I have been to Venice several times, but never found 'THE' place to eat. Any suggestions?

It depends what "THE" place is to you <BR> <BR>If a place for an intimate dinner, excellent cuisine (only seafood, though) and very nice ambience may qualify, you should try the Osteria Da Fiore (Calle del Scaleter 2202, San Polo; Tel. +39 041 721308; Closed Sunday & Monday & 3 weeks in August; reservations required). This place lays on the way from Campo San Polo to Campo San Giacomo dell'Orio (leave Campo San Polo in the corner diagonally opposite to the church, make a right as soon as you can and follow the street). <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

I absolutely agree with Paolo - Da Fiore is the place to go. We were there in Feb. 99 and had a wonderful meal. We went again this February and had another great evening. The service is very attentive, and the owner (Maurizio is his name, I believe) makes everyone feel like they're regular customers.

I stand by all my previous recommendations of www.anticomartini.com

Da Fiore will be the place. Thanks so much for the recommendation. My mouth is watering already.

I, too, have inquired about dining from this group! Have taken advice from here (and elsewhere) on da Fiore, and called them. We have a reservation for May 10! <BR> <BR>When are you going?

Rex: just reviewed the web site for Antico Martini and it looks great. Is it as expensive as it looks? Average price? How does it compare with this super popular Osteria Da Fiore? I don't think I have never seen such unanimous approval of a single restaurant on this site.

Maddy, We will be there sometime around the 1oth. Will be driving from Garmisch and staying in Vicenza. I guess if I don't want to miss out on this fabulous sounding restaurant, I had better call there, too. Just wanted to remain flexible about the date. I'm so glad to know that there is such consensus.

Patrick, <BR> <BR>On my one and only trip there in 1998, with cocktails and wine and after dinner drinks, the bill was 1.4 million lire for 14 people. First time I ever had a 7 figure dining "conto" in my life. <BR> <BR>And it was a highlight of the trip. We selceted the menu ahead of time, and went with the lowest price option offered. We had no regrets, as to what we received. And the menus were specially printed "In honor of ...., ..., ...., etc." (the five kids whose graduation we were celebrating as the prinmary reason for this trip). A momento of a lifetime, and Signor Baldi came out, signed the menus and did photograps galore with our group. <BR> <BR>I have never been to Da fiore, but will consider it. <BR> <BR>I'll be back in Venice July 1 and 2 (the group includes the parents of one of the five kids - - I think they have their heart on going to this same place) - - I'll get to Da Fiore one of these days.

La Madonna is not to be missed. It is excellent in every way & reasonable. They cater primarily to locals but were very helpful when I didn't have a clue what was on the menu & even tho very busy did not rush us at all. It is located across the bridge from the Rialto & down a side street. Ask at your hotel. Ours was surprised & impressed that we knew about it.

Sharon: Understand about wanting to remain flexible. We decided to make the reservation in the middle of our stay for at least one big "dining experience" as we have had advice that it is useful to know restaurants in Venice -- less confusion and less possibility of picking the wrong kind of place for what you have in mind. We have six nights so will be experiencing many meals. <BR> <BR>We, too, have a recommendation for La Madonna. Does anyone know if pre-trip reservation there is a good idea? I am hoping to wait until until we get to Venice, which is several days before our Da Fiore experience is scheduled, to figure out more! <BR> <BR>Thanks

We have eaten at Trattoria la Madonna twice, and have been pleased with it both times. I don't believe they take reservations at all. The last time we were there (last May) we stopped by at 5:00 wanting to make reservations for that night, and they told us they didn't take reservations. We had no problem getting a table at 8:00 or 8:30 when we went back.

How about this thread? <BR>

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Sharon -<BR><BR>My favorites are Al Covo (husband, Cesare, is Venetian, wife, Diane is from Texas - no language barrier there!) The menu is whatever is fresh that day. Have been there many times, at varying seasons and always pleased.<BR><BR>Also really like Fiaschetteria Toscana - not far from the Rialto. One time there was this large raviolo, filled with spinach and a poached egg, with grated cheese on top - I can still taste it - or the large sauteed artichoe hearts - ended up ordering another order just to tide me over!<BR><BR>For seafood, Corte Sconta is special - if you can find it! Just let them order for you and you won't be disappointed...<BR><BR>While I try to stay away from the restaurants in SanMarco, I've never been disappointed at Do Forni. It's right in the heart of things - but the food has always been very good.<BR><BR>Had a special birthday lunch at the Monaco and Grand Canal - I wasn't expecting much, thought it would be too commercial, but it was delicious - and so was the view of the Grand Canal.<BR><BR>Dona

Has anyone ever eaten at Paradiso Perduto? Mario Batali recommends it, but when I went there last year it was closed--it's only open Sunday thru Thursday!! I felt so cheated!

It depends on what one's looking for, Melissa. I don't think it would be appropriate to classify it among restaurants that belong to the thread title cathegory. <BR><BR>The Paradiso Perduto is one of the livelest places in Venice and one of the last to close, at 2am. Most of the clientelle consists of students. There's usually live music (music styles varying during week) and frequently there are art displays. Food is good but quite limited (very good pizza and hot dishes as the home-made "biggoli", a coarse spaghetti made from whole wheat flour. Cheap.<BR><BR>I have it closed on Wednesdays (which may have changed) and two weeks in August. It's located somewhat off the tourist axis, in Cannaregio, close to Campo dei Mori and Madonna dell'Orto church.<BR><BR>Paulo

Just got back from Venice and here's another vote for Al Covo. The food was really wonderful, very authentic but served beautifully in a contemporary way. For dessert I recommend the pear and prune tart. It simply was one of the best things I have ever eaten. BTW, our concierge chuckled when we asked for a reservation at Da Fiore. He said standard practice is to reserve a month in advance!

Did da Fiori (the best seafood), Al Covo (creative and very focused on healthy preperation of food) and, my personal favorite, da Gigio (I know, I know, it is formally Vinni da Gigio, but regulars refer to it as just da Gigio)this last summer. All are excellent. Da Fiori and Al covo will require reservations well in advance in order to have a chance for a table during peak season. Da Gigio, which belongs to the same association of five quality reastaurants in Venice as da Fiori and Al Covo, is in the Canneraregio section of Venice; a little hard to find and well worth the effort. It is frequented, primarily, by Venitians and Italian Tourists. For a total dinning experience, i.e., exquisite food, intimate surroundings (it is quayside off Strada Nuova), knowledgeable and completely accessable waiters and an owner that will be as involved in your dinner as you allow him, you can't beat this unassuming little restaurant. One member of our party this last year is a chef at a world-renowned restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area. She was overwhelmed by the overall dinning experience at da Gigio. She never identifies her vocation or place of employment when we travel, but we left with handshakes and hugs for the owner and staff, laden with wine, house-made prepared cooking ingrediants such as their excellent flavored balsamic vinnegars. All of this was payed for, of course, but they are not generally for sale and were offered only after conversations about the preperation of various food items we had during the evening. This was our second trip to da Gigio (this does not qualify us as regulars)and we will go again.

We also loved Trattoria Alla Madonna. No reservations, but they provided free glasses of wine while we waited. We paid 104,00 Lira for two with wine in May of 99.<BR>Tony