Pietra Rossa — Restaurant in Venice

Nestled in the heart of Venice, Pietra Rossa is an exquisite culinary haven. The experience here is nothing short of delightful. Upon arrival, guests are welcomed with a complimentary glass of Prosecco—a charming touch that sets the tone for a special evening. The staff, warm and enthusiastic, make you feel immediately at home, and their wine knowledge is impressive; they don’t just recommend wines, they guide you through the story and character of each, making dinner a mini wine education.

The meal began with two exquisite bòcons (bites). The bòcon of raw langoustine with porcini mushrooms was a delightful surf-and-turf, combining the sweet, delicate langoustine with earthy porcini and a hint of savory pork. The second, a bòcon of light beef tartare with poached oyster, smoked buffalo ricotta “snow,” and sweet-sour seasonal vegetables with leeks, showcased inventive pairings that were both surprising and harmonious.

For a lighter course, the fresh borlotti bean salad with lentils, chickpeas, marinated red onion, and parsley sauce offered a refreshing option that was both hearty and vibrant, with a tangy bite from the marinated onions.

The spaghetti pasta by Mozzo featured a beautifully balanced lemony sauce with a hint of saltiness, topped with fresh red tuna tartare. A balance of delicate flavors creates a bright, lively pasta course.

The Busara of langoustines sauce with langoustine and Mangaliza lard pork was a standout. The rich, flavorful sauce paired with the sweet langoustine and fatty Mangaliza pork created a unique dish that felt luxurious and satisfying.

Another impressive option was the pork chop from Maso, grilled on a Kamado grill and served with chard, turnip, potatoes, and a touch of mustard. The Kamado grilling technique brought out the natural flavors of the pork, leaving it juicy and perfectly cooked.

For dessert, Pietra Rossa brings creative twists to classic flavors. The spiced carrot cake with tomato jam was a delightful surprise, with warm spices and a touch of sweetness from the jam. The sorbet of persimmon with chestnut honey, millet-rosemary crumble, caramelized pine nuts, and molasses was both refreshing and indulgent, a fitting end to a beautifully balanced meal.

As a final gesture, the meal is wrapped with a plate of delightful cookies, a sweet send-off that adds to the overall experience.

The atmosphere at Pietra Rossa is joyfully unique, with cute heart stickers around the space, adding a lighthearted touch. With its friendly, knowledgeable staff, vibrant vibe, and expertly crafted dishes, Pietra Rossa isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a must-visit experience in Venice, leaving you warmly welcomed, and...

It was in 2013 when we first went to Andrea Lorenzon's (then) new restaurant, CoVino. It was a small and intimate space, where Andrea held court. It featured a special fix prixe menu that he chose. It also had an extremely interesting wine list, which was due to the fact that wine is Andrea's passion, and he is very knowledgeable about it, and is happy to share his knowledge with you. We learned about his commitment to sustainable practices of food production, and his love of the Venetian community. A few years ago he made the major step of starting up a brand new restaurant, Pietra Rossa. Although it is a bit more out of the way, it is well worth the effort to find it. Andrea operates out of his heart, and indeed the heart is the symbol of his new place. Go to their website and read all about it. Andrea's father is Mauro Lorenzon, who was the well known proprietor of the iconic Mascareta for years. The new restaurant also features a set price menu, or you can go ala carte if you prefer. When you reach the restaurant, ring the bell and you will enter into the bar area, most likely greeted at the door by Andrea himself. From here it leads either to the lovely outdoor courtyard, or to the small main dining room. There also is the option of sitting at a communal table in the kitchen area where you have a front row seat to all the goings-on, as well as getting wonderful attention. Pietra Rossa is a member of the Buona Accoglienza Association Restaurants - a group that are united by their commitment to sustainable food production, and use of local fresh products. They also are part of the Osti in Orto project - local restaurants that have their own land on Sant Erasmo where they source their own produce. Take the time to look up these organizations and read about their ethos. We love Pietra Rossa, and we love Andrea. When you are in Venice, make sure to take the time to have dinner at this lovely place that is run with so much...

As soon as we walked in, we felt like they were pushing their agenda on us. My husband got the hanger steak. I ordered the pasta with the muscles and the rabbit chicken Ragu not sure what else was in it. My dish was super fishy. And I say that With the great assault because I love fresh seafood and this was not it. My husband‘s hanger steak was decent, but it was barely seared so make sure if you’re gonna have the hanger steak. You let them know how you want it cooked. What bothered us the most was the attitude of The one who was serving us and that was not Arica. We didn’t catch the other gentleman‘s name, but he basically said that when we ask for olive oil and balsamic for the bread, you can leave and walk out the door. We thought this was very rude. But even worse when I told him that my dish was way too fishy for Muscles, mind you there were maybe five or six muscles in this dish with pasta and I had just come from Lake Garda and had the freshest muscles that you could have, the whole dish couldn’t have cost them more than $10 to make and I’m being generous. As I’m sitting there while my husband‘s finishing his meal, one of the cooks in the kitchen looks out the window looks straight at me and shakes his head in a negative manner towards me. I’m assuming because I sent my dish back. This was the cherry on top of everything for me. I would not have written a review at all, but this was really rude. And really to top it all off. It was a horrible meal otherwise I would not have sent it back. Not to mention, we had a couple drinks, some glasses of wine and a bottle of wine. So it wasn’t like we were not ordering things here. I’ve eaten many meals in Italy that weren’t that great or weren’t even what I ordered, but I did not complain. So careful at...