Following on from our various Italian food adventures in Padua, Mr FPJ and I spent a day in Venice – an easy 1 hour train ride away. There are no allocated seats but being a weekday, it didn’t take long to find two seats together in one of the carriages. Consequently being a weekday, there were several primary school excursions to Venice so we ended up sharing an entire carriage with noisy school kids and some nervous teachers.
Cantina Do Spade
My aunt had recommended a few spots around Venice for lunch such as Cantina Do Spade (which opened in 1448!). After some sightseeing, we stopped by hoping to get a table.
The front counter is filled with the seafood that goes into their dishes.
It’s a cosy little tavern-like wine bar with only a handful of tables specialising in Italian-style tapas and wine. We’re asked if we want just drinks and the tapas menu, or a sit-down lunch meal. I opted for a sit-down lunch. We luckily got there at the right time and got the last table for 2. We started off with white wine and received a bucket of bread which unfortunately were very dry.
The menu was in English and we ordered a few dishes to share. Firstly, some stewed Italian meatballs which came with a side of white polenta (8€). The meatballs were tasty stuffed with herbs and spices, and smothered in tomato ragu, contrasting against the rather plain polenta.
I decided on one of the Venetian house specials – the tagliatellini with smoked ricotta (15€). There was plenty of freshly made pasta smothered in a light cream sauce tossed with pork jowl and radicchio. We could really pick up on the smokiness of the ricotta, made in the region, but found everything else gave a slight bitterness. It sounded good but it was our least favourite pasta dish on our entire Italian adventure. I did regret not ordering another pasta dish with seafood instead!
We tried a more traditional gnocchi al ragu (12€) which was absolutely divine. Fresh gnocchi cooked to perfection in a simple delicious ragu. We easily polished this off.
A good spread of classics and a regional delicacy.
I also couldn’t resist trying the tiramisu (6€), but unfortunately I found the lady finger sponge a little dry. It hadn’t quite soaked enough of the coffee.
A little hit and miss for us. I should have asked my aunt what the signature dishes are to try. Next time, I’ll opt for the fresh seafood dishes and tapas. Note: Cantina Do Spade charge a 1.50€ cover charge per person.
Gelato di Natura
It was warming up in Venice and after walking past Gelato di Natura, we went in to get a double scoop to share. I don’t remember which gelato flavours but I do remember that it tasted good.
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Gelatoteca Suso
A couple of hours later, on our slow walk back through the many alleyways and canals of Venice, we walked past Gelatoteca Suso which had a massive queue out the front so we joined but weren’t able to view the menu until closer inside the shop. Mr FPJ didn’t want one so I chose a hazelnut chocolate and pistachio gelato. I wasn’t too impressed with it as the flavours were very very subtle. Perhaps I just chose the wrong flavours.
Throughout the day, we walked past the fish and seafood markets. It was nearing the end of the day so most of the seafood had been sold.
We walked past the fruit and vegetable markets that also sold fresh flowers and goodies such as nuts and Italian nougat.
The Casa Del Parmigiano – an entire shop dedicated to parmigiano sounded interesting but we didn’t go in.
And we spotted Venchi, a fine Italian chocolate and gelato shop but after two gelatos, we couldn’t fit any more in.
There is always so much to see. We enjoyed strolling through the maze that is Venice with a gelato in hand, people-watching, and getting lost in the alleyways. A lovely day trip. One day, I’ll hopefully get to stay overnight – it would be fantastic to see Venice by night and without the tourists.
Eateries visited:
- Cantina Do Spade – San Polo, 859, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
- Gelato di Natura – Campo San Giacomo dall’Orio, San Croce, 1628, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy. However, there were three locations in Venice for this franchise at the time of writing.
- Gelatoteca Susa – Sotoportego de la Bissa, 5453, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy
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