Not worth the bother and other Venice, Italy Restaurant Reviews

Restaurant Name: ai Spertivi

Very disappointed by this place - having read rave reviews of it on several sites, we went there in October 2007 and had a bad experience. There were plenty of tables outside, but we were ushered inside and then made to wait at the bar for a table. While we were standing there, we saw pizzas being brought to a table next to us, and they looked dry and unappetising. One of the orders was wrong, and it was returned, but the poor lass who returned it was forced to wait and watch her friends eating theirs for a very long time. Eventually a table became free, but the party which had come in behind us by several minutes got it ahead of us. The waiters' clothing was grubby and they did not seem, from our pretty good view at the bar, to have a grip on things. After a very long wait - no offer of a drink while we were waiting - we decided discretion was the better part of valour and left. We had a great meal at another restaurant on the Campo.


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Theme: Pizza

Address: Campo Santa Margarita, Dorsoduro

Restaurant Name: Cantina do Mori

This is a little bar which has been running since 1462, apparently. It's close to the Rialto bridge, on the San Polo side, and down two back streets off the market - ie. it has two entrances. The bar runs the width of the building, and it's standing room only for sampling a wide range of wines, and superb selection of ciccheti, the bar snacks. These are freshly made each day, cost about 1 euro each, and could be finely chopped tomato in a dressing, a guacamole and sardine confection, a vegetable dumpling, or salami/bresaola all on a slice of bread. You can pick a plateful to complement your lunchtime drinks. There are cauldrons suspended from the ceiling, and really calm, efficient bar staff, who patiently await your choice. It's frequented by locals and tourists alike, and we liked it so much we went back twice and were recognised - quite a feat in a busy spot like this. Really worth a visit. Price will depend on how restrained you can be with the ciccheti!!

Open 8.30-20.00, closed Sunday.


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Theme: Wine Bar/Wine Tasting
Comparison: about average

Phone: 041 522 5401
Address: Cantina do Mori, S. Polo 429, Rialto
Directions: Go through the left-hand side alley of the market (with your back to Rialto) and when you come out to the next market street do a mini-left then immediately right (it's almost straight ahead).

Restaurant Name: Ristorante Agli Alboreti

If you have funds to spend on a special night out, you could try the restaurant attached to the hotel. They are serious about food here, but it's served with panache and style, and evidently influenced by the Heston Blumenthal school of cuisine. The night we were there, they served complementary aperitives in something out of a chemistry set - fish liquid in the bottom, a green concoction in the top, and a Bailey's cigarette alight in the top. This was then mixed and served as a dressing for raw fish. Even the breadsticks were works of art - curly and made with sqid ink.

Had we chosen the sorbet, it would have been served on a plate decorated with a gentleman's pipe - out of which curls of vapour (liquid nitrogen) were escaping, and made at the table by the head chef in a large bowl into which the sous chef poured liquid nitrogen.

I'm vegetarian, and they were able to produce a special dish just for me.

Great, unobtrusive and prompt service - the wine glass was filled at exactly the right point in the proceedings and the waiters were right where they needed to be at every point.

An impressive wine list, but no need to feel intimidated - good advice for an appropriate choice to complement your meal from the staff.


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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Address: Dorsodouro
Directions: With your back to the Accademia bridge, walk down the left hand side of the Accademia, and after the first on the left is the hotel and restaurant.

Restaurant Name: Antico Capon

After a bad experience at Ai Sportivi across the campo, we had a great, quiet, reasonaby-priced meal here. We were initially put off by the aggressive touts on the door - who called out to us every time we passed. Normally, this would immediately rule out that restaurant, but it looked so attractive, with lamps on the tables, a good selection on the menu and fair prices (by Venetian standards!) that we swallowed our pride. I'm glad we did. A quiet table with attentive staff, prompt service and good food - not a gourmet's paradise, but perfectly satisfactory for an evening out. We tried the local Cabernet Franc wine, which needed to breathe, but really mellowed out, and the homemade Tiramisu.

Reliable and reasonable, about 30 euros each.


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Theme: Italian
Comparison: about average

Phone: 041 528 5252
Address: Antico Capon, Dorsoduro 3004, Campo S. Margharita
Directions: Coming from Accademia, it's at the right of the square.

Restaurant Name: Antico Martini

Next to the Fenice Opera House, and supposedly frequented by its performers, this is an upmarket, but quality restuarant with very good food and excellent service. The menu is not extensive, but the pumpkin, coriander and ginger soup was a winning winter warmer, and it does a good range of puds. The wines are good too. But it is very pricey for what it is - a slightly upmarket trattoria, so it would be a special treat.

When we were there, a lady sitting on her own (foreign, but apparently known to the staff) had her birthday and they brought her a complementary dessert with a candle - this was a really nice touch, as she looked rather lonely. It was all done subtly so as not to embarrass her, and gives an indication of the quality of the place and the care which the staff take.

A tip re coats - they take them and give you a ticket - you could tip the cloakroom attendant if you retrieve yours yourself.

Favorite Dish: Pumpkin, coriander and ginger soup - warming and spicey, with good balance of flavours, strong colour and smooth texture.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$41 and up  » Currency Converter
Phone: +39 041 5237027
Address: Campo San Fantin, San Marco 1983
Website: http://www.anticomartini.com

Restaurant Name: All'Anfora

We had a great bottle of Barolo here, and had wonderful, huge, fresh, loaded pizzas on a Sunday afternoon. The place was full of Venetians - hardly a tourist in sight, and although rather basic inside - plain wooden tables - had the feel of a working "normal" restaurant. There's a garden outside for the summer months. A long list of pizzas to choose from, and a pretty enticing wine list, at fair prices.

For us, it was probably the best meal we had in Venice - really simple, no frills, just good honest food with a good, homely (homey for our US pals!) ambience. And we ate in some posh joints too! A real highlight.

Within easy reach of the railway station as well.


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Theme: Pizza
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: 041 524 0325
Address: Lista dei Bari, Santa Croce 1223