insideKENT Magazine Issue 62 - May 2017 | Page 141
We began our evening at the laid back
Gabbiano Bar where we sampled our way
through some specially recommended
cocktails next to the swimming pool. Drinks
flowing but hunger building, we headed to
our dining destination: the glamourous yet
informal waterside Cip’s Club.
The atmosphere was upbeat and buzzing.
Whilst we enjoyed the intimacy of our table
for two it was great to be able to talk at normal
levels and to be able to relax into the
surroundings, taking in the dining room that
is bedecked with original artwork, perusing
the tastebud-tingling menu and supping from
the beautiful Murano glasses on the table.
It soon became apparent however that we
hadn’t built up an appetite quite big enough
– the portions were more than generous! Keen
not to miss out, we created a mixture of dishes
and half portions that we could share rather
than opting for our own selections from the
Antipasti (starters), Primi Piatti (first courses)
and Pesci E Carni (meat and fish second
courses) which use an abundance of locally
sourced ingredients including those hand-
grown in the hotel’s own Cassanova’s garden.
First up – the Buffalo mozzarella. Smooth, rich,
creamy hunks of cheese served with Treviso
radicchio, hazelnuts and dried figs complete
with the most wonderful aged balsamic
vinegar which we ate alongside the fresh bread
basket with a divine local olive oil.
This was followed by the ‘half’ (seriously how
big is the full) portion of risotto – the most
delicious, creamy dish of goby broth with
sautéed pilgrim scallops; it was huge,
flavoursome and promptly devoured.
Next we embarked on our main courses. My
guest opted for the fried scampi, squid and
zucchini with fresh horseradish sauce. It
arrived on paper reminiscent of childhood fish
and chips by the sea, crispy batter, salty and
fresh, murmurs of ‘ohhhmmmiigaawwd’ the
only thing I could make out as he worked his
way through the heaving mound. I opted for
the more refined but equally tasty lamb chop
scottadito – the plump, juicy cutlets were
seared and served with a creamy potato cake,
chicory and delicate mustard sauce.
Feeling full but never beaten, we just had to
have dessert, and we chose the Chocolate
Cipriani Cake – a rich, luxurious affair of
decadent cake and dark chocolate ganache;
and the lemon meringue tart – a delicate shell
of short pastry, rich lemon curd, meringue and
raspberries.
An after dinner stroll along the water and
through the gardens back to our suite meant
we were soon dreaming about our next day’s
adventures.
Waking after a peaceful slumber to the sound
of the water, we ventured down to the
sundrenched lagoon-side terrace for breakfast
with its wonderful selection of fresh breads,
pastries, cereals, fruits and à la carte cooked
options, as well as the hotel’s own help-
yourself breakfast Bellini bar complete with
hotel-grown fruit juices – thank you Guiseppe
Cipriani!
Full again (this is a running theme throughout
this Italian stay!) we jumped on the next boat
transfer back to San Marco. I have to say that,
like many first time visitors, we were initially
a little overwhelmed – the map looked almost
unreadable with hundreds of tiny streets,
alleyways and waterways dotted throughout,
where would you begin and just how would
you get around? But rest assured it is easier
than it looks and we spent the best parts of our
trip whiling away the hours sightseeing, getting
lost (in a good way), and of course eating our
way through the city. More gelato anyone?
Whilst some may question a location that is
not walking distance from the main tourist
sights, I can tell you that this is honestly the
best of both worlds. The private launch offers
five-minute transfers, every ten minutes, 24
hours a day! And as soon as that boat leaves
the hustle and bustle of San Marco behind
your trip takes on a whole new relaxed feel
that no city centre accommodation could
match, and of course allows this residence to
offer the city’s only swimming pool.
Taking the R&R opportunity for all it was worth,
we took full advantage of the large pool, and
leaving the other half to soak up some rays on
the pool side loungers I escaped to the
Cassanova Wellness Centre, home to the
hotel’s gym, sauna and steam room and plush
treatment rooms perfect for either couples or
individual treatments. Nestled in the gardens,
I was able to totally unwind with a full
aromatherapy massage using delicate rose oil
courtesy of therapist Alessia who provided the
perfect end to a perfect stay.
As the boat bobbed away across the lagoon
for our final transfer we were both sad to leave.
The Belmond Hotel Cipriani and of course
Venice itself are just magical; we left full (not
just of food!) but of love for this hotel, the city
and of memories to last a lifetime.
Belmond Hotel Cipriani
Giudecca 10, 30133 Venice, Italy
Reservations: 0845 0772 222
[email protected]
www.belmond.com/hotel-cipriani-venice
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