Enoteca Al Gondolieri - VENEZIA

We always dine here twice in 7 days, on our yearly visit to Venice in February for my birthday. We always so look forward to our nights at Gondolieri on our first and last night in the city. Fabulous impression as you walk into the =salon, wood panelling, crisp white cloths, glissening glasses and white candles fabulous amibience. The menu is meat based, or some dishes for vegetarians great choice. The food for starters, main course and sweet are totally delicious, beautifully presented, and huge wine menu. The service is totally personal, friendly and very professional. Total rubbish this restaurant is expensive it is what you would expect for such a high class restaurant and everything that goes with it. If you want cheaper food, there are plenty of other restaurants you can go to. We have loved every dining experience we have had here and look forward to seeing you all again next february.

The asset of this place is that it is close to Peggy Guggenheim Collection and on the main route that tourists use in Dorsodura. We had a quick lunch in the Enoteca, which has a smaller menu and bistro like seating as opposed to the restaurant, which appears to be more fine dining (white table clothes etc and truffles on the menu). For our quick lunch we opted for lasagne and venetian pasta. The food was ok, but nothing special. My husband said that the lasagne I make is better than what he received. The wines on offer were priced on the high side, 7 euros for a glass of basic Valpolicella. The bottle is worth about 15 euros in a shop.

Stopped in for a quick lunch after visiting the Accademia and before the opera. The staff offered me a seat in the enoteca or the main dining room ... the enoteca was empty, so I chose the dining room, not realizing there were different menus for the two. Would really have appreciated knowing the difference up front!!! (I discovered this after the fact. Menu was formal and expensive for lunch. I ordered ricotta and nettle gnocchi in a cauliflower cream with fried olives ... different, inventive, plated nicely ... not what I expected from gnocchi ... three large, handformed dumplings served warm ... not boiled ... the waiter said they were handmade and I believe him. High charges for coperta, water, and service my ONLY time during 2 weeks in Italy that I paid so much for all 3! Dining room dates to 1970s (or earlier . A plus or minus depending upon your style! Interesting place. Appreciate that the gnocchi was handmade. But probably wouldn't recommend or return. I think you can do better for less in Venice.

One of the best meals we have ever had. The restaurant is central enough while also feeling off the beaten path. The staff were superb, watchful without being intrusive, formal while building a rapport and offered great suggestions. I had the meatball appetiser and the veal with tarragon gravy which was divine. My wife had the zucchini flower appetiser with a creamy ravioli main (which I tasted and they were superb). My wife is vegetarian and this had so many options for her which is a rarity in Venice. If I am ever back in Venice I will 100% be coming back

Our most expensive meal during our week in Italy, but the food and service were worth it. Our hotel concierge recommended this for us when we wanted something special to finish our trip. The meal was over 600 Euros for 6 people, so be prepared. Reservations are also recommended as many guests were turned away while we dined. We felt a little underdressed in our tourist sight seeing clothes, many of the other men were wearing blazers.