budget dining in Venice and Bologna

My favorite thing in Venice during the day was the cafes that had ready-made sandwiches in glass cases (egg, tomato, vegetables, meats, etc.) You could get to-go, or sit at a table (and use a restroom!). Also the stand-up bars along the sidewalks where you could get an espresso or glass of cold white wine.

Honestly I didn't have great luck with regular restaurants in the evening, so I do think you're wise to do some research on that.

Venice isn't known for its cuisine. Traveling solo in Italy, I really tried to avoid sit-down restaurants when I could avoid them. In Venice, I found take-away pizza slices actually quite good and not expensive. I ate at Brek Ristorante (self-service cafeteria on the Strada Nuova, near the train station) a few times and it wasn't bad at all. If you have an apartment with a kitchen, you could make your own meal; there are a few grocery stores, and there is a fish market at Rialto in the mornings.

I was in Bologna only one night and had pizza randomly at some pizza place and lasagna at a bar for another meal (Bologna is a university town, lots of student life, so casual food at bars is common). Both the pizza and the lasagna were amazing. I've heard it's difficult to get a bad meal in Bologna, and I believe it.

I don't have specific recommendations but if you're on a budget, don't eat near the main tourist areas, near the Rialto Bridge or St Marks Square. Find cafes or restaurants in quieter areas, or back streets, where locals may go.

Kay

Here's a link to Peter_S_Aus's trip report on Venice from a little while back - lots of recommendations on eating as well as sightseeing and general info. http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/venice-a-sort-of-trip-report.cfm