ITALY - Best of Europe 2014 - page 1126

Osteria Ai 40 Ladroni (“The Forty Thieves”) is a characteristic old standby with a few
tables on the canal, a rustic interior, and a convivial garden out back. The action is near the
bar (€10 pastas, €15 secondi, they're proud of their mixed seafood antipasti, closed Mon,
Fondamenta della Sensa at Calle del Capitello, reserve for dinner, tel. [phone]).
Timon Enoteca Osteria , while nothing earthshaking, has a relaxing canalside setting
with nice wines and cicchetti (a block past the Jewish Ghetto on Fondamenta Ormesini at
Calle Malvasia, tel. [phone]).
Osteria al Bacco is simple and rustic, with a typical Venetian menu and a couple of
canalside tables (€10 pastas, €16 secondi, €2 cover, closed Mon, on Fondamenta Capuzine
at Calle Girolamo, tel. [phone]).
Elsewhere in Venice
On Giudecca Island: I Figli delle Stelle Ristorante offers a delightful dining experience
with an excuse to ride the boat from St. Mark's Square across to the island of Giudecca. Si-
mone and his staff artfully serve Venetian classics with a dash of Rome and Puglia and a
passion for fish and lamb. While they have inside seating, the reason to venture here is to
sit canalside with fine views of Venice across the broad Giudecca Canal and all the water
traffic. Reserve ahead to specify “first line” seating along the water, “second line” seating a
few steps away, or a table inside (€15 pastas, €22 secondi, €3.50 cover, daily 12:30-14:30
& 19:00-22:30, 50 yards from Zitelle vaporetto dock—from San Marco ride line #4.2 or #2,
tel. [phone]).
On Fondamente Nove: Ristorante Algiubagio, though not cheap, is a good place to
eat well overlooking the northern lagoon. The name is a combination of the owners' four
names—Alberto, Giulio, Barbara, and Giovanna—who strive to impress visitors with qual-
ity, creative Venetian cuisine made using the best ingredients. Reserve a table on the la-
goon facing the island of San Michele or in their classy cantina dining room (€16-18
pastas, €24-25 secondi, €3.50 cover, €30-42 fixed-price meals, Wed-Mon 12:00-15:00 &
19:00-22:30, closed Tue; on Fondamente Nove, to the left of the vaporetto dock as you face
the water, at #5039; tel. [phone]).
Near Campo Santa Maria Nova: OsteriadaAlberto, withexcellent dailyspecials, €13
seafood dishes, €11 pastas, a good house wine, and a woody and characteristic interior, is
one of my standbys. It's smart to reserve at night—I'd request a table in the front (€2 cover,
Mon-Sat 12:00-15:00 & 18:30-22:30, closed Sun; on Calle Larga Giacinto Gallina, mid-
way between Campo Santi Apostoli and Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo, next to Ponte de
la Panada bridge at #5401—see map on here ; tel. [phone], run by Graziano and Gio-
vanni).
Near the Train Station: There are piles of eateries near the station. The buffet in the
station itself is quite good, with peaceful garden seating out back in summer, big €3-4