hi-Res / Hotel Valadier. Via della Fontanella 15, Rome. Tel. 06 3212905. Website.