Any suggestions for a milestone birthday dinner in three weeks in Venice. We are cruising from Istanbul to Venice and then spending 3 days at the Europa & Regina. From there to Villa d'Este. Any ideas?

Do you want an all-out splurge, as in hundreds of euros?
For perfect food, service,and ambiance,
choose either the restaurant of the Cipriani hotel ( a private boat takes you there in 5 minutes from San Marco) or Da Fiore, both of which have given me among the best (and most expensive) meals of my life. Dinner will be easily 150+ euros pp, depending on wine.
slightly less-expensive but lovely: Antico Martini

Or did you want something less formal and less expensive?

We could go expensive one night. Heck, I only turn 60 once. Yikes. But recommendations for our other evening and/or lunch is more than welcome too.

Here's my favorite place for a special lunch: Locanda Cipriani, on the island of Torcello. Vaporetto ride is about 80 minutes. I LOVE Torcello, even without lunch, but you have to be interested in the fact that there's not much there, just a 1000 year-old cathedral. Sitting outside on the terrace of the restaurant I mention above on a sunny day, overlooking the garden and the roof of the cathedral, is magical imo.

For casual/nice in Venice, I also like Da Raffaele, about a 5 minute walk from your hotel. It faces a small canal,there are outside tables. My tradition is to go there on my first night, when I'm usually tired and don't want much of a fuss. Food is reliable, service accommodating, outside tables are the main reason to go.

Another fancier place, good for lunch or dinner: Quadri. It's right on Piazza San Marco, and I think is the only restaurant on the Piazza that has a view of the Piazza and the lagoon.

First of all, georgib-I hope you read the reviews of Europa & Regina on tripadvisor.com-because, for the most part, they're pretty negative. In its favor, the hotel does sit on the Grand Canal, adjacent to San Marco, and is centrally located to the luxury shopping arcade along Calle XXII Marzo.

For a wonderful romantic dinner, I would suggest AL COVO, in Castello. This is a seafood restaurant, located on the campiello della Pescaria, near the Arsenale, right behind the Riva degli Schiavone. It's not cheap, average is around 75E without wine, but it is considered one of the best "foodie" restaurants in Venice-the chef's American born wife, Diane, is there to help you with the menu, if you need it, and the menu changes daily-it's just the freshest of seafood, incredible desserts as well. Highly recommended.

If you are interested in a Michelin starred restaurant (the only one in Venessia-"Venessia" is the local word for Venice) you could go to DA FIORE in San Polo. I've not been here but it sounds pretty good, (apparently the restaurant critics have deemed this Venice's best restaurant): creative interpretations on seafood and the like, -about 95E per person, without wine. vaporetto stop is San Stae.

As I'd mentioned above, I think Da Fiore may cost more than this last estimate, once you do add in the wine. But these prices are always approximations.

Just to offer an alternate opinion on the E-R hotel, I haven't stayed there myself but have friends who stay
there every year and love it.

Attention spygirl: thanks for your input. We are using Starwood points and could have chosen the Denali. My travel agent who has been excellent kept telling me that this hotel was a better selection. It's expensive so I hope it turns out OK. Now I am nervous.

I'm sure it will be okay, georgib, no need to be nervous. I mean, how bad can it be? It's in such a great location on the water!

Don't worry about the hotel. It will not turn out to be a dump or a fleabag.

I've read the tripadvisor reviews, the complaints seem to mention primarily high prices and unfriendly staff. There was one comment about dead mosquitoes on the ceiling, but that same person said they'd stayed in another room that was lovely. The hotel is an institution in Venice.
The worst it will be is disappointing.

I agree with elaine and spygirl's recommendations, although I'd like to add to elaine's suggestion for the Cipriani hotel -- there are a couple of restaurants there, but Cip's Club is the less formal one AND it has an amazing view of San Marco and Dorsoduro. If you are going during the warm season, I suggest you ask for an outdoor table at sunset -- it's wonderful! But it is pricey... Take their complimentary boat which leaves from Piazza San Marco, and give yourself some time to wander through the hotel grounds and garden.

I also enjoyed Acqua Pazza in San Marco which has outdoor tables as well, wonderful food and very friendly service.

And we liked the food and rustic atmosphere at Vino Vino wine bar in San Marco (www.vinovino.co.it)

A less expensive option on Torcello is Ponte del Diavolo. They have a lovely garden setting and the food was decent.

well expensive won't be too bad because it's all on points. I read the trip advisor now too and the staff seemed to be the problem. I always find that some are good and some just shouldn't be in the service business. We will be there the 22nd-24th and then to Villa d'Este. I really appreciate all the input. This is a big occasion for us.