Le Campane — Restaurant in Venice

The two restaurants that were recommended by our AirBnB nearby were both full so we dined here. We should’ve noticed that the photos of food on the menu and half empty interior were signs of a touristy establishment but alas. The inside is adorable and ambiance was nice (aside from the cheesy instrumental 80s ballads playing in the background and what I assume was the manager pacing furiously in front of our table the entire meal).

I was going to order the steak Florentine (@7€ per 100g) but I was told I had to order 600g or larger. A 21oz steak is twice as large as I wanted and expressed that. The waiter replied it was 50€. I said I understood and wasn’t asking the cost, I asked for a smaller steak and he then abruptly recommended another meat dish, which was not appetizing to me.

We ordered bruschetta and six arrived. No seasoning, no basil, no olive oil, just chopped tomatoes on bread (not even toasted). It was unimpressive. Husband ordered the spaghetti and meatballs and I the spaghetti carbonara. When our meal was delivered we put Parmesan (looked like the kind from a shaker can) on it and prepared to eat.

Meanwhile the pacing man delivered plates to the table diagonal from us and the woman was pushing the food around on her plate while the man put parmesan on his. Next thing the pacing man sharply turned to us and started abruptly and firmly asking what I had ordered and what my food was. We responded, startled. Apparently he had mixed up the orders. The hostess informed him and he promptly took their food away and gave it to people outside. (In America you do not remove food from one table and give it to other guests- especially when it has been touched by the patron!)

Alarmed and now trying to ignore both the pacing man and the other diners, we tasted our food. The spaghetti and meatballs were pretty good (I doubt the meatballs were homemade as the uniform shape, size and texture seemed store bought) but they were fine. The tomato sauce had a wonderfully fresh flavor. The carbonara was ok. The bacon in it was fatty and limp, not crispy enough for my liking, but the sauce was ok. No one came by to check on us or our food for the remainder of the meal (of course the pacing man was still up and down the aisle constantly).

Prices were average, $50 for one bottle of water, bruschetta, and two pasta dishes. The bruschetta was most disappointing especially as it was the same cost as the pasta.

We won’t eat here again during our five day stay here, but it wasn’t terrible. The gelato shop up the street...

Me and my partner together for 29 years this year was at this restaurant last night enjoying the place and food until the service staff , owner or manager? stands outside in scruffy old looking coat smoking his head of came up to our table and threatening behaviour was accusing myself to my girlfriend who I have 3 kids with of being at that restaurant 1 year ago with another woman and a young family. He was telling my partner to kick me out off the hotel we were staying at and to call the police. He was adoment and ruined the whole experience. We had to laugh at him and my partner knows I wasn't there a year ago is we have never spent a night apart. I said what you been taking mate cocain or smoking heroine. I also told other staff he was keeping people away from restaurant has he had a very bad attitude. And smelled funny. They looked like they knew he was un professional and we witnessed him talking to them like dirt on the bottom of his shoe. Could have been a good ending of an amazing experience but he spoilt it. He told us he hated his job. He was trying to wreck someone's experience of Venice but got his eyes wiped because the joke was on him because we could see his pathetic life was getting him down. Here's a picture of the man in question. But the mussels and clams were amazing so 5 stars too chef. Beware if you go on regular business trips as this man could ruin your marriage or...

The quality of the food is below average although the wait staff are ok. However, be aware they charge a $3 euro per person cover charge if you sit inside and $2.50 if you sit outside . This is clearly written in the bottom of the menu but easy to miss. They also charge $4 for still water in a bottle and do not allow you to take the bottle with you claiming that their boss needs the bottles. I question whether they fill these bottles in the back with tap water because other eateries allow you to leave with the bottles. They also added a service charge of 12 percent. When questioned they claim it is a mandatory tax, but I asked another restaurant just a few steps away and they said it is not mandatory. I don’t know who to believe given that I was unable to ask bc the question in Italian. However, the quality of bc the food is so inadequate, save yourself the guessing and go elsewhere. You are better to get a sandwich or stop at the supermarket versus wasting your money here. Prior comments about the charging are accurate. There is a polite push to have you buy the more expensive bottles of wine (which we did) and to order apps, 1st and 2nd course (thankfully we did not) If you must eat here, order in stages so you don’t water more money than bc you need and skip the squid blackened pasta...