WE will be in Venice for Thanksgiving, and wanted to splurge( but not more than 80 or $100 for two) on a nice meal in a romantic, cozy, traditional-"translation-real" Italian resturants. Can anyone provide suggestions?

Well, Sandy, $80-100 in Venice can hardly be qualified as a splurge, specially if one has fish/seafood as the main entrée <BR> <BR>Anyway, you may consider one of the following: <BR> <BR> - Da Remigio - Salizzada dei Greci, Castello 3416 - Tel: 041/5230089; closed Monday and Tuesday - cc accepted <BR> <BR> - Alla Colomba - Piscina di Frezzeria, S. Marco 1665 - Tel: 041/5221175; open daily - cc accepted <BR> <BR> You eat very well in any of them. Reservations are essential at the da Remigio and recommended at the Alla Colomba. The Alla Colomba is more elegant and, if the weather is ok, the outsidde terrace might be open. The speciality is the "cartoccio" and some fixed price menus might be offered. Portions are generous. Walls are decorated with paintings for sale. The da Remigio is always crowded by loyal locals looking for reliable and tasty fish and meat dishes. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

Good afternoon, Sandy <BR>I can only recommend a ristorante which <BR>we have used a couple of times and that <BR>is the ristorante POSTE VECIE, which is <BR>located in the Railto Pescheria, this <BR>is an excellant ristorante, reservations <BR>are a must and would suggest you find <BR>the ristorante during the day as it would be difficult to find at night the <BR>first time. Price would naturally <BR>be higher but has excellant fish dishes. <BR>Richard of La Grange Park, Il..

The Corte Sconta - a locals restaurant; easily one of the best we've ever eaten in. We are going again next year and definitely plan to eat at this wonderful restaurant. Don't think our price would be relevant - 5 years ago; but the "catch of the day" was excellent; good recommendation by the waitress.

Paolo is right, of course... $100 for two can be easily spent on the appetizers only... <BR>But be careful, don't accept the invitation of a well dressed Italian, who will grab you in the middle of the street, inviting you to his restaurant... And generally, ask for reccomendations. Some of these restaurants are tourist-traps, mediocre food for high price. <BR>Amik.

Do watch out for hidden charges too. We were in Venice last weekend and had to be careful not to be ripped off by greedy restaurant owners. Study the small print on the menu before you commit yourself. <BR> <BR>Most restaurants have a cover charge (typically Lit 3000 per person) and some add a compulsory service charge of up to 15 per cent. One place insisted on charging us Lit 17000 which the owner said was service, but the waiter said was just a mark-up that none of the serving staff received any money from. <BR> <BR>Caveat emptor.

Here are two I liked <BR>Restaurant Ai Mercanti, San Marco 4346, phone 041 523 8269. Set menu. A la carte would have been more expensive. Very good food in attractive casual setting on a narrow street in San Marco area. <BR>Restaurant Da Raffaele, Ponte delle Ostreghe, 2347, San Marco. phone 041 523 2317. Full dinner about $40-$50 pp, careful choosing can make it less, and they don't frown if you just order pasta and no main course. Attractive setting along a small canal, with boats passing by. Casual, but not jeans in my opinion. Dine outside in good weather (probably not in Nov.). Excellent fish, other dishes available. Restaurant is next door to Do Pozzi hotel, hotel guests get a discount I was told.