drkathej

My husband and I will be in Venice for three nights in May. We love good food, wine and would like to go to some nice places. Although we don't want to break the bank, we are okay with fine dining and the prices.
I would like opinions regarding some of the restaurants I have discovered. We are staying in the Dorsuduro area but are okay venturing out.
Antiche Carampane--sounds like a definite.
Does anyone have feedback re: Al Covo, Da Raffaele, Agli Alboretti or Vini da Gigio? Open to other suggestions as well.
(Does seem like many are closed Mondays and Sundays--we will be there Saturday thru Tuesday AM e.g. Corte Sconta, Alle Testiere are closed)

Moderator3

Moved from Technical Support.

gracie04

Consider downloading Elizabeth Minchilli’s Eat Italy app. You can’t go wrong with her suggestions.

I love La Zucca near the Stan Stae vaporetto stop. I also like Vecio Fritolin.

Enjoy your trip!

RJD

We like Al Covo. We have eaten there twice most recently in 2015. Excellent food and service with a low key ambiance.

letsgeaux

We have been to Al Covo and thought it was great. It is our favorite of the limited number of restaurants we have been to in Venice. We are going back to Venice in April. We are planning to go to Alle Testiere but that is one that will be closed when you are there. For our last night (which happens to be our anniversary) we have reservations at Alle Corone which is affiliated with our hotel (Ai Cavaliere). If you like exotic seafood, Al Covo is the place.

tuscanlifeedit

Osteria Oliva Nera is our favorite.

PalenQ

Venetian experts- do Venice restaurants or some still have table charges to get a table?

PalenQ

Venetian restaurants last I time I was there ofthen had table charges - many did not - I think a table charge is a slap in your face - never saw this anywhere or is it common in italy (not being one who often eats at restaurants).

Pepper_von_snoot

A Beccafico in the Campo San Stefano. Right over the Accademia Bridge from Dorsoduro. $$$$ Wear Prada.

Thin

Pepper_von_snoot

La Zucca is really good, but it is a tiny place and hard to find.

Thin

PalenQ

Is there still a Wendy's near San Marcos? Assume it's gone - was like a sore thumb.

Peter_S_Aus

Pal, some but not all resteraunts charge “coperto e pane”, cover (tablecloth) and bread. It is not much, maybe five euro max. You are liable, even if there is no cloth, and you decline the bread. Look on it as a sort of rental for the table, and the charge will be shown on the menu (probably on the last page, small font).

You can dine at say 730, and enjoy the table until the place closes. Staff are not trying to turn over tables too much.
Some places have two sittings for dinner (La Bitta in Dorsoduro for example), first at 7:00, second service at 9:00.

PalenQ

thanks Peter - you travel a lot in Italy - are table charges common elsewhere. View it as a bread charge I guess.

NYCFoodSnob

Pal, do you have nothing better to do than try to hijack a thread? You're being rude to the OP with your silly off-topic questions.

Venice in May is gorgeous. You've named some famous places. Three nights is not enough time to eat in all of them.

Al Covo does not specialize in "exotic" fish any more than any other restaurant in Venice. In fact, Al Covo offers some great meat dishes, especially on the nights when the Rialto Market is closed.

I wouldn't run to out-of-the-way La Zucca, unless pumpkin with cheese is your thing. It's a fine restaurant, not particularly Venetian, but way overrated on U.S. travel boards. Mostly foreign eaters there, speaking rather loud English.

Agli Alboretti is now run by the son of a Vini da Gigio owner. Hard to go wrong at either.

Peter_S_Aus

We have eaten at Ai Mercanti several times, for special events. Good service, a most interesting menu. Might be worth a look. In San Marco.

greytop13

+1 for Vini da Gigio. Poste Vecie is also one of our favorites.

drkathej

Thank you for the replies and suggestions. Am thinking that we will go to Antuiche Carampane, Al Covo and for our third night: Osteria Oliva Nera, Aui Mercanti or Vini da Vigio look interesting
And, thank you NYCFoodSnob for your comment about hijacking my thread. This has happened to me before and I don't appreciate it either!

jangita

Another vote for Vini da Gigio. And Alle Testiere is a great solid standby for perfect seafood.
We had a disappointing meal at La Zucca (fall of 2016)

Keep in mind that at any of the above mentioned places, reservations are a must.

Dayle

Another fan of Al Covo. My visit was long ago in 2005, but it was memorable. Excellent food and service. Lovely couple are the owners.