Last night I had a surprise telephone call from a friend who was staying with his wife in a convent guesthouse in Rome.  He rang to tell me how happy they were with their room and that the sisters were very lovely and the convent clean and comfortable (and cheap). Not being at all religious or having had anything to do with nuns or monks in the past they were genuinely surprised that they were actually enjoying the experience.  They were quite taken aback when at breakfast they were waited on by nuns in full habit – a first for many guests, I would imagine!

I suggested that while they were staying in the centre of Rome that they wander down to the L’Eau Vive Restaurant (French) in the Via Monterone, just around the corner from the convent. This is one of the city’s unique eating places as it run by an order of French speaking nuns.  The food is French (so is the wine – I can personally vouch for the St-Emilion merlot) and the sisters offer a substantial menu with plenty of choice.  The chef is a nun and nuns wait on the tables.  What makes this restaurant even more unique is that at around 2100 each evening the sisters down tools and gather in the main dining room, (there are two dining rooms) join hands and offer a short prayer.  Hymn cards are then handed around to the sometimes surprised guests, the music is turned on and a sister invites the diners to join with them in singing Ave Maria. And as the words are printed in English there is no excuse not to join in.  Whenever I have been there I can’t help but notice how everyone seems to enjoy this rather unique experience. The singing is always enthusiastic and I wonder what the people walking past the restaurant must think???  Don’t miss it! http://www.restauranteauvive.it