rialtogrl

I would not go all the way to La Zucca without a reservation. They are too often all reserved up - no matter what the month - and I have eaten there in March on five seperate years of this decade. There is almost always a sign on the door that says "complete."

Maybe one can go right at 7PM and get a table, but I would not try it, not for this restaurant anyway. Unless, I was staying right around the corner or something. Or, you might try lunch - that might be a bit easier with no reservation.

It's very easy to call and make a reservation, they speak enough English, or have your hotel call.

Girlspytravel

Hi Statia-how are things in the islands? Idyllic, as always, I'm sure! I know-it WAS quite crowded even this past March, when I was there a couple of times!

Thomarob

For lunch on Monday, ciccheti at Gia Schiavi would be great - it is on Fondamente Nona near the Accademia. Cichetti is a great light meal option anytime (for either lunch and dinner) as you can sample a variety of foods inexpensively, especially seafood options.

Also between Frari and Accademia is Campo San Margerita - had a great lunch at Due Torre on the square (sarde in saor and spaghetti in seppia).

Girlspytravel

pkdof-Thomas mentioned yet another great place for lunch, which you and the kids would love-on the Campo Santa Marguerita, which is filled with college kids during the weekends (people forget that the city of Venice has, yes, 30,000 students during the academic year at the University of Venice!) TRATTORIA DUE TORRI-this place is wonderful, and it has some of the best, most inexpensive Venetian food anywhere in Venice-you'll see a lot of Venetian gondoliers and other workers go here for lunch because it is so inexpensive and the food very good-highly recommended-there is outside dining under the umbrellas as well.

Girlspytravel

Correction: DUE TORRE

pkdof

Wow, thank you all for your replies! We certainly won't go hungry on this trip - Venice is just the start, then Florence, Rome and Sorrento. I'll post my shortlist for those cities later.

We are leaving for Italy June 14, so I will certainly book our dinners. I don't want to be shut out of our must dos.

Marit77

ttt

annhig

Hi, GST & rialtogl,

that's very helpful info from you both. We'll be there in March 2008 -easter week! I guess that qualifies as high season.

we'll be in an apartment, and plan to do a big shop on easter sat morning at the rialto markets, on the basis that if we do fail to find a restaurant, we'll have something to fall back on. Also I love markets and can't resist buying toooo much. By the end of the week I'm desperately trying to work out what to do with all the left-overs/unused bits.

following your advice, I intend to book a restaurant for the Sat night before we go - the family will have to help me decide and we'll phone/e-mail from home. By then my italian from italian classes should be back up to reserving tables. After that, I think we'll wing it, or reserve for the next day while we're there. we like to be able to be flexible - if we find a good place at lunchtime, eat properly then and snack at night, and vice versa.

Although I've been to Venice before, i seem to have missed out on cichetti - how do you recognise a bar that has them, how do you choose them, do you have to eat at the bar or can you sit down?

regards, ann

Girlspytravel

I'll get back to you, later, Ann-it's Halloween party time, and I must go-but I'll be sure to give you the 411 on cichetti, and my favorite bacari (two of which are referenced above).

mum4k9

bookmarking

GraceN

Bookmarking, thank you

russwuf

I would recommend Acqua Pazza and Marco Polo. Two very different restaurants both excellent. We had a birthday celebration dinner at Acqua Pazza ..great food and fantastic service....at Marco Polo the restaurant is laid back...sort of hip place (had american style pop funky music overhead yet tasteful and soft) great food and service as well.