OCCUPATION: Owner, Suite 19 (Boutique PR Agency)
MY STYLE: I like to keep it simple. My wardrobe consists of many black and white t-shirts, jeans, and a lot of shoes and bags. I add to my jeans collection—full of Diesel, J Brand, Current Elliot, and True Religion—when I travel. My house has a ‘shabby chic’ aesthetic in that I mix vintage with wood and wrought iron. It is romantic but comfortable. I like for each piece to add to the soul of a room, and my favorite colors are white, black, grey, and lavender.
I LOVE ROME BECAUSE: It is a cultural center, with many parks, museums, and theaters, but the mountains, lakes, countryside, and sea are only a short drive away.
Pure Sermoneta
At this “Roman temple of children’s wear” you’ll find designer clothing, accessories, and footwear made for the under-16 set. Thanks to Pure, your kids can sport Gucci in the lunchroom and Moncler on the bunny hill. Other brands include Hogan, Miss Blumarine, Simonetta, and Fay. A true fashion hub, Pure Sermoneta hosts a series of kid-friendly events for Fashion’s Night Out, with some of the proceeds going to children’s charities. “I love going with my daughter,” Eleonora Pratelli says.
Villa Borghese
Cardinal Scipione Borghese commissioned the English-style gardens surrounding his opulent “party villa” in the 1600s. Today, they constitute Rome’s central park, and the perfect setting for more modest gatherings like family picnics or bike tours. The “floating” Ionic temple dedicated to Aesculapius is a must-see. In the warmer month, kids can ride ponies, paddleboats, and even hot air balloons (with some adult supervision, of course), or see a puppet show. To beat the heat altogether, head inside to the Borghese Gallery or the National Etruscan Museum.
Voy
This neo-Mediterranean restaurant near Ponte Milvio is both hip and family-friendly. For lunch, try the buffet or one of the chef’s picks from the ever-changing à la carte menu. Sirloin with Tropea’s onions and red wine is his signature dish. Voy also has a great wine list. Appetizers are served with aperitifs, and sometimes there’s live piano and jazz music at the bar.
Il Vittoriano
This white marble monument, inaugurated 100 years ago to commemorate a unified Italy, is controversial. Those who perceive the boxy structure as ugly and overbearing refer to it as “the typewriter” or “the wedding cake.” Others recognize it as a site of Fascist rallies during Mussolini’s Italy. Still, it remains a popular gathering spot and a symbol of various eras of Italian history. At the base of a statue of King Vittorio Emanuele II, for example, an eternal flame burns to honor an entombed unknown soldier from WII. As of 2007, visitors can ride a glass elevator to the roof for a panoramic view of the city. Inside the main building, the Museum of Italian Reunification houses art exhibits. Works of Van Gogh and Mondrian have been displayed in the past. “We like to book a guide who explains things to the kids,” Eleonora Pratelli says.
Officine Farneto
This multi-faceted work and entertainment complex has retained the industrial aesthetic of the ceramics factory it once was. Every outlet—from the gym to the bar to the rooftop lounge overlooking Monte Mario Park—emphasizes design with an emotional impact. There is also an artistic space that hosts fashion shows, galas, and exhibits such as Gunther von Hagens’ Body Worlds. Office Farneto’s restaurant, Il Bistrot, is a favorite among the power lunch crowd. It also offers a Sunday brunch that’s only €15 for adults and €8 for kids.
Ditta Elvezia Di Nobile Alessandra
Nothing brightens a room quite like a fresh bouquet. Eleonora Pratelli stops at this charming floral workshop, family-run since 1962, for flowers for her home and office. Ditta Elvezia also does custom arrangements for events, and delivers its breathtaking creations throughout Rome and beyond.
Il Gianfornaio
Il Gianfornaio, which boasts one of the most famous wood-fired ovens in Rome, specializes in bread of all kinds, including “The Crocodile,” a specialty sourdough loaf baked with nut husks. The bakery also makes scrumptious treats. Kids—and more parents than would care to admit—line up for the croissants with Nutella! If you want to pass on the desserts, the café is a good place for a quick but healthy lunch. “They have a varied menu—grilled chicken salad with oranges, cous cous with rocket pesto, and of course, pizza!” says Eleonora Pratelli. “I buy some for my kids’ afternoon snacks.”
Marco Gentile
This concept salon offers precision cuts in a lovely, relaxed environment. There’s also a solarium bathed in cool blue light and a makeup bar, not to mention a real bar, in case you want an aperitif with your new look! “I like to sit at the bar and have a drink or a fresh salad while I wait for Anita and Nicola,” Eleonora Pratelli says.
Mondi
For decades, this pasticceria has been offering Romans and travellers a taste of la dolce vita. Lining the shelves are cream-filled fruit tarts, tiramisu, and an assortment of the cookies Italians often bring to dinner parties. Mondi also sells drinks and miniature sandwiches and pizzas, making it an aperitif hotspot. Don’t pass up the delicious homemade gelato. They have flavors you can’t find anywhere else, like rasberry and chocolate, rasberry and Nutella, and chocolate and orange peel. And if you’d prefer a chocolate dipped gelato bar to a scoop, that can be arranged!
Valentino (Rome)
After studying in Paris, Valentino Garavani set up shop in Rome and was soon heralded as a maestro of haute couture. So do as the Romans—and style icons from Elizabeth Taylor to Anne Hathaway—have done, and don some ‘Valentino red’ at the chic flagship store in the Trident shopping area. Mr. Garavani retired to much fanfare in 2008, but the brand’s new chief designers, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Pailo Piccioli, are charging ahead with some more casual designs. Sales of a recently designed lace-trimmed t-shirt went to the Stiller Foundation, which promotes children’s education worldwide. “I brought matching ones for my daughter and myself!” Eleonora Pratelli says.
Paneolio
North of the city center, this restaurant and pizzeria is surrounded by olive trees. Apart from the famous fries, the dishes are traditionally Roman. There’s a variety of antipasti, including several types of bruschetta, as well as pasta dishes, meat entrees, and delicious desserts. The spaghetti carbonara and saltimbocca are bestsellers, and kids love the heart-shaped pizza. There is ample parking at Paneolio. For those without a car, however, the restaurant’s location may prove difficult.