Mary

FOOD: Breakfast in the local 'bacaro' - coffee and a croissant was just L3,000. For lunch we had panini (toasted sandwiches), with a coffee and maybe a prosecco at the nearest bacaro. Get away from the main tourist areas - usually a matter of only a few metres down a side calle - look for one filled with locals - and you'll eat much better for much less.<BR>DINNER - 'Cheap Eats In Italy' is a great resource, but we also had some lucky finds! I'd highly recommend both Osteria Da Fiore & Ai Gondolieri for a more expensive night out (see Rants & Raves). Also a really fabulous place we just found by chance - Osteria Oliva Nera at Sallizada dei Greci, Castello (041 5222170). It's new and not in any guides yet - but it is just sensational. The pumpkin gnocchi with smoked cheese, fish and desserts were all to die for and they have a great wine list & they speak good English. Not cheap at L214,000 for the two of us - but well worth the money. <BR>For a slightly cheaper evening you should try the following (all prices are for 2 & include 2 courses, coffee & wine etc): Al Vecio Canton (Castello) L76,000 - it's main strength is its pizza, Ai Cugnai (Dorsoduro) - L150,000 - it's very much a locals haunt with very few tourists. Trattoria Pizzeria San Toma (San Polo) - we ate here twice & both times were great, although on the weekend some of the food was heated up in the microwave (including their famous Paella). I'd stick to the pizzas for a main course - L130,000. Ristoteca Oniga, Campo San Barnaba, Dorsoduro - L100,000 & Trattoria Dona Onesta, Calle Foscari, San Toma where despite a cuckoo clock as part of the decor we ate well for just L94,000.<BR>The one awful meal was at a place recommend by all the Guidebooks - it's obviously gone to their heads and the service, food and attitude was dreadful - I'd be keeping well away from Taverna San Trovaso (Dorsoduro) - see Rants & Raves for details.<BR>

beth anderson

Hi, <BR><BR>Thank you for your tips...<BR><BR>What other guidebooks did you use, to find food... I had a HORRIBLE time finding something I liked - only one restaurant had decent food, that I could find. <BR><BR>I didn't eat very expensively, so maybe that was part of the problem. I relied on Time Out when I actually used a guidebook (none good) and just fell into the others - with only one success...<BR><BR>thanks<BR><BR>Beth

Mary

We used "Cheap Eats in italy" which was really good for food. As guidebooks we used Foders, Access 'Florence & Venice' & Dorling Kindersley 'Venice & the Veneto'. I found that most of the Guidebooks only focus on the more expensive places - and while thats fine for the occasional meal, we were there for 11 days and needed to be a bit more realistic for some meals.

Monica

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience at Taverna San Trovaso. I was there with my cousin just a few weeks ago. I had a delicious fried seafood antipasta followed by Tagliatelle with salmon in a cream sauce. Reenie had gnocchi to start and a fish platter; white wine, all for 90.500L/$42.47. My husband and I found this place back in 1998. <BR><BR>We also enjoyed pizza at Al Vecio Canton and dinner with fellow fodorite Julie and her friend Betsy at Ai Cugnai. <BR><BR>Our hotel manager recommended two places we enjoyed: Osteria da Alberto and Hosteria Al Vecio Bragosso. <BR><BR>And finally, a restaurant recommended in Frommers (I think) was Trattoria Tre Spiedi, filled quickly with locals.<BR><BR>

elaine

Beth<BR><BR>I have also used "Time For Food--Venice", published by Thomas Cook.<BR>It's a small yellow book. Amazon has it. Lots of listings, even shopping and other hints.<BR>Each listing has a very brief but pithy comment, and it's organized by sestiere.

Kay

Mary, Thanks to you and others for the great food info for Venice. I am going back and was hesitant because last time it was soooo expensive to eat!

Alice

Mary, is the Osteria Oliva Nera a romantic spot? What is the decor like?

Julie

I have heard several people mention (here and other places) that they have had some rather disappointing dining experiences in Venice and the primary complaints were price and quality. Although I haven't always been thrilled with everyplace that I've gone, I never felt I spent a huge amount on any meal that made me regret it. And I admit that although I am open to new places in Venice (have gotten a lot of recommendations on this site) I have my favorites that I always visit at least once while in Venice. They are:<BR><BR>Al Covo<BR>Campiello della Pescaria<BR>Castello, 3968 – 30122 Venezia, Italy<BR>041/5223812 phone<BR>Dinner can be very pricey here, though certainly worth it for a splurge. I always go for lunch where they have an excellent prix fixe menu and I always know I'm in good hands. Fulvio is a fabulous waiter who really knows his wines and doesn't believe you have to break the bank to have a good one.<BR><BR>Agli Alboretti<BR>D. D. Accademia, 884<BR>30123 Venezia, Italy<BR>041/5230058 phone<BR>041/5210158 fax<BR>[email protected] (e-mail address)<BR>This restaurant is part of a hotel (2*?) on that main street in the Dorsoduro on the left hand side going directly from the Accademia bridge and Accademia. It's very cozy, charming and moderately priced. They have a very attentive wait staff and a surprisingly (to me) innovative menu although you can still get traditional venetian dishes as well.<BR><BR>It was with Monica (a fellow fodorite I know you're all familiar with because of her excellent website, travelogues and photos) that I tried Ai Cugnai for the first time. It was very reasonably priced and as theatrical as enjoyable, mostly because of Monica & Reenie's company but more specifically because of our waitress, Eda, who kept us on our toes with her antics. I would certainly return here on my future travels to Venice!<BR><BR>Hopefully with all the information available on Venice dining no one will have to be overly disappointed and you will be able to find your own dependable nooks.<BR><BR>Elaine: Thanks for the tip on "Time For Food--Venice", published by Thomas Cook. Between everything that comes up here, I'll be looking into that as well for my next trip.<BR><BR><BR>

Mary

Alice - no Osteria Oliva Nera is not what I'd call romantic. Just great food!

Dayle

Another vote for Al Covo. Yes, dinner is very expensive, but worth every lira! It was the best meal I had on the last 3 week trip.