Al Canton dei Artisti — Restaurant in Venice

CUSTOMER BEWARE If you are looking for quality and authentic Italian cuisine, you’d better avoid eating at this place. Reasons: We were recommended by the waiter to order rib-eye steak for two, as per the menu the cost is 5 euro for 100 grams. We wanted it for only one person but the waiter said it’s already cut with the price 37 euro, and it would be enough for 2 persons, so we said yes. When the steak came, it was obvious that it was not a rib-eye, it was a T-bone steak. And it was obviously not 500 grams (as per the waiter told us), it was more like 200-300 grams. In addition, for 5 euro/100 grams, 37 euro should give us more than 500 grams, but we went with it anyway because we wanted to relax on vacation. As the result, we left hungry. Once the food was brought to our table, we weren’t sure if it was our order, as in point 1, it was not a rib-eye, and not 500 grams steak. I know what 500 gram steak is, I order it from my local butcher twice a month. We asked the waiter, he tried to tell us it was what we ordered, but I’m sure they knew what they were doing and they didn’t expect us to know, they tried to buy us out by giving us a couple free drinks to not give bad reviews I guess. The steak wasn’t cooked or seasoned well, the vegetables neither. It was TOUGH! It’s the worse steak we’ve ever had.

As I said, if you want a quality authentic Italian food, avoid this place. To prove my point, the owner of this place is Chinese (we asked the waiter). You can go and have a look inside, he will be there. I don’t usually give reviews to restaurants but this place is definitely a scam and I needed to do this. In my life I have never had to question a restaurant ever, since I’m not a picky person and I don’t like conflict. But in this case, it felt so obvious that I was getting ripped off. I don’t know how they have such a...

Pushed to Up-sale. Very attentive staff, but our waiter pushed us ‘Americans’ in order to increase the check. Started when I selected a menu item (Ravioli with ham & cheese) and he frowned and shook his head to which I asked why? Never experienced that before in ordering, unless I asked about a dish. He said don’t do that try the ravioli with scallops, (much higher price). My wife was going to make a pick and he stated she should try the sea bass and that could be split. I mentioned I was not that hungry and did not want much. He later asks us if we wanted French fries or salad with the fish? , as if it came with it. Turns out it did not…extra charge! The ravioli with scallops were just okay, then he brings out a huge fish for splitting. The sea bass looked like it could serve 3-4 people. It was very bland even though he and we dressed it up with everything. We could not finish it. Think it was sold by size or weight as that alone was 45 Euros. When it came time to pay the check he said he would take it, and we did by CC. Once paid we were going to leave when he bent over near us to say “you can give me a tip of whatever you want “. I was Surprised he was so bold! And I said I would have put it on the card…to which he replied “I will take cash”. Felt forced to do this, even though I know I had a choice, but he made us uncomfortable with his pushing us for a tip. Nice atmosphere, attentive wait staff, food just okay, but pushing for a tip and upselling made it expensive and would not have us...

The logic of this restaurant is simple: you go with the flow and order the way they suggest, you will have a fantastic experience. Maybe we were not in luck that day when we walked in with my wife being a bit sick, the waiter kept pushing us to order wine (even I kept saying that my wife was not feeling well and was taking headache medicine - either the waiter did not understand English that well or he wasn't listening at all) and to try their specialty dish (fish). We refused to order any wine, to make amend his disappointment we went for the specialty fish. Although I admit that the taste of the fish is decent, it is not that "special" for any widely-traveled person out there, as one can easily find such cooking in southeast Asia. The real issue is the portion was way too much for 2 people - when they claimed it would be for 2 people. Oh wait, the cost is determined by weight, so no wonder, and the end result was a nearly 100-euro dish. The bottom line of this restaurant is that 1) you better prepare to drink when you enter, or they will show you an ugly face; and 2) ask carefully for anything that the price isn't in black and white. As for us, there will be no next time at this...