Fine French cuisine and a hymnal singalong

L'Eau Vive restaurant in Rome, Italy

This is one of Rome's oddest but most elegant dining experiences, worth the splurge for its unique food and atmosphere. Fine French cuisine and a daily exotic dish are prepared and served by a lay sisterhood of missionary Christians from five continents who dress in traditional costumes. Skip the plain stuccoed vaulting downstairs and climb to the piano nobile of this 16th-century palazzo, where the high ceilings are gorgeously frescoed.

First courses include the specialty soupe à l'oignon gratinée (French onion soup) and scrumptious chèvre chaus aux aumandes (toasted goat cheese coated with mustard and almond slivers). Main courses include langouste Thermidor (lobster Thermidor) and magret de canard à l'orange (duck filet in Grand Marnier sauce with puff-fried potatoes). Most wines are French, with plenty of half-bottles available.

At 10pm, the recorded classical music is interrupted so the sisters can sing the "Ave Maria of Lourdes," and some evenings they interpret a short Bible story in ballet. Only then will they bring your crêpes flambés (crepes cooked in Grand Marnier sauce). Set-price menus run €10 to €30. Tip generously—all the profits go to charity.

Via Monterone 85 (off Piazza Sant'Eustachio)
tel. 06-6880-1095
www.restaurant-eauvive.it
Closed Sunday and in August

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