When we entered there were only a few other customers so we expected a relatively short wait. Our waiter took our order and we waited...and waited... Soon we noticed people who entered after us began eating and even finishing and still we waited. We understand dining in Italy is not meant to be rushed, but this was getting ridiculous. Our waiter spent much of his time outside hustling more customers. Never any attempt to be engaging or even available. Finally the food arrived. The frutti di mari spaghetti was just OK, nothing special. The fettuccine Alfredo was a huge disappointment. In a word it was flavorless. The sauce must have been made with low grade cheese because even after trying to doctor it with a little salt and additional table parm it was just flat. When we had finished I caught our waiter's eye. I had my wallet and credit card out on the table. He gave a nod and proceded to then ignore us rather than taking the two steps to our table, even going back outside to hustle some more. He never came by again. A second waiter came by and my wife flagged him down, pointing to the wallet. He too nodded as if he understood and also just walked on by. We figured the message had been sent and received twice and waited patiently. Nothing. Finally I had my wife get up and leave, hint hint. Several minutes later the second waiter came back and pointed to the counter saying, "You can pay there". In the nearly two weeks we have been in Venice we have never been asked to pay for a meal at the counter. No real problem, but if that was what had to happen they could have told me 15 minutes ago. And no, this wasn't a language issue as English is spoken here. To sum up: poor service, flavorless food, inability to communicate. There are many places with friendly, efficient staff, and excellent food. This isn't...
Read moreRistorante Da Poggi in Venice is a well-known restaurant with a strong reputation for authentic Venetian and Italian cuisine. Guests often praise its traditional dishes, fresh ingredients, and warm, welcoming atmosphere. Here's a brief overview of common themes in customer reviews:
Food Quality*: Many diners highlight the freshness of the seafood, handmade pastas, and well-prepared Venetian dishes such as *sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines) and fegato alla veneziana (Venetian-style liver). The use of local and seasonal ingredients is also appreciated.
Ambiance**: The restaurant's cozy and traditional setting offers an intimate dining experience. It's often described as having a rustic, authentic Venetian charm, making it ideal for romantic dinners or small family gatherings.
Service**: The service is typically well-regarded, with staff noted for being friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The restaurant has a family-run feel, which adds to the overall warmth and hospitality.
Wine Selection**: A well-curated wine list featuring local Italian wines is often praised. Guests appreciate the recommendations from the staff for wine pairings with their meals.
Location**: Situated away from the more tourist-heavy areas, Ristorante Da Poggi offers a quieter, more relaxed dining experience, yet it is still easily accessible from key points in Venice.
Overall, Ristorante Da Poggi is highly recommended for those looking to experience authentic Venetian cuisine in a welcoming,...
Read more*WARNING NOT SAFE FOR CELIACS!!! We read the reviews here and felt safe coming. My sister and I are both CELIAC and dairy free. He said when we entered ‘everything’ was gluten free.. not just to us, but others as well. I told the server I was gluten free upon entering, and my sister asked about dairy free options on the menu.. the server was RUDE about bothering explaining dairy free saying everything has a ‘touch’ of butter. Only after we recognized the bread he placed at our table tasted like gluten bread, did he bother to explain the icons on the menu.. he then said “It’s your fault”, because he claimed we didn’t say we were celiac. And continued to berate us with blame and accusations. Overall- by far, between his attitude and lack of clear symbols on the menus, this was the worst experience we have had the ENTIRE time in Italy. I am honestly baffled at how much he tried to blame us for the mistake. I immediately threw up everything- hope it goes well. I would not...
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