Osteria Da Fiore

Osteria Da Fiore Review

The understated atmosphere, simple decor, and quiet elegance featured alongside Da Fiore's modern take on traditional Venetian cuisine certainly merit its international reputation. With such beautifully prepared cuisine, you would expect the kitchen to be manned by a chef with a household name; however the kitchen is headed by none other than owner Maurizio Montin's wife, Mara, who learned to cook from her grandmother. The other surprise is that while this restaurant is in an upper price category, it is hardly among the priciest in Venice. It offers several moderately priced (€50), three-course, prix fixe luncheon menus, and the prix-fixe dinner menu is €80, which brings it very much into line with most of the more elegant choices in town. The menu is constantly changing, but generally frito misto or Da Fiore's tender, aromatic version of seppie in nero, cuttlefish in black sauce, is almost always available. Reservations, perhaps made a few days in advance in high season, are essential for dinner, but you can try just dropping in for lunch.