This "famous" restaurant in Venice is a colossal rip-off. I like fine dining and don't mind paying for excellent service or excellent food or even an excellent atmosphere. On the day I went, Harry's had none of the above. Their famous Bellini came in an 8-ounce glass and was just so-so; I expected more for $15.00 a pop. The freshly-made lemon meringue pie was good, but hardly worth the $25.00 a slice price tag. One can't even get a plate of plain pasta for under $40.00. Bottom line: the next time I am looking for a good restaurant in Venice, I will steer clear of Harry's! <BR><BR><BR>

I'll be there for the first time this fall. I was planning on stopping in for a drink, but maybe I'll skip it.<BR><BR>I did just finish the book, however, and it was pretty easy read.<BR><BR>jp

I have been to Venice four times and have had many wonderful meals and memorable evenings. I've never set foot in Harry's Bar. What did you expect? You've only confirmed what I always assumed would be true. What else would one expect from such a "famous" tourist place? Did you assume that somehow any lemon pie in the world could be worth $15? Did you really think there would be something special about their Bellini's? There is only one reason to go to Harry's Bar -- to be able to tell everyone you went there. If that isn't worth throwing away some money for, then stay away.

Places charge what the market will bear. Harry's will continue to charge prices like this as long as they have customers willing to pay them. <BR><BR>Out of curiousity, just what kind of lemon meringue pie did you expect for $25.00 (yikes!) a slice?

Definitely a rip-off. Their famous Bellini, one of the worst I ever had , it wasn't even cold, and for the price tag of $15.00 just skip it. My advice, keep away from Harry's Bar.

We were just in Harry's Bar 3 weeks ago for martinis and the waiter tried to rip us off by billing us for twice the amount that we owed. And they didn't even put olives in our martinis!! Stay Away!!!

Don't feel bad, the Bellini's at the Rainbow Room Bar in NYC are $17. At least Harry's offers the original setting. I guess it's par for the course with the Cipriani establishments.

This thread makes me wonder how people define a "rip-off." <BR><BR>To me, it would be something like Joan mentioned, where she says a waiter tried to billing them for twice for what they ordered. (And, if martinis *always* have olives, and they didn't put olives in the martinis, then I suppose that could be considered a rip-off too.)<BR><BR>But, to me, agreeing to pay $25 for a slice of pie isn't being ripped off. Although, I suppose even with that it depends on the slice of the pie. It seems reasonable to expect, for example, that for $25 you'd get a slice you'd be able to see without the aid of a magnifying glass. But, beyond that, where does the size of the slice cross the line from "worth it" to "rip off"? <BR><BR>In otherwords, I guess, do you consider yourself "ripped-off" if something you pay for doesn't meet your expectations? And, if so, how do you arrive at your expectations in the first place? <BR>

Capo it's simple,<BR><BR>Definition of a rip-off is a $25 piece of pie!<BR><BR>Definition of an idiot is someone who orders it!

Not to be rude, but Harry's is for the rich. If you can't afford $25 for the pie then maybe you shouldn't dine there.<BR>Also, remember that you are paying to be seen and to see. This usually levies a hefty price tag, no matter where you are.

I'm not so sure about that, Def. Is someone who pays $400/night for a hotel room an idiot? Plenty of people can drop $400/night for a hotel room or $25 for a piece of pie and not blink an eye. <BR><BR>

OK, just to put out a different opinion here. My husband and I popped into Harry's bar in 1999 and had a great time. We didn't order any food, nor did we want any, we were on a pretty tight budget, but my husband is a big fan of Jack Kerouac and had to stop into Harry's. We had the best (no lie here) BEST screwdrivers I have ever had!

Best thing ever happened to me on a hot day in Venice was when my buddy and I tried to go to Harry's for a beer while the wives shopped. I was in shorts and they would not let me in. We went across the alley to the hotel there and found a great patio overlooking the water and the gondola loading platform. Chilled out when some cool beers and watched the boats and people go by. THANK YOU HARRY.....YOU DONE WELL BY KICKING ME OUT!

Well, I guess it's only appropriate that Harry's had the best screwdrivers ever. After all, they're very experienced at screwing everyone!

Good evening, most of the patrons of<BR>Harrys' are those who have sufficent funds to eat and enjoy, without feeling<BR>ripped off...many other ristorantes<BR>both in Venice and other cities have<BR>similiar establishments, were you can<BR>also have that ripped off feeling. The<BR>best way is to look and understand the<BR>menu prices before ordering, however for<BR>those who consider it the good life, more power to you, you can not really<BR>complain about the quality of the food.<BR>The Bellini also also originated at<BR>Harry;s in Venice. Richard of LaGrange Park, Il.. PS love the Cipriani in NYC....<BR>

I have a question: when you ordered the $25. slice of pie, did you first check the price on the menu, or did you just order it without looking at the price?