Trattoria Marciana — Restaurant in Venice

I recently dined at Trattoria Marciana during my visit to Venice, Italy, and unfortunately, the experience left much to be desired, prompting me to give it a rare 2-star rating.

Let's start with the food. The pizza, a staple in Italian cuisine, was surprisingly subpar. The crust tasted like it could have easily been sourced from a frozen pizza at Costco, lacking the authenticity and freshness one expects in a trattoria in Venice. The toppings, few but present, were mediocre at best, failing to elevate the overall taste of the dish. Given Italy's renowned culinary heritage, this was a disappointing letdown.

Adding to the disappointment was the service charge, or "coperto," which is a common practice in Italian dining establishments. However, at Trattoria Marciana, the $5 per person coperto seemed disproportionate to the level of service provided. For such a fee, patrons typically anticipate a more refined experience, including tablecloths, complimentary bread, and attentive service. Regrettably, this was not the case. The absence of these basic elements left me questioning the value of the coperto charge.

While I usually prefer to remain silent rather than write negative reviews, my experience at Trattoria Marciana compelled me to share my thoughts. It is my hope that this critique serves as constructive feedback for the establishment, encouraging improvements to ensure a more satisfying dining experience for future patrons. Until that happens, better restaurants exists...

I must admit, I was a bit hesitant to try Trattoria Marciana after reading some negative reviews from a few months ago. But, I'm thrilled to report that my experience last night was absolutely perfect!

From the moment I walked in, the ambiance was warm and inviting. The staff were incredibly friendly and attentive, making sure every aspect of our meal was enjoyable. They received my two boys like kings and made them feel very important. Especially one of the main guys there, "Mateo."

The food was the highlight of the evening. Every dish was expertly prepared and bursting with flavor. We had the spaghetti frutti di mare, the seafood tagliata, the spaghetti carbonara, the fried seafood. Our appetizers were the shrimp cocktail and the seafood mix. For dessert, we had the panna cotta and the chocolate cake (be mindful that this last one may have some sort of liquor). Overall, it was simply divine. In general, the presentation was not majestic, but it was not bad either, and lastly, the portions were generous. (see pictures)

I went ahead and commented to Mateo about the reviews, and he mentioned that they are currently operating under new administration, and it's clear that Marciana had undergone a remarkable transformation. Whether it's the improved service, the elevated menu, or the overall atmosphere, they have truly turned things around. I highly recommend giving them another chance—you're in for a...

We walked into the restaurant after checking the menu outside and were greeted with a smile. There were only two tables occupied, including ours — just four people in total.

After 5 minutes, we ordered two of the same fish dishes and a Caprese salad. We were told the fish would take 25 minutes to prepare.

The Caprese salad arrived after 15 minutes. After finishing it, we asked about the fish and were told it would be another five minutes. By then, 35 minutes had already passed.

After another 10 minutes, we asked again, pointing out that we were told 25 minutes, not 40. The waiter got visibly annoyed, brought the fish out on metal trays straight from the grill area, and then set the white plates next to us.

The fish was clearly undercooked, sitting in water, and certainly not grilled as promised. When we pointed this out, the waiter claimed it was our fault for asking before it was “ready,” even though we had already been waiting 45 minutes.

Overall, highly not recommended. The service was rude, the wait was unreasonable, and the food was...