Food was good (daily special was very tasty). location is easy to miss. But if you don't talk in Italian you might become an amusement for the waiter. We were in line first and was seated first, but the Italian couple seated next to us was served first, kind of understandable since it's probably easier to talk in one's native language. Until their antipasto was served and after a new table was seated we got asked on what we like to order. If you ask about the daily special the waiter will gesture in finger the digits of the cost to you like a kindergartner because maybe you can't understand their lightly accented English. And god forbids that you never ate in Italian restaurants before and asks what "coperto" means (2.5 p.p.) at the end, your waiter will smile at you then joke in Italian to his manager(?) that these "chinos" don't know what coperto means... I mean you should blame Google translate because it didn't even translate it properly to English so I thought it had something to do with being seated indoor and there's a cover over your head. If my sensitivity is to blame, I honestly prefer getting made fun of in my face? Jokes stop being funny when you become laughed at rather than with. There could be other jokes he threw at our expense to the Italian couple next to us that I missed because my Italian is rusty. also it's pretty funny that he explains to me specifically that AC is on and you don't need to open the window when I didn't open it in the first place (by the way the people next to us opened those window again after you closed it. but maybe you don't explain to them because they aren't chinos). Now time to forget about this and get back to Germany and work with other Italian friends of mine that don't need such cheap jokes to feel superior. 要是你跑中国去看到账单上的开瓶费茶水费不知道你会不会问这是啥?也许可能你人傻钱多 (also this service had a...
Read moreTrattoria alla Rivetta restores my belief that in Venice you can still be treated well in a restaurant within the chaotic orbit of San Marco, and it doesn’t mean that they will not shrug and gesture a helpless apology because they’re booked -and they seem to always be! - but that when you do finally get to sit down the feeling is real, honest, and unfussy, and the same goes for their food. I’m tempted to say this is my favorite place, after just the other day finding myself hungry and in San Marco trying really hard to find a restaurant that is not a tourist trap, and if you are like me, and you happen to walk towards Campo San Zaccaria, right before the bridge with their name on a big overhead lantern is Trattoria alla Rivetta, a place that they say gondoliers like to go - and I did see one! - you will find yourself enjoying a very wonderful meal. I wanted their gnocchi with crab, but because they didn’t have it, I took a chance on the day’s substitution - gnocchi with scallop with mushroom. An odd combination that was unexpectedly divine. The same can be said for the rest of their menu, from spaghetti pomodoro to pulpo, and I’d like to give a special note to their sardines with onions. We went for beer instead of wine and it was such crisp Italian lager, a perfect day-ender. To my relief, my family enjoyed the meal and the banter with the waitstaff, who were warm and gracious and thankfully recommended the tiramisu and panna cotta with coffee caramel. It was such a good-hearted energy in the restaurant. Beyond our table, the other diners seemed to also enjoy their meal so much that before they walked out the door we saw several have their names written down on the thick reservations book for tomorrow.
So if you’d like to eat here,...
Read moreCharming restaurant with lovely ambience. I went there twice during my stay in Venice. Both occasions were very positive. All the waiters were friendly, welcoming and very attentive. They couldn't have been nicer when explaining some of the local specialities (which I was actually looking for). Also, the place was jam-packed on both days. Seemingly very much loved by Italian & French guests.
As antipasti, I tried the "Fried artichoke with Casatella cheese & marinated egg yolk" (if you've never tried it, it's a must! The cheese is from the Veneto region. It's something very unique & utterly delicious).
As Primi Piatti, I tasted the "Cuttlefish black sauce spaghetti with candied lemons" ( the flavour combo of this dish is unbelievably spot on). Oh, and because of the lemons, you don't need to be worried about black lips😊
On the second day, I had the "Bigoli in Salsa"... another incredibly flavoursome dish. It's not much to look at, but the texture of this typical Venetian pasta and the simple sauce on it is divine!
Lastly, I'd recommend having just a normal coffee (with a drop of Grappa in it) and a couple of mini fritelle on the side to finish off the meal. I've seen one of the gondoliers ordering it on the first day, so I was curious to try it - it didn't disappoint 😉 Next time I'm in Venice, I'll be going straight back to Trattoria...
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