Venice, on my Wife's special birthday, Dinner where?
 

My wife and I will be in Venice in July. This is a special birthday. She is coming back from cancer treatments. I want to make it great! I need to know of a restaurant that will make this time the best. Thanks.

My husband and I spent part of out honeymoon in Venice last year and loved the city. We would recommend that you and your wife first spend a relaxing hour or so over a (not cheap) cocktail at "Cafe Florian" in St Marks Square at sunset. The music and passers-by make it a truly memorable occasion. We followed that with lovely dinner at "La Fenice" which is located next to the theater which burned down and is being rebuilt. We ate outside and the service and food were wonderful. One other highlight of our trip was the gondola ride we took at dusk the following night - there is no substitute. It's a beautiful city - have a wonderful time!

My wife and I just got back from Italy. In Venice we had a really great meal. It was not cheap (approx $125 for 2), but a great treat with local foods, great preparation, etc. It is away from the center of Venice which we liked because there were no crowds. We walked from our Hotel (The Danieli)and really got to see the locals and where they live. Beautiful quiet streets, and small parks, with nothing but Italians going about their business. The walk back on the boardwalk back to our hotel is something we will never forget. It was late at night and the moonlight guided our walk along the water. <BR>anyway, enough babbling... <BR> <BR>hostaria da franz <BR>di G. Franco Gasparini & C s.a.s <BR>Venezia - Castello, Fond S. Isepo, 754 <BR>Tel. 5220861 <BR> <BR>Make reservations <BR> <BR>I took this info off the business card. <BR>Any of the nicer hotels should be able to tell you where this is, and what they think as well.. <BR>Good Health!!! <BR> <BR>Let me know when you get back if you went and what you thought..

I agree with comments from the other posters. Definitely splurge on a gondola ride. Although they are extremely overpriced, it is very romantic and it is an experience so very unique to Venice. I've heard that if you get a gondolier away from the main canals near St. Mark's Square you may get a better price. <BR> <BR>Also, definitely sit at one of the cafes in St. Mark's Square in the evening (before or after your dinner) and have a drink or coffee while listening to a 4-piece orchestra. There are actually two very famous cafes across the square from each other, both having orchestras -- Florian's and Quadri's. These are the two famous, and opulent, coffee houses of Venice. If you sit, you must order...and it is expensive. But I think it is worth it at least once. St. Mark's Square is really magical at night. <BR> <BR>As for a great restaurant, we had some great meals but unfortunately I can't remember names. We didn't go anywhere famous and expensive because we had a budget -- we just wondered about until we found something that appealed to us. I do remember one restaurant we ate at near the Rialto Bridge -- called Trattoria alla Madonna. It isn't extremely fancy if that's what you're looking for, but it was very nice and the food was very good. But if you really want something special and more on the expensive side since it is a special occassion, I suggest you go to the library and look in some travel books...usually you can find listings for some of the best restaurants. For example, red Michelen guides are very reliable. They rate by a star system, and if a restaurant is even listed in it with one star, that is a very prestigious honor. A great book I found on Venice is called "Venice and the Veneto" by Eyewitness Travel Guides. They provide many restaurant recommendations and descriptions (not to mention info on landmarks, hotels, and also some great maps of Venice).

consider the outdoor rooftop resturant at the Hotel Danieli -- food is excellent and the view is really spectacular. Try to get seated next to the outside wall for the best view even if takes a little "extra". hard to find a more romantic spot.

<BR>I agree on Danieli - it's really lovely looking out over the canal as the sun sets. The food is very good but also check out the Hotel Monaco. Their dining terrace is right on the canal and we thought the food was better than Danieli - and more romantic, too. Yes - do have a gondola ride - even if you can't really afford it!

Definitely agree with the roof of the Danieli, but to me the very most special experience would be to go out to the Hotel Cipriani--on its own island across from the city. Enjoy <BR>

Wayne, as a 17-yr.cancer survivor, I know just how special these birthdays can be. Trust me - every place is full of wonder... have a glorious time, you can't miss...Judy <BR>

I must agree with all the above recommendations for a birthday. They are all "musts": i.e. Cafe Florian with the evening music, Hotel Danielli. One thing I want to mention is you may want to consider "Harry's Bar". We went there every night we were there for a Bellini and I guess the bartender (who has been there years) finally got to know us. One night we decided to stay for dinner but everyone that came in to the bar told us there was no way---they had called earlier and were booked. It never hurts to ask, I say, so I did ask our bartender if we could stay for dinner. Presently we were escorted upstairs and were even able to meet Mr. Cipriani. We met so many interesting people there. Anyway, that is just one more suggestion to make her birthday more memorable is to visit one of Hemingway's spots...have a great stay!

The only disappointing meal I've ever had in Venice was at the above mentionned La Modanna---maybe it was just an off night because it came highly recommended. Caravella is nice as is Cortile--an outdoor cafe. But, still vote for the Danieli roof--I like Harry's Bar--the restaurant is upstairs, reserve well ahead, and another good on is La Fenice next to the Teatro La Fenice. You used to be able to have a drink at Harry's and then take the private boat over to Locanda Cipriani for dinner---I'm assuming they are still owned by Mr. Cipriani. Bellinis are great!! <BR>

We love Venice. Every moment was special when we went last fall. A unique, small restaurant is Al Covo, about 3 bridges and 10 minutes walk from the Danieli, away from St. Marks Square. Ask your concierge to make reservations. I've been there three times, three different years, always an excellent meal. Your table can last all evening . . . we ate outside and enjoyed it. This is not a big, elaborate restaurant, and that is why we liked it. Best wishes for a special time. I feel like I am really living when I am in Venice. <BR>

A word of warning about St Mark's Square - we were there last August, and found that the stench of pigeon poo was enough to put anyone off their dinner! We could stand it long enough to have a quick ice-cream, but no way would we have spent a fortune to sit there any longer than ten minutes with our stomachs heaving!! <BR> <BR>Off the beaten track, there is a great garden restaurant near the Academy in Dorsoduro called Locanda Montin - maybe not the best food in Venice but certainly full of character. Ezra Pound and Peggy Guggenheim used to dine there. And you must sample a typical venetian aperitif (Ombra) at Gia Schiavone wine bar, also in Dorsoduro. <BR>Buon compleanno to your wife!!

Thanks everyone I am overwhelmed with the response! With what I have been through as a caregiver, pigeon poo won't bother me. But, I appreciate the note. Any other comments on Hotel Cipriani would be helpful. Thanks again.

Wayne, The Cipriani is in Fodor's Selected Hotels of Europe--we were there almost 10 years ago so my info is not so current, but they must have a website. At the time it was a Relais and Chateaux hotel and I'm sure they have a website. It's very expensive, but about the same as the Danieli--it's over on the tip of Giudecca Island opposite the Piazza S. Marco, but reached in minutes on the private motor boat. It's about 100 rooms with a swimming pool and 3 acres of grounds. I hope this helps---been written up in Gourmet mag several times--I'm sure you'll find info more current. And, pigeons are a way of life in Venice--if we don't like them, then we tourists shouldn't feed them!!! Have a wonderful, once in a lifetime trip. <BR>

<BR>Dear Wayne <BR> <BR>The nicest restaurant we found in Venice on our trip in May, was the Cafe deFranz. Someone else gave you the address in a previous message. As far as the Chipriani is concerned, We were told the island hotel is no longer owned by Chipriani though it still carries his name. We went there while trying to find Harry's Bar. It has beautiful grounds. No matter where you stay or where you dine, my best wishes for an exciting trip, I'm sure you both deserve it!

Just to beat the dead horse one more time......Harry's Bar is not at the Cipriani Hotel, it's on the other side of the Canal near San Marco. I'd love to hear any more recent comments about the Cipriani Hotel, however. Another possibility to consider is staying over on the Lido if Venice seems to hectic for your wife to relax and rest as well. God bless her----she's in good company! <BR>