Venice Reimagined Hotel Gabrielli reopens with a refined culinary identity under the direction of Chef Mirko Pistorello

There are cities that leave a lasting impression and others that quietly transform the soul. Venice belongs to the second kind. A place where time slows, silence has weight and beauty exists not as spectacle but as atmosphere. With its intimate scale and dreamlike setting, Venice remains one of Europe’s most magnetic destinations. And from London, the journey is effortless. In a matter of hours, the city reveals itself like a stage, always ready to receive those who arrive with open senses.

Now, a new chapter begins in its narrative. The reopening of Hotel Gabrielli, scheduled for 25 August 2025, marks the return of a Venetian landmark steeped in heritage, now part of the Starhotels Collezione. Located in the heart of the lagoon and recently restored with utmost care, the hotel reemerges with a vision that celebrates culinary culture as a central pillar of hospitality.

At the helm is Executive Chef Mirko Pistorello, a Venetian native born in 1973. With a career shaped in prestigious kitchens across Europe, including Michelin starred institutions, Pistorello brings a unique combination of technical precision, deep regional knowledge and emotional insight. His cuisine is not about grand gestures. It is built on memory, restraint and a respect for the land. His menus honour the lagoon, the rhythms of the seasons and the stories told through simple ingredients prepared with depth and care.

“The Gabrielli project is a return, not only to my city but to something personal,” says the chef. “Venice is where I began and where I continue to find inspiration. Here, I want each dish to tell a story that belongs to this place.”

At Felice al Gabrielli, the hotel’s signature restaurant named after Franz Kafka’s beloved muse Felice Bauer, guests are welcomed into a discreet, elegant setting. The space opens onto a private internal courtyard where native plants and soft materials create a timeless atmosphere. The menu reflects a refined interpretation of regional tradition. Highlights include Risi e Bisi made with Bassano asparagus and pea peel powder, Millefoglie di gambero in Saor, and a Tira mi su reimagined in both texture and composition.

The K Lounge Bar continues the culinary dialogue with flavours inspired by the lagoon, served in a setting defined by natural textures and warm tones. On the rooftop, Terrazza Gabrielli offers a panoramic view of San Giorgio Island and the Lido. It is here, suspended between sea and sky, that guests can savour Venetian cicchetti and signature cocktails at sunset, prepared under the care of bar manager Diego Filippone.

According to Salvatore Pisani, Area General Manager Venezia, the entire culinary concept is a reflection of Starhotels’ values. “We wanted each dish to echo the spirit of Venice without imitation. This is not a performance. It is an experience. Under Chef Pistorello’s direction, we are proud to offer something meaningful, elegant and honest.”

The result is a hospitality experience that goes beyond accommodation. The Gabrielli positions itself as a destination not only for travellers, but for the city itself. It is an address where the past is preserved with respect and the present is celebrated with finesse.

As someone who holds Venice with deep affection, I can only describe this new chapter as irresistible. To witness the Gabrielli’s rebirth through the hands of a chef so attuned to his roots is something I would be honoured to experience.

And perhaps, if I am fortunate, this story is one I will soon be able to tell from inside those historic walls.