jubilada

Judy_rosa, a just asked a good friend who are at vina da gigio in November. She is very well travelled and food knowledgable. Her comment" I wish I had paid more attention to the bad Yelp reviews. It was sub par and overpriced."

She much preferred Al Promessi Sposi.

TDudette

Hi Judy_Rosa and excuse if this is a dupe (I quit reading when the "fight" started).

DH and I were in Lake Como on an Easter Sunday. Our hotel posted its special Easter Sunday lunch when I made the reservations months in advance so I'm going to assume your hotel doesn't have a resto? Do ask the hotel folks for their recommendations. Again, sorry if I missed that you've done this.

Judy_Rosa

Hi TDudette - we're staying at the Rialto Hotel - I did contact the hotel and they recommended Mario Alla Fava. I believe they do have a restaurant onsite and found it odd that they didn't recommend their own restaurant.

I read reviews about Mario Alla Fava and they were mixed, so I'm undecided about that one for now.

Sorry about the "fight"....wish it hadn't happened. I've only ever had positive experiences on this forum, and have always considered everyone here kind and patient with my many, many questions. So that was definitely a first for me. Hopefully the last!

Judy_Rosa

rialtogirl and jubilada - thank you so much for sticking with me on this, much appreciated!

I'm going to email both Al Promessi Sposi and Fiaschetteria Toscana and see if they're open and can take a reservation.

For Easter Monday, we're thinking of doing a cichetti prowl, and since we're staying close to the Rialto Bridge I'm thinking that's a good place to do it, then grab our luggage from the hotel and head to the train station for our 2:30 train to Rome.

So maybe Fiaschetteria Toscana might be my choice for Sunday, and Ai Promessi Sposi for cichetti on Monday.

rialtogrl

Honestly, I think you are better off calling Ai Promessi Sposi than trying to email. Or have the Hotel Rialto call for you.

I ate at Vini da Gigio in October and the food was very good. But, I also thought it was pricey. However my idea of pricey is sometimes different than others.

Easter Monday is crazy busy. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the train station. Take the #2 vaporetto not the #1 to save time. You could also go to the train station early, leave your bags in the left luggage, and go for your cichetti closer to the train station. Or just wander around and then pick up a nice picnic to eat on the train.

Blueskiestwo

If you would consider thinking outside of the box, a nice casual alternative that is normally open on Sunday (I would still double check that for Easter, though) is
Gam Gam Kosher Restaurant in the Cannaregio area.

I stumbled upon it while walking around the island a few years ago. It was reasonably priced and I just checked, is coming up well rated on Tripadvisor.

TDudette

If the Rialto folks didn't say, they either aren't having one or are full. I agree about asking them to make reservations for you.

Quickly skimming, Easter Monday VAP and trains will probably be on holiday schedules, FYI.

We were in Bellagio on Easter Sunday and folks were out and about and many stores were open. We were surprised.

Judy_Rosa

rialtogirl - good idea on the left luggage. I thought it would be easy to just grab our bags from the hotel and take a water taxi (or walk) to the station, but I like the idea of going for cichetti near the station - less stressful than trying to eat, grab luggage, find transportation and arrive at the train station with enough time to figure out track location etc.

Any suggestions on places to eat near the train station?

TDudette - we purchased our train tickets to Rome a few weeks ago, so we are all set. What is VAP? Vaporetto?

Is it really difficult/far walking from the Rialto hotel to the train station?

Blueskiestwo - thanks for the recommendation, will definitely take a look. Thanks!

JulieEC

I think you could walk it if you have packs. I'm not sure I could imagine pulling my wheelie to the station. Or maybe you get close, but not too close, and walk the remainder of the way.

How fortunate for you to be able to spend a day in Venice. My only advice, wander a bit. And away from the path that leads from the Rialto to San Marco. You'll see a different Venice.

I can't help on the restaurants. Our meals in Venice have always been a bit forgettable. But no worries... that's why you are going to Rome!

Pepper_von_snoot

There are 20 million eating establishments, including McDonald's, on the Lista di Spagna.

You can take the vaporetto from Rialto to Ferrovia to get to Santa Lucia Station.

Keith and I had a snack at Gam Gam when we stayed at Palazzo Cendon near Tre Archi.

There is a wine bar/restaurant right next door to the Holocaust Memorial in the ghetto.

Good idea about going to the ghetto for a meal on a Christian holiday!

The ghetto is one of my favourite places in Venice--nice and quiet!


Thin

rialtogrl

If you are taking a water taxi to the train station, no problem, it will be quick and easy.

I would not walk, mostly because you would encounter a tsunami of people on the way. Not easy even without bags.

Eating around the ghetto would also be my suggestion. Gam Gam or the place in the ghetto, or go up to Fondamenta Misercordia. The Lista di Spagna will be where the tsunami of people is - allow time to get back to the train station.

There is a new wine bar IN the train station. You can get wine and sandwiches there too.

Judy_Rosa

rialtogirl - I'm impressed that you know so many details about Venice, right down to a new wine bar inside the train station! I think we'll take your advice and use a water taxi to the train station after we check out of the hotel and then wander around that general area until we leave for Rome. Maybe a sandwich for the road is all we need.

JulieEC - yes, we're spending 5 days in Rome - I might post another question about restaurants in Rome, but there are undoubtedly dozens of posts on that topic. I recently discovered Chowhound and Elizabeth Minchilli's website and there are more restaurants I want to eat at in Rome than days I'll be there!

It's unfortunate that we'll only have the one full day in Venice - but so excited that we GET TO SPEND a full in day in Venice!!!

Pepper_von_Snoot - not sure where Tre Archi is, need to study my map more before we leave!

rialtogrl

Judy I am in and out a couple of times a year and if there is one thing I notice its a new wine bar.

And if you don't have enough time you can always go back!

Judy_Rosa

Lucky you!

Judy_Rosa

UPDATE:

I can't find an email address for Ai Promessi Sposi, but did email the following restaurants:

Fiaschetteria Toscana (waiting to hear back)

Osteria da Alberto (waiting to hear back)

Osteria Alle Testeiere (heard back - they are closed Easter Sunday)

Ristorante al Covo (waiting to hear back)

Fingers crossed that one of these comes back with a positive response.

Ai Promessi Sposi might be a bust since I can't find an email addy for them.

Judy_Rosa

Ristorante al Covo responded, they are open Easter Sunday....BOOKED!

What a relief!!

annhig

phew.

we can all heave a sigh of relief now, Judy.

[it looks very nice as well -

http://www.ristorantealcovo.com/web/menu/Default.aspx ]

Judy_Rosa

LOL - yes we can annhig!

annw

I was about to post recs but that is great that you are booked! Good work and good planning ahead, really.

Love love love Venice. Agree about getting about in Canareggio while you are there -- not far from train station (S. Lucia).

Judy_Rosa

Thanks annw!