The iconic Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice, Italy has reopened for the 2014 season with a stylish new restaurant overlooking the lagoon.
Named Oro, which means ‘gold’ in Italian and loosely translates as ‘perfect’ in colloquial Venetian dialect, the 40-seat eatery was designed by Adam D Tihany, the renowned interior designer behind famous restaurants such as ‘Dinner’ by Heston Blumenthal in London. Tihany is also working on the new luxury suites which are part of the renovation of Belmond Grand Hotel Europe in St Petersburg.
Oro is headed-up by Davide Bisetto, the first Italian chef to be awarded two Michelin stars in France. Using the finest Italian ingredients, Bisetto will reinterpret the historic Venetian hotel’s gastronomic tradition with his acclaimed culinary creativity. Signature dishes include ‘Red Prawn and Spider Crab au Naturel with Pink Grapefruit Aspic, Citrus, Sant’Erasmus Cucumber Sorbet and Bloody Mary Water’ and ‘Sea Bass Drenched in Marostica Extra Virgin Olive Oil with a Garden of Lagoon Vegetables’.
Reflecting the restaurant’s name, the main dining room sits under a domed gold leafed ceiling embellished with a stunning handmade Murano glass chandelier. Intricate details include Seguso chandeliers, fine Rubelli chair fabrics, three emerald green glass sculptures by Luciano Vistosi and blown glass candelabras by Venini.
Additional eye-catching elements include bronze sculptures by French artist Paulin Paris and a painting by contemporary Latin American artist Julio Larraz. Wrought iron custom chairs and stone-top tables with striped umbrellas furnish Oro’s terrace on the Rio San Giorgio, the perfect spot for an alfresco dinner.
Before entering the main restaurant, guests will pass through the sophisticated ‘Enoteca, La Via Della Sete’, which boasts a wine collection of over 1,000 select labels. The focal point of the room consists of a large bar counter decorated with intricate mosaics and a glass enclosed wine cellar. Here, guests can enjoy an aperitif before dinner or order from the full Oro menu in a more casual setting.
Prices at Belmond Hotel Cipriani start from £609 per night, including taxes and breakfast, based on two sharing a Double Garden View Room with Balcony.
About Belmond
Owned and managed by Orient-Express Hotels Ltd., Belmond is a collection of unique hotels and luxury travel experiences in some of the most fascinating and exciting locations in the world. Established over 30 years ago with the acquisition of Belmond Hotel Cipriani in Venice, this unique portfolio now comprises 45 jewels including hotels, trains and river cruises, many of which are located in the most famous destinations in the world. From the city landmarks to the boutique resorts, the collection includes Belmond Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg, Belmond Maroma Resort & Spa in Riviera Maya and Belmond El Encanto in Santa Barbara, California. Belmond also offers safari experiences, six luxury trains including the legendary Venice-Simplon Orient-Express and three river cruises. Orient-Express Hotels Ltd. also manages the restaurant “21”, one of the most iconic venues in New York City.
