Trattoria Al Gatto Nero — Restaurant in Venice

AVOID at all costs!! you will save time, money and find better food elsewhere! I don't understand why this place is considered 'the best'. Food was mediocre, service was appalling and everything about the experience was like a typical fake nice, fake fancy restaurant. I never write reviews, but i felt compelled to warn people away from this one.

arrived early to make a reservation, was told to come back in 15 min to speak with the manager - annoying ordered a sampler plate of scallops and razor clams, a whole fish, 2 spritzes and water. waiter came back with a large fish to try to sell us a fillet instead of the whole fish we picked from the menu - why? literally he went to the trouble of carrying out this really large have cut up fish to sell us something we didn't want. scallops came out - they were ok, sandy - i tried to pretend that it was worth 28 eur waited 45min at least, while the waiters kept placing a wooden table next to our table (for the fish presumably), and then taking it away to use at another table, and then bringing it back to our table again - almost amusing if we hadn't been hungrily awaiting our food. others waited for their food a long time too. we watched as tourists tried to make reservations receiving the same complicated service we encountered - 'um, let me check with the manager to see if we have a table' - 'we are awfully booked right now...' tables were still empty, people easily got seated. whole fish came out, presented by a different waiter. WORST PART - he then 'prepared' it for us, hastily carving out a bit of meat and plating it, LEAVING behind a lot of fish! having see him do this at another table and take it away, I asked to keep the head and the bones. i got an odd stare and reluctantly he brought back a plate to leave the rest on. He seamed upset assuring us there was nothing left in the dish - there still was a lot of roasted veggies left but whatever. We ate and then proceeded to eat what was left on the bones and head. Again, there was a lot of fish meat he left - equal to what he put on our plate. plus part of the reason to order a whole fish is to get all the good bits around the bones. He did not know how to nicely de-bone or fillet a fish anyway so there were bit chunks of fillet that didn't make it onto our plate initally. I think they seemed annoyed that we ordered a 'smaller' whole fish to split?? it was a 40 eur fish. seemed like enough to spend for lunch. After this I think both waiters had a feeling we weren't enjoying ourselves. after a few awkward exchanges we payed and left. i am not against paying 50 a head for a nice meal, but i expect to have good food and a memorable experience if its pricey. nearly 100 euros later were felt ripped off and still hungry. ate granola bars...

FYI the next day we had a similar seafood meal back on the main island of Venice for half the price and received twice the food: 1 giant seafood pasta, a platter with three fish, 2 large shrimp and a squid, 2 spritzes and water and best of all...polite and helpful service. try our Paradiso Perduto for a good meal. DO NOT go...

I ordered the same, or similar enough dishes everywhere. A - because I like those dishes, and B - because it's a speciality of the region. They did it better than the other ones I've had.

Especially the seafood spaghetti. Most places are very saucy, and becomes increasingly salty, and tomatoey as u eat. This place does not. Not a lot of tomato, lots of white wine, the seafood are still identifiable. There is also no leftover sauce under the pasta. The risotto is silky, not undercooked, and piping hot. Tastes very clean, very savory. U can tell its fish, but it's not fishy.

I reached out via email the night before I flew to Venice. I know they r a popular restaurant, so was not hoping for a guarantee. Some guy called Massi replied, and after a few exchanges, gave me an indoor dinner reservation.

Arrived to the place, but the seats were not ready. A wait staff just told me to chill, gifted us two glasses of bubblies. Good start.

Then Massi came along, had a chat about my flight. Turns out Massi was the owner of the restaurant. He knew I flew in that morning, so he set up another table outside, just for us.

Their risotto and seafood spaghetti come in min order for two. Mine was a party of two, so I had to make a choice. Massi told me to hold my horses, went into the kitchen, then came out to tell me that they would make an exception, and make half portions so we can try both dishes. Yay.

We had a fun chat about how he had a run in with Rangers, because he didn't know it's illegal to catch salmon. Then he ended up having grilled salmon for supper with the Rangers.

Then came the wait staff that looked like Rene Redzepi. He was very friendly as well, and recommended small portions of various local seafoods.

Night fell, and the mosquitoes came out. Massi gave us a bottle of bug repellent, and that was a big help.

We really wanted to stay for dessert, but the bugs became too big of a swarm. Italian Rene Redzepi treated us two shots of complimentary limoncello so we would feel better.

They may or may not treat everyone the same. If they do, then bravo to them. They make everyone feel very happy about their visits. If they had only been this kind to me, then I will...

After being made famous via the BBC series 'Remarkable Places to Eat', you could imagine Trattoria Al Gatto Nero resting on its laurels just a little bit... but if anything I think they might have lifted their game up a notch. Quite honestly one of my top 10 dining experiences of all time

We were immediately greeted with a welcome as though we were regulars, taken to our table and immediately offered a drink - a simple skill so often lacking in restaurants these days

Our two waiters arrived straight away to deliver menus and tell us about the daily specials - Burano restaurants are famous for their daily catch from the surrounding lagoons. The 'catch of the day' stars today were local soft shell crabs. They are only found for about 3 weeks during autumn and perhaps 6 weeks during spring, so we were lucky with our timing

BUT..The most famous dish on the menu is the 'Risotto Burano style' - made famous by Anthony Bourdains 'No Reservations' program.

Burano restaurants make a rich fish broth from local 'goby' fish and produce a risotto that often perplexes people with no signs on any actual seafood in the risotto. Whilst many restaurants are cutting corners and trapping tourists with a less than genuine article, Al Gatto Nero clearly does not skimp on anything and it was simply stunning. Rich, creamy , intoxicatingly luscious fish broth that is literally making my tastebuds sing as I write this!

The soft shell crabs were stunning, as was the simple grilled Langoustine. Fritto Misto and Spaghetti alla Vongole all executed with perfection, all were worthy of a visit themselves

We had a fresh Veneto Chardonnay and a brilliantly rich Trebbiano Riserva - perfect suggestion from our #somm

Our waiters were brilliant, making us feel part of the Al Gatto Nero family. A visit from head chef and owner Ruggero Bovo topped off our incredible experience

Grazie grazie ragazzi team 'Al Gatto Nero', I cannot wait to come back and visit again soon #instagram...