If you’;re after THE restaurant for golden hour that is literally dripping in the golden showers of romance, the oddly named Antinoos is your spot. Could a table on the Grand Canal get much better?

Just wait until your front row view of sunset.

Amuse bouche are investitive even when impaled on rather sharp spikes.

The rose Franciacorta was to-die-for and matched the day’s goodbye, aglow in the sky.

First on the menu was the eggplant starter. While disguised as skinny aubergines in the Italian colors, it is more a puree, but delicious just the same.

The second plate (or first for the Gentleman) looks deceptively simple, but in reality it is pasta with clams! Rather than a handful of shells floating in an oily bowl, this is creamy, al dente with umami goodness that was out of this world. While this was a special occasion meal, we debated going back the next day for another plate of this one.

The Gentleman opted for beef which was cooked perfectly and was shredded, falling apart in the best way, but elegantly presented as one piece.

Ahead of dessert, the palate is invited for a few chocolate and fruit jellies.

Unfortunately, for a great as the meal was, the desserts were just on the opposite end of the scale and truly awful. The tiramisu was nothing special and this amaretti dessert was dry and flavorless. Such a disappointment and with a heavy price tag.

Overall, a spectacular meal. Once the sun has fully set, indulge in a nightcap to match the darkening sky or head up to your gorgeous room for a bit of rest.