Food Review
Each morning we had the included breakfast from the hotel we stayed at. Typical continental breakfast, cold meats, cheese, fruit, yogurt, bread etc Due to the heat and the way our activities worked out we didn't have lunch out anywhere so can't comment on a typical place to eat in the afternoon.
On the first evening we asked the guys at the hotel for a recommendation and they suggested Trattoria Al Vecio Portal. This was just a two minute walk from the hotel we were staying at and had a nice local feel about it.
Starters - I had dried beef with a smoked cheddar cheese. The combination of the beef with the smokiness of the cheddar was lovely. Decent sized starter and quite filling. The missus had tomato and mozzarella with oil and lettuce.
First Course - We both opted for Ravioli in a tomato and herb sauce. Home made ravioli (aubergine and something else), good flavours and quite filling as well.
Service was good from the waiting staff and as we had passed here earlier in the day, the guy we spoke to (presuming the owner) he passed our table to say hello which i thought was a nice touch. We were given a table outside at the front of the restaurant which in Venice is typically on the street so you will have some tourists walking past as you eat but not the great hoards in the main areas.
Price 84 euros with tip on top
Second night we went to Trattoria Pizzeria Alla Fonte and we both decided to have a pizza. Nice enough food to eat but nothing to write home about. We also ordered a couple of sides of cheese selection and fried potatoes (chips) fine but not wasn't overly impressed. Finished up with a Creme Caramel (looked shop bought) My missus found it tricky to attract the waiters attention when we required the bill and had to be chased up to bring our drinks to us. Not somewhere where we'd recommend.
Price 68 euros with small tip on top
Third night we went to Ristorante Alla Conchiglia.
Starters - We both had the Bruschetta. Simple but tasty starter although one gripe was that it was fairly cool (we had a warmed Bruschetta on the last night which tasted better)
First Course - We both picked the same options off the menu (carbonara, spaghelli and tortellini with ham and cream sauce) so instead of having the same I picked the tortellini and the missus had the spaghetti. Her spaghetti tasted fine but the tortellini was phenomenal. I enjoy my food at the best of times but this was exceptional. I made the mistake of offering the missus a bite of mine.....and she loved it as well.
Second Course - on the recommendation of the waiter I went for the seafood skewers. A mixture of fish and peppers, something lighter to finish things off. Missus didn't have anything.
Service was alright again but again there was a delay in bringing drinks (while folk next to us got theirs) and the missus caught the waiters perving on every woman's arse as it went by! Nice setting by the canal though and there was a guitar player (busker) nearby but was quite pleasant.
Price 94 euros with tip on top.
Last night we opted to just sit at one of the bars outside our hotel Al Gabbiano. Waterfront restaurant so we got the best view while eating here.
Starters - Missus opted for Bruschetta (warmed) Can't go wrong with such a simple dish while i had the mixed meat platter (big portion) wafer thin smoked and dried meats but very tasty.
First Course - Spaghetti again for the missus and I went for the tortellini in a carbonara sauce. Good sized portions as with the starters but from my point of view disappointing compared to the night before. Certainly appeared to be more supermarket bought than home made but on the waterfront possibly trying to keep price down while catering for larger numbers than some of the restaurants we visited.
Dessert - I just some vanilla ice cream to finish.
Service - The waiter we had was fantastic, attentive but not obtrusive and also had a bit of humour about him as well so made the dining experience that much better.
Price 108 euros with tip on top.
We didn't go too far afield in the evenings as we'd already walked a fair amount during the day with our excursions so can only comment on places in and around where our hotel was.
We did stop for afternoon drinks (it would be rude not to) at Rialto bridge and surprisingly they were quite reasonably priced even compared to the south lagoon bars along the front. 4 euros for an aperol spritz. Quite booze-filled as well. One thing with these places though if you only order drinks you'll be put on the restaurant side, when outside and its only if you're eating that you'll be sat at the side of the grand canal.
Can post up other things like our organised trips later on after work if you wish.
