Vini da Gigio - family run gem and other Venice, Italy Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: Vini da Gigio

In Sep 2007 we had two nights in Venice, but on our first night we arrived too late for a proper dinner, so on our second night I wanted to make sure we had a special meal, as this is a special city! I did some research before our trip and liked the sound of the family run Vini da Gigio, and better still it was only 5 minutes walk from our hotel. I emailed them and reserved a table a few weeks in advance, as we were dining on a Saturday night.

Favorite Dish: I liked Vini da Gigio instantly. A friendly welcome, a table in the main section of the restaurant, and a relaxed atmosphere. We ordered a tasty bottle of Valpolicella, and shared a couple of starters - the Pesce affumicato misto con crostini (smoked fish with toast) and the Fromaggio fritto con polenta (fried cheese with polenta). The smoked fish was particularly tasty, and got the thumbs up from my parents who are not normally fans.

Main course was the Filetto di agnello con verdure di stagione (fillet of lamb with seasonal vegetables) and the Ossobuco di vitello (veal ossobuco). While the ossobuco was tasty, the lamb was the standout dish, and nicely presented too. We couldn't resist dessert, and sampled two semi-freddo type dishes, which were a suitably sweet ending to a most enjoyable meal.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +39 041 5285140
Address: Fondamenta di San Felice, 3628
Directions: Nearest vaparetto stop: Ca’ D’oro
Website: http://www.vinidagigio.com/index.php
Other Contact: info@vinidagigio.com

Restaurant Name: Trattoria alla Madonna

We had a fabulous dinner one night at Trattoria alla Madonna.

Located on the ground floor of a centuries old mansion, the restaurant has been in operation since the mid 1950's and is still owned by the original owner.

The restaurant was packed out when we arrived (without a booking), but they managed to squeeze us 4 in after a brief wait.

This was a cosy, relaxed place, with a mix of locals and tourists, and friendly helpful staff.

Favorite Dish: They specialise in Venetian cuisine - hence seafood was the basis for the menu.

We started with seafood antipasto to share.

My sister Alison had one of the house specialities - the squid ink pasta with polenta. I had a seafood risotto. Bill is pictured here with his lasagne, and of course a carafe of vino rosso!

It was a fun night and we left full and satisfied.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 041-5223824.
Address: Calle della Madonna, San Polo 594
Directions: Close to the Rialto Bridge, just off Riva del Vin

Closed on Wednesdays. Also closed in January and for two weeks in August.
Website: http://www.ristoranteallamadonna.com/eng/locale.htm

Restaurant Name: Ai Rusteghi

Ai Rusteghi

We found the perfect place for a simple yet delicious lunch - Ai Rusteghi.

Located in a small courtyard, close to the Rialto Bridge, Ai Rusteghi is a hidden gem - in more ways than one - it is a great place for lunch, and it is kind of hard to find!

You can pop in for a few very tasty mini-panini with assorted fillings, and a glass or two of wine to wash them down.

We had a great lunch here one day, and ended up there the next day for more of the same.

It was certainily one of the cheapest meals we have had in Venice. The staff are friendly and helpful, so just pull up a stool, order some panini and relax.

Favorite Dish: We had several different fillings on our panini, including salami & cheese, prosciutto, rocket & brie to name a few, and there were plenty of wines available by the glass.

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Theme: Other
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 041 523 22 05
Address: Campiello del Tentor 5513
Directions: Nearest Vaporetto: Rialto

Restaurant Name: Da Sandro

Having read about a great pizza restaurant, rated by another VT'ers, we headed to da Sandro eagerly anticipating the meal ahead. We were not disappointed!

Da Sandro is located about a 5 minute walk from the Rialto Bridge, in the San Polo region of Venice. It is located on either side of the street - there is a larger restaurant with outside tables on one side, and a tiny pizzeria on the other, which is where we ate.

The four of us were welcomed and seated in the last available table. We ordered the obligatory litre of vino rosso and perused the menu.

Favorite Dish: We all had pizza of course - and it was good! I had the tuna pizza (yes, I am a little odd), whilst the others had slightly more exciting toppings. We had plenty of wine and even managed to fit in dessert.

It was all tasty and a great experience!

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Theme: Pizza
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: San Polo 1473/1411/1412, Campiello Meloni, Venezia
Directions: Cross the Rialto into San Polo, and turn left down Vecchia S. Giovanni. Keep going, until you reach C. di Mezzo, then turn right, and there it should be...

Restaurant Name: Gelateria Il Doge

My favourite place to buy Gelato in Venice is Gelateria Il Doge, located in Campo Santa Margherita.

Having tried this place now on a couple of occasions I would say it is definitely worth the walk fro wherever you are staying, to try a scoop or three. I dragged my sister along for a taste test, and she wasn't disappointed.

Located in the beautiful Campo Santa Margherita, you can buy a cup or cone of this delicious ice cream and then find a perch in the piazza for some people watching.

Favorite Dish: My favourite flavours are cafe, hazelnut, coconut and pistachio - though I hear they do a pretty mean chocolate too!

***Latest visit was in Sep 2007 - gelato was BETTER than ever!!!***

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Theme: Ice Cream
Comparison: least expensive
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 041 5244049
Address: 49 Campo Santa Margherita, Dorsoduro
Directions: Located on the edge of Campo Santa Margherita, just across from the supermarket.

Restaurant Name: Ai Sportivi

After the big European VT Meeting near Verona, I headed to Venice with fellow VT'ers jessica-b & HORSCHECK.

Upon arrival, we walked Jessica to her hotel, which was located in one of my favourite places in Venice, Campo Santa Margherita. Here was the home to the restaurant that all the guide books claim has the "best pizza in Venice", and I had always been keen to eat here, but hadn't made it on previous trips.

Finally I got my chance - we all had lunch at Pizzeria Ai Sportivi.

We only just made it though - we just managed to order our food before the end of lunch.....but I'm so glad we made it in time....we did get a little lost on the way there....but what do you expect in Venice!?

Favorite Dish: The pizza's were fabulous - and huge! We enjoyed a great lunch sitting in the piazza - it doesn't get much better than pizza and vino, with friends - in Italy!

*** Last visit was Sep 2007 - had another tasty lunch, this time with my parents. The pizzas were even bigger than I remembered!! ***

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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 041 521 1598
Address: Dosoduro - Campo Santa Margherita, 3052
Directions: At the southern end of Piazza Santa Margherita, near the English Pub

Restaurant Name: Osteria alle Botteghe

We had lunch one day at Osteria alle Botteghe Osteria alle Botteghe, which is located between San Marco and the Accademia bridge, just off Campo Santo Stefano.

We were tired and hungry, so popped in here for a cheapish lunch. It wasn't the greatest meal we had in Venice, but it was "honest". We all just had a pasta, but of course couldn't resist washing it down with some tasty vino rosso!

Service was friendly, and attractive - so my brother-in-law thought anyway. Food was ok, not amazing, but fine for a quick lunch.

Favorite Dish: The lasagne and gnocchi were fine, but not mind blowing.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 041-522-8181
Directions: San Marco 3454 (on Calle delle Botteghe, off Campo Santo Stefano).
Nearest Vaporetto: Accademia or Sant'Angelo
Website: http://www.frommers.com/destinations/venice/D41717.html

Restaurant Name: Gran Caffe Quadri

For one of the best people watching places in Venice, pull up a seat at an outdoor table at Gran Caffe Quadri, located in Piazza San Marco.

Ok, it is not cheap place to do some people watching, but picture this.....firstly you are in Venice, which is amazing in itself...then you are sitting in a fancy old cafe in St Marks Square, glass of brunello in hand, feeling like the luckiest person in the world, watching the less lucky chase pigeons and take photos of those lucky people sitting in the posh cafes....

Favorite Dish: Possibly to a lot of people a visit to Gran Caffe Quadri (or Cafe Florian on the other side of the Piazza) would be written up as a tourist trap....it is expensive and caters to tourists. But, stuff 'em - pull up a chair, order an espresso, some gelato or a glass of wine and relax - you're in Venice. And it is fabulous!!

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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30  » Currency Converter
Phone: 041-5222105
Address: Piazza San Marco
Directions: It is on your left as you stand facing the Basilica.
Website: www.quadrivenice.com

Restaurant Name: Teso Maura Bar Mio

On our last trip to Venice, we rented an apartment close to Piazza San Marco. With busy days filled with site seeing, we stopped off each morning for a quick stand up breakfast at a small cafe on Frezzeria, close to our apartment.

It was a busy place - specialising in great coffee, pastries and ready made small and large panini. Service was friendly and coffee good. Its special draw card however was the posters of scantily clad women and men on the wall!!


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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Frezzeria
Directions: on Frezzeria, close to Piazza San Marco

Restaurant Name: Self Catering

If the numerous tourist menus and expensive bad meals get you down when you are in Venice, why not try self catering!

On our last visit to Venice, there were 4 of us and we rented an apartment, close to Piazza San Marco.

One night we decided to "self cater" so we stopped by a deli on Frezzeria, close to our apartment and spent up (a little to) big on meats, cheese, and other antipasto delights, served up with some crusty baguettes that we had bought earlier that day, and washed down with a couple of bottles of Italy's finest vino rosso.


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Theme: Local
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter