Bistrot de Venise — Restaurant in Venice

Rarely have I ever left such a poor review. (Actually this is my first 1⭐️ review- I think). It is not in my nature. I feel the need to warn others of our experience. The extremely rude, on a scale of 1 to 10 COUNT a 10, exchange has left me sour. We experienced such an obnoxious attitude from one of the so-called managers that it exceeds anything in my recent or long-term memory, this upon entering the restaurant, two-feet-in to be exact. It shocked us! Yes, even my teenagers were blown away! Facts: We got to the Bistrot at about 2:30pm. Upon entering, we were told by a cheeky bartender (later-declared manager) that the restaurant had just closed. He added a couple of 'arrivederci's', and at first, I thought he was trying to be cute...silly me! We expressed our genuine, but friendly, disappointment: 'Bummer, we just crossed Venice to get here; you know, bridges, tourists, tempting windows, it’s not essy to cross this beautiful city). By the way, I said, it might be helpful to include your hours on your Google profile so that your customers know...' At which point, the same, now very, aggressive, macho-manager, declared that we were out-of-line telling him how to do his job! Excuse me? A capable manager (shall I add, of a Michelin Guide restaurant?) should, at least, provide relevant information for clients on THE Google profile!!! I reckon, 2 minutes of his time- a loose estimate. His reaction, along with the additional 5-8 arrivederci's, was way out of line! We left aghast! It took me 30 minutes to get over it! Imagine, we had hoped for a nice lunch, in a MICHELIN GUIDE restaurant, and now I was stuck on this offensive exchange because I had dared to say that he should take two minutes of his precious time to update his hours! Holy cannoli, we may be in Venice, we may have arrived at closing hour, but what kind of restaurant manager takes manners to such sunken depths?!?!? No problem! There are plenty of other FABULOUS places to eat in Venice, thank goodness! We recommend La Colombina or try Terazza Danieli, for example, both impeccable; places where the staff was as one might hope for: friendly, welcoming, polite, polished, well-mannered, as one would expect! The food, amazing. The ambiance, as expected! I'm sure there are others, but we only stayed 3 days, just check your options. Bistrot de Venice seems to have other 1 star reviews.

PS To the macho manager: please (per favore) don't reply with a sugar-coated attempt to minimize such unacceptable behaviour. The lack of couth displayed during our very, very short stay is proof of your self-assurance that when there are hundreds of tourists, your attitude does not matter. A successful business relies upon the value that is provided, consistently. The attitude you displayed is a clear sign that you should reassess your position, and invest in your personnel, in training, in communication skills. One day you may regret this over-confident, discourteous manner that offends clients that come to a Michelin Guide restaurant with certain...

The food was very good at this restaurant. The lack of stars reflects the racism that my family and I experienced. Disclaimer, this is my first time in Venice, and I didn’t realize how long it can take to get from point A to B here. I was 18 minutes late. When we arrived, one of the owner’s sons greeted us with rudeness and curtness and was incredibly patronizing. Completely inappropriate and unnecessary behavior. It was almost laughable how rude he was. I was okay if they just said they could not accommodate; we were late, so I understood being little annoyed with us, and we would have found another restaurant — no problem. But they settled on seating us outside, which I preferred. As we were escorted to our table, we passed many empty tables to sit next to the only table, in the back near the “black-face” lamp. It was so ridiculous it was funny, lol. And clearly intentional. Why did we stay? I’m not sure. We were trying to not make a fuss. But I would say if you’re a person of color or someone who supports positive cultural and racial relations, maybe skip this restaurant. They are clearly racist. And I’m an American saying that.

UPDATE* Thank you to the restaurant for reading my comments and for your speedy reply. It is as rude as your service and very much anticipated. Furthermore, I do not need a lesson in Venetian Blackamoor art a.k.a. Italian black face, recently criticized as a sign of racism. An artistic response to Europeans encounter with the Moors—dark-skinned Muslims from North Africa and the Middle East who came to occupy various parts of Europe during the Middle Ages. Though I understand that is it a part of the rich artistic culture in Venice, your staff's seating placement was not lost on your black patrons. That was my point. That you intentionally wanted to insult us by seating your only Black American guests of the evening next to blackamoor art. It was a subtle insult, but insulting nonetheless. Also, my reservation was not canceled. I was 18 mins late and ate at your restaurant. I have pictures of us there and the food. But still, I stand by my statements and wish to give future patrons a perspective from black guests on our treatment at your 30-year restaurant. Hopefully others will not experience this moving forward. Good luck with...

Bistrot de Venise restaurant exceeded our expectations with its exceptional food and outstanding staff. The dining experience was a true delight, thanks in large part to Dara, who went above and beyond to make our evening memorable. However, it is worth noting that the entire team demonstrated remarkable professionalism and attentiveness, ensuring that every aspect of our dining experience was top-notch.

The food at Bistrot de Venise was nothing short of amazing. Every dish was expertly prepared and bursting with flavors that showcased the essence of Venetian cuisine. From delectable seafood to exquisite pasta dishes, each bite was a culinary delight. The attention to detail and quality ingredients truly elevated the dining experience to a whole new level.

In addition to the outstanding food and exceptional staff, the lively banter and humor of the wait staff added an extra layer of enjoyment to our evening. Their playful rivalry, particularly when it came to their favorite soccer teams, created a vibrant and jovial atmosphere that made the night even more memorable. The wait staff's witty remarks and friendly interactions brought a sense of camaraderie to the dining experience, making us feel like part of the Bistrot de Venise family. Their infectious energy and shared laughter truly enhanced the overall ambiance and contributed to an unforgettable and enjoyable evening.

We highly recommend Bistrot de Venise to anyone seeking a remarkable dining experience in Venice. It combines exceptional food, outstanding staff, and a lively atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression. Dining at Bistrot de Venise is an opportunity to indulge in Venetian culinary delights while being warmly embraced by a team that goes above and beyond to create a memorable experience for...