Not good anymore ! Beware !

Posted by goldhamster from Germany on 7/15/08

The Osteria da Fiore in San Polo, Calle Scaleter was previously outstanding. I have eaten there three times previously. The restaurant has now, in July 2008, completely Negatives changed. Note: The Michelin Guide rated this place with a star and three forks! The Prices are also approximately 2 - 2.5 times higher than in 2000. The reception is very poor: there is does not receive ladies or gentlemen, as we had a supplicant at the counter wait until a comprehensive telefonierender waiter bequemte us as guests perceive. The atmosphere is ugly became an overarching the entire ceiling, scheussliche Metal casing, that are not on the guest room fits. The guests are much closer than previously set, Tables are everywhere, even where no hinpassen, in the hallway near the toilet, for example. The service is the very high prices are not appropriate, but itself as a cheap trattoria. Instead us the menu over, first unquestioned the wine list. It is not asked an aperitif. Permanent there's another Kellner, the ostentatiously at the host vorbeischaut. A Amuse bouche in the form of simple, boring tuna paste lettuce leaves to come sometime later, after the Wine has long since. Generally, there is no advice on the food selection. The food: a catastrophe and ripoff without end! Poor ingredients, tiny portions, cheapest Preparation - far from good kitchen! Top For example, a "tower of seafood" turns out to about 40 euro as a minute portion plate with biligsten small clams and mussels and bits of Octopus, all subdued with little tomato sauce, without Esprit. Also about 40 euros for the "tuna in Rosemary crust "- formerly great - there are now approximately 8 Aufgeschnittenem slices (!) Tuna steak, WITHOUT Rosemary crust, with barely functions, raw Rosmarinnädelchen, betröpfelt with cheap oil! In the restaurant sat in the evening no Italians, exclusively foreign tourists, mainly from the United States, which for a crazy cheap money to the kitchen take - and how disappointed we are. The dessert, we saved, that would be another bitter disappointment been. The wine was not particularly, the former Demand and prices also not appropriate. Our obvious disappointment was not at all responding. You have the bill and we go let. The restaurant is a mousetrap and an annoying as a very expensive experience, if you are a romantic Evening with good food and drink had imagined.

Still the Best

Posted by torcello from Provincetown, MA on 11/20/06

I'm sorry to read of other diner's unfavorable experiences here. This still is the best restaurant in Venice, and the food is in a league of it's own. Not because they serve the same dishes grandma made years ago, but because they refine them, and make the flavors all stand out in such a unique, sometimes subtle and always satisfying way. The dining room is understated and elegant. No paintings on the wall. The focus is the food and experience of it. We last ate here on October 20, 2006. Razor clams, scallops in the shell - hard to imagine that things so simple could taste so incredibly good. Try Imperal shrimp grilled with a pumpkin/chestnut flan...amazing. Even the rare tuna was astounding due to the freshness and choice of the tuna as well as the infused oil that was on it. If you need to be hit over the head with flavors or garnishes, this isn't the place for you. And, if I am being served a mouth watering perfectly done gorgeously flavored risotto, I have no need of it being 'prettied' or dressed up on the plate. The desserts, grappe, cookies, wait staff and everyone are just great. Evidently it is not for everyone, but then, what is? Indulge and enjoy.

I am very disappointed!

Posted by Walter from The Netherlands on 11/6/06

I made reservations weeks in advance since this had to be the top culinary experience during our long weekend stay with friends. If you are anxious to get rid of all your money without any joy in return, this is the place to go. Although the wine list was extensive, the Barberesco we selected was much too cold. The Barolo we took for the secondi piatti was opened earlier on request, but was poured into my Barberesco glass obtaining some sediment. The primi piatti tasted good but one would expect a nicely decorated dish for prices over Euro 40, not only a spoon full of greyish risotto. The same applied for the pasta al forni. The secundi piatti was not better. And don't take the Meloche if you hate spiders! They were thrown as such on a bed of salad leaves without any dressing, only a few pieces of lemon. Our experience with dessert wasn't any better either. The chocolate dessert was so dry and 'dusty' that one could hardly swollow it. If you looked around we saw a lot of people who kept up appearances. It was not only a very pricey experience (close to Euro 200 pp) but on top of that they ruined one of the two diner possibilities we had this weekend in Venice.

A Very Fine Dining Experience

Posted by James from Cape Cod, MA on 10/27/05

We had eaten here for lunch several years ago, and have thought about it since. It was a great meal. This trip we were lucky enough to get in for dinner. We were greeted warmly, and sat at a nice table on the side (there are no bad tables, regardless of what other reviewers have said on here - it's a small, elegant room). The waitstaff was extremely attentive and helpful. The wine and water were poured , and nothing was lacking in that department. The food is amazing. They start you off with a small perfectly done tasting plate. The bread melted in our mouths. We started with the risotto - mushroom and scampi. It's for two, but we remembered people near us last time going into rapture over it, so we tried it. Amazing. My main dish was calamari stuffed with a chestnut filling. My partner had perfectly prepared tuna. The pistachio gelato with a chocolate caramel sauce was incredible too. They brought us a very nice flowery grappa after. There are other fine restaurants in Venice that we also love, but the experience here and the perfection of the food puts it in a category by itself. Expensive, but well worth it.