SRS

A few days ago someone was looking for restaurant recommendations. And someone else recommended Ristorante Le Calandre, which is located near Padua.

This restaurant sounds like an amazing place and since we were trying to figure out which town we'd daytrip to from Venice, we looked into it and it sounds amazing.

I've tried to use the search function but nothing comes up so I am hoping someone will help me out.

If we take the train to Padua how far away would this restaurant be? It appears that it is in a nearby town - Sarmeola di Rubano. Should we take a cab and if so what would the approximate price be? Or would we be better off renting a car for the day?

Any advice would be very appreciate - and any further opinions on the restaurant would be excellant as well.

Thanks in advance!
Sally

http://www.calandre.com/home.asp?bil=|||ing

SRS

Topping in hopes someone with information will post.

Interestingly when I search Calandre - nothing comes up - even though this post should come up!

Sally

LoveItaly

Hi SRS, if you go direct to their website: http://www.calandre.com/
and start clicking from there you will see the map which shows they are located northwest of Padua (Padova in Italian) and 8 klm from the train station in Padua. You will need to rent a car or take a taxi to the restaurant.

They show their hours of operation including the weeks they are closed.

The restaurant sounds fantastic and from the photos very beautiful. But evidently it is difficult to get reservations especially for dinner so if you want to eat there I wouldn't wait until the last minute to make arrangements.

Per the above mentioned website their email address is: calandre@relaischateaux. Also there is an email form that you can fill out and send to them regarding desired reservations. Also phone and fax numbers. Be aware, Italians don't seem to general respond to emails as quickly as we do. If you really really want a reservation I would 24 hours after emailing them follow up with a phone call. Don't forget the time difference and I would not call during their heavy lunch and dinner service hours.

SRS, I went onto to Google and used their search engine. You should do the same. Lot of websites. This restaurant is part of the Relaischateaux corporation so that is what I clicked on and followed it to the Le Calandre Restaurant.

Good luck working this out. Lets us know how you enjoyed your visit there if you do make reservations. And have a wonderful time in Italy

SRS

Loveitaly,

Thanks so much for the response! I actually sent them an e-mail this morning to see their availability for lunch would be while we are in Italy. They confirmed us for lunch on the 24th - I'm pretty excited.

I am thinking lunch because we are planning to take a daytrip somewhere and since we've never been to Paudua we thought it would be a good one!

Anyway, looks like we can probably just take a taxi since it's not too far out. When I send my credit card information to them - I'll ask about that!

Thank you again - and if anyone else has any thoughts or has been there, please chime in.

Sally

LoveItaly

Hi Sally, that is fantastic!! And any place in Italy that responds that fast to email gets my vote btw! LOL.

Sally, I agree, 8klm is not that far so a taxi will be perfect. And I am glad you are going for lunch as Padua (Padova) is a beautiful small city. I am sure that you will be so glad that you gave yourself time to visit it also. I will sure look forward to your trip report.

SRS

Thanks LoveItaly - they were super quick. I sent them my credit card information and already I recieved information taking a taxi or on taking the bus. So we are all set for one amazing meal!!

I'll be sure to report back.

Eleni

LoveItaly, I'm sure you've checked out the prices for Ristorante Le Calandre, but if you haven't, you should. The pris fixe menus cost $164-190 per person (without wine). The a la carte and wine list are similarly overpriced.

I've read the reviews, and know that a lot of people rave about this restaurant, but they don't seem good enough to justify the price..

Don't get me wrong. I have, and will again, spend lots of money for good food (dinners at La Rosetta in Rome, and Gambero Rosso in San Vincenzo come to mind). But the reviews for this one are a little too mixed to justify the investment in eating there.

Okay, I know this has nothing to do with your question, and for all I know, you may not care how much you spend on meals. But I just couldn't help commenting!

To end on a more positive note, an excellent restaurant in Padua is La Vecchia Enoteca. It is very romantic, the food is terrific, and the wine list provides a good selection of quality wines. You will walk out very very happy. It isn't three-star, but it is wonderful. And it won't cost you $500, the price of dinner for two with wine at Calendre.

Have a wonderful trip, and I hope all of your food experiences are outstanding!

LoveItaly

Hello Eleni, I am NOT THE POSTER going to Ristorante Le Calandre. That is SRS (Sally). I merely went onto Google and found the website for the restaurant for her. I assume Sally checked out the menu and the prices. I didn't as I am not going there.

I do love Padova. I have only been there for day trips (thanks to my friends in Congliano that have taken me there). I would love to spend a night or two to be honest. It is a beautiful city. I am fortunate in that with all my friends in Veneto I go to restaurants that have fantastic food but with very reasonable prices. I am very fortunate in this. But thank you for your thoughts.

Doble_Vergasser

Please let me apologize for hijacking the thread but,

Loveitaly -
For Vicenza, do you know of any restaurants that have fantastic food but with very reasonable prices? We have three days there in June.

Le Calandre's prices are a little steep to me.

Eleni

So sorry LoveItaly! You were very kind to look up the details for SRS, and I should have been more attentive. I agree that the food in the Veneto, especially the seafood, is fantastic.

LoveItaly

Hi Eleni, no problem at all. I was typing the response to you while talking to a grandson on the phone, obviously I cannot do two things at once or I wouldn't have tpyed in caps. Sorry. It was the grandson I wanted to yell at, LOL.

Doble_Vergasser, I have never eaten in Vicenza unfortuntaly. I did, out of curiosity, look up restaurants in Vicenza in my DK travel book. One restaurant that caught my eye is Antica Trattoria Tre Visi located at Corso Palladio 25. Phone # is 0444-32 48 68. DK states the building is in the historic center which dates from 1483 and that Diners can see into the kitchen. It is (or at least was) closed one week in June and 3 weeks in July). It is rated as moderate versus the other restaurants they list which look very expensive. I would check this restaurant out.

Also, when I am in an area or town where I am not familar with the restaurants I walk around (morning before lunch) or lunch time (for dinner) and casually check out places. The looks of the restaurant, the Diners (if it looks like a lot of residents eat there it seems a good sign), a menu if I can see one and believe it or not the aroma of the food! And the general atmosphere of the place. Do people look happy and relaxed. Do the staff look pleasant. That sort of thing. I have had very good luck this way.

Please give us a trip reveiw after your trip, as we never read much about Vicenza. And have a wonderful time.

P.S. You might want to go onto to Google and type in something like "restaurants in Vicenza, Italy" to get an idea also. Mangia!!

SRS

TTT for more information from someone who has been here.

Also, Eleni thank you for the other restaurant tip!!

Sally