I will be in Venice for my honeymoon and I am looking for a small romantic, candlelit restaurant for our first dinner. Near a canal or view would be nice but not necessary. Price is no option, but we definitely want it quiet .... as in on a side street away from the action. Service must be friendly. Does Taverna la Fenice fit that description? If not does any other restaurant come to mind?

I forgot - It will be a sunday night and although I was thinking of Da Fiore, I learned from previous posts that it will be closed that day.
Thanks!

I would recommend Ristorante da Raffaele. It is on a side canal and you can even arrive by gondola. It is about half way between the Accademia Bridge and St. Mark's square. You will want to reserve a canal-side table. The food is good (and pricey) but the atmosphere is lovely for your first night. Rick Steve's recommends it under "eating with a romantic canalside setting" and says "it is the place for classy food on a quiet canal." We were there last week. On another day, make sure you eat at Taverna San Travoso in the Dorsoduro area. It is so good and reasonably priced that we ate there twice!

Hi

My wife and I just went to Venice and the best meal we had was at a place called Trattoria Antica Bessetta located in the San Polo area. This resturant was a bit hidden away from the main areas so it was not crowded and they had excellent food. I have posted a longer "review" of this place in my trip report from Venice. You can find it on www.gardkarlsen.com

Have a great trip to Venice

regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

hi rg,

gard's restaurant is
Antica Besseta Salizzada de Ca' Zusto, 1395 Santa Croce, tel. 041/524-0428

Don't know where Taverna la Fenice is but we had a wonderful New Year's Eve at Antico Martini which is near La Fenice (the old opera house-currently under reconstruction). It is not on a canal nor is there a view but it is very pretty with excellent (expensive) food. Based on reviews here and depending on time of year, I think Da Raefelle is a better choice because of the view. Antico Martini also has a piano bar (Scala Martini) & might be nice for an after dinner drink some time.

Avogaria is another rest. to try. Also not on a canal (& hard to find near Campo San Barnaba) but new, modern decor & according to someone here (do a text search) very good. We passed it while there.

The terrace bar & rest. at the Europa Regina hotel is supposed to have beautiful views too. Enjoy!

We ate at Taverna la Fenice in May and it was very romantic with good food and service; more elegant than other places we went. I don't think it is on a canal, however, but it is in a very quiet area. We ate inside because the terrace was fully booked.

I asked when the opera hall was to open, and they said December had been reported, and that they were completely reserved for that time period, so that might affect your decision.

HI and found these restaurant recommedations very helpful since will be traveling to Italy next year. Zagat's listings are a little limited.. How do you reserve these restaurants in advance? Do they have websites, or do you have to call long distance to Italy? Will most "major" hotels make dinner reservations in advance prior to your arrival? I'd love to eat at Ristorante da Raffaele... THANKS!!

Your hotel will be able to make reservations. Antico Martini has a website www.anticomartini.com where you can look at the menu & make reservations.

mclaurie-Thanks for the info....

Gard,
I went to your web page and I must say it is one of the nicest I have seen. Excellent. I loved all your pictures. Thank you

I'm another Da Raffaele fan.
I don't know what it is about the place, it's just more than the sum of its parts, helped along by its position on a quiet little canal where you can sit outside in fine weather.
Inside is less of an experience.

I'll second the recommendation to stop by the Europa and Regina and have a drink on their floating dock overlooking the grand canal and the Santa Maria Della Salute church. Magical.

jmv wrote
>...stop by the Europa and Regina and have a drink on their floating dock overlooking the grand canal and the Santa Maria Della Salute church. Magical.<

I'll say. A dock floating in the air.