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Hi Dave,

Read your trip report, makes me a zillion times more excited!
Did you just go to Venice and then home? Venice is the start of a 3 1/2 week 30th anniversary/kids are finished college/university, never been to Europe before trip for us.We have 3 nights at La Calcina, then board Oceania's Regatta for an other night in Venice, then depart on a 2 week Med cruise, ending in Barcelona. After a night there we fly to London for 3 nights, then train thru Chunnel to Paris for 3 nights, then back to Toronto.
Trattoria Sempione is a place I had thought of for the one "nice" dinner I'd like to have in Venice, otherwise, pizza slices, and places we just find is the plan.(and I have taken note of the pizza place you liked!)
A couple of questions about Sempione, if you wouldn't mind. We don't eat seafood/fish. I know Venice is known for these things. Will we be able to get other main courses without difficulty in Sempione,and other places?
And, did you make reservations for your meals after arriving in Venice, or did you ask La Calcina to make them? We arrive in Venice on a Sat AM, and I am thinking of the Mon for our dinner there. think I ma safe to get one on the Saturday? I would like to request a canal side table

Sorry, Dave, I am trying to get used to my first laptop, and hit the wrong button and got posted.
Anyway, thanks for any advice you have on this, and I'll be re-studying your trip report many more times!
(How was golf? I was working and jealous!)
Thanks, Marian

me again,
I meant did you ask La calcina to make them for you BEFORE you arrived?

think I'm done now.

Two years ago we were on a 15 trip of Italy and had just spent 2 nights in Venice. At that time I said, "I will be back." US AIR has non-stop flights from Philly to Venice from mid-May to October, so we just went to Venice and stayed at La Calcina for 5 nights and then flew home. Plus we bought our tickets last August for May and got a great deal.
I made reservations from home for Al Paradiso and Le Corte Sconta (which we changed.) La Calcina made our reservations for Taverna San Trovaso. It's a true shame you don't eat seafood as Venice is very good for that, but anyway one of our traveling friends does not eat seafood and he kept getting pasta with meat sauce @ Sempione. We love Sempione. We were there 2 times on our trip in 05 and again 2 times for lunch this May! Rinaldo was our special waiter and really did become our friend. As I said before one of our friends doesn't eat seafood and he survived Venice very well. According to the card I have for Sempione they are closed Tuesday. A lot of places are usually closed Sunday evening or Monday, you might want to keep that in mind. We also really loved Trattatoria due Torre in Campo Santa Margherita.

Golf was very hot, about 98F today and humid.

15 day trip I mean.

Golfed Monday, Tuesday in league and going Thursday!! Life is great!

dave,

if you had to pick ONE nicer restaurant in Venice, where dinner for 2 with house wine might cost 100Euros, where would YOU pick?
Do you have a website /email for Sempione? I'd like to make a reservation for our Mon anniversary dinner, but can't find a way to contact them. I will ask La calcina to do it before we arrive if need be. Or maybe, you think another place would be better...
Thanks so much again.
Marian

http://www.alsempione.com/

This next website is from another message board. Very good info on eating in Venice.

http://p099.ezboard.com/feuropetogof...picID=90.topic

Ristorante Riviera is on the Zattere straight down from La Calcina about 10 minute walk. But don't hold me to that, some walk faster and some slower than others. (ha ha) We were trying to get here, but it just didn't fit in our schedule. Next time, for sure.

http://www.vinidagigio.com/index_eng.html

The only restaurants we ate at were the ones listed in my trip report. But we will go to Riviera and vini da gigio on our next trip.

Also close by, about a 5-10 minute walk, is Locanda Montin. Here is their website with directions. Can't go wrong. And this is also on our list for the next time. And we will go back!!

http://www.locandamontin.com/montin/default.htm

I can't find a website for Riviera, but if you just google "Ristorante Riviera Venice" you will get lots of reviews and info on it.

tropicalkerry: when are you going?
I have a picture of us with Rinaldo that I would like to give to him. I suppose I could send it in the mail, but it would be neat to have someone see his expression on his face when you handed him the photo.
dave

Hi Dave,
We leave for venice on sept 28. Is rinaldo the waiter at la calcina? Whoeverr he is, I'd be happy to deliver your photo to him. Post your email address and i will contact you with my address.
In my eyes, you are the Venetian Ira!!! Thanks so much for all the info!
Marian
PS: we did book the water taxi for just the 2 us, don't tell anyone! I wish we could split it, I may canvas at the dock. Won't those taxi drivers LOVE me?
I can't imagine NOT using it if it could be split 2 or more ways. We ain't rich, but after hours of flying and 4 hour layover in Frankfurt, fuses will be short, and i want to start this dream vacation off on the right foot, or boat!

Rinaldo is the waiter at Sempione. Also, Where are you staying in Paris? We were there in May of 06.

Henri IV Rive Gauche.Restaurants?

Chez Henri
20, rue des Fossés-St-Bernard, Paris, France 75005 · 01 43 54 99 37

Can't find a website for Chez Henri, but just google it and you will get info. We loved it. Very good food, just a little hole in the wall place and not far from pont de la tournelle to go over to ile st louis.

another that i would recommend is Bofinger
7, rue de la Bastille
www.bofingerparis.com

Also:
auberge de la reine blanche
30, rue Saint-Louis en lile
il st. louis

dave
[email protected]