Where is the nicest place to have lunch with a friend in Venice?

Is the friend paying or is this a "Dutch treat?"

Haven't decided yet. Any ideas?

If it is a fine day try a trip to the Island of Torcello by ferry and go to the Locanda Cipriani (closed Tuesday) if you don't mind an expensive choice http://www.locandacipriani.com/english/ristoeng.htm

For a cheaper meal try the Osteria Al Ponte del Diavolo. I ate here some years ago and the food and the location were lovely. We did not book but we were there in off season
http://www.ciaovenezia.com/eng/risto...lo/alponte.htm

Torcello is where the original Venetians lived but it was abandoned because it used to have malarial swamps. The oldest church in Venice is here, the Byzantine Santa Fosca. There is not a lot to see on Torcello and you can walk to the church from the ferry, taking you past the Osteria - the Cipriani is near the church. Hop off the ferry in Burano on the way home after lunch - it is an incredibly pretty island and far more attractive than Murano with its expensive glass places.

We like the floating dock at the Monaco and Grand Hotel, Corte Sconda, or Harry's Dolci on the Guidecca, but latter only if it's a nice day so you can sit outside with a view back to the Dorsoduro across the Lagoon.

Hi teens,

What's your budget?

I would like to offer a differing opinion.

The garden at Locanda Cipriani is lovely, but the food is less than stellar and grossly overpriced.

Al Ponte del Diavolo has changed ownership and is now far more low-end than it was.

I would still suggest the trip to Torcello for the Basilica and the church of Santa Fosca (they are two different buildings), but for lunch return to Burano and eat on the terrace at Da Romano. Their risotto alla crema di scampi is to die for, and the bill will not cause you to faint.