Located in a very artsy location between Punta della Dogana and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Sina Centurion Palace is a refined expression of Beauty and Love, inspired by the most refined emperor of ancient Rome, Hadrian, and Antinous, his beloved lover famous for his legendary beauty.
During the restoration works of the palace, built in 1892 in Gothic-Venetian style by the architect Trigomi Mattei, among the remains of the destroyed monastery of San Gregorio and pre-existing stone constructions dating back to 600 a.C., was found a rare coin depicting Antinous’ profile. Inspired by the legend of the young boy, an icon of the Cult of Beauty, the hotel decided to dedicate both the restaurant and lounge bar to Antinous. The name Centurion Palace also recalls the Roman cultural origins of Venice’s history; a painting, by Francesco Polazzo, representing Christ with a centurion, a Roman military commissioned to command a centurion, is preserved, in fact, in the nearby church of San Trovaso.
The restaurant’s terrace on the Grand Canal, with only 6 tables, is the perfect setting for a special evening, pampered by chef Giancarlo Bellino, famous for its colorful, tasty, and light cuisine loved by many Hollywood celebrities like Al Pacino that at Antinoo’s is a regular. Starting from a solid base of traditional recipes, chef Bellino gets inspiration from the beauty of Venice in order to create dishes that he draws like on a canvas.
Thanks to a meticulous research, excellent raw materials are combined with unusual ingredients in order to give a graceful twist of taste to the dishes. So the creative “canvas” based on raw scampo, scampo ice cream and Salicornia (a spontaneous plant that is found in Laguna) flavoured water ice with strawberries and ginger drops alternates with the solid traditional flavours of Gragnano’s spaghetti with Cantabrian anchovies, dried raspberry powder, and fried bread crumble.
Eating on the Antinoo’s terrace, a few meters from the water enjoying the relaxing show of gondolas and boats on the Grand Canal, truly gives you the unique thrill of being right into the heart of the action of the most magical Venice.
The Secret
Emperor Hadrian, who lived in the 1st century A.D., is also famous for a strong passion for the young Antinous. Following his lovers’ mysterious death by drowning in the Nile, Hadrian deified him and founded an organized cult dedicated to his person that spread throughout the Empire. After 133 A.D., various coins were minted with the effigy of Antinous in the oriental mints which, if in good condition, are today worth several thousand euros. The coin found during the restoration of the Sina Centurion is now kept by the Superintendency of Archaeological Heritage.
Useful Info
Antinoo’s Lounge & Restaurant @ Sina Centurion Palace
Dorsoduro 173
30123 Venezia
Tel. +39 041 34281
Tasting menu: 95 euro (wine and water included)
First courses: 25 — 28 euro
Second courses: 35 — 48 euro
Drinks & Cocktails: from 12 euro
