La Lanterna Da Gas
Where? La Lanterna Da Gas (Santa Croce, Venice, Italy) Map
When? Wednesday March 29, 2017
Who? Me
Food Style? Italian
This cosy little restaurant off the beaten track is well rated on various websites, and is a stone's throw from my hostel, so it's a goer. Instantly greeted by a free glass of prosecco - I foresee a good time. I've ordered a platter of deli meats and cheese for starters, and first course is black tagliatelle with prawns.
Antipasto
Selezione di Affettati e Formaggi - selection of cheeses and sliced meat
Oh my goodness. The platter arrives and there are three kinds of meat, three kinds of cheese, olives and pickled onion. I am in Italian heaven. This is so good. I greedily devour everything by myself, even though this has obviously been designed to share. I really like the intensity of the gruyere; that was the best thing on the plate.
Primo Piatto
Tagliatelle Nere con Gamberi Verdura di Stagioni - black tagliatelle with prawns and seasonal vegetables
Moments later, the tagliatelle arrives. What a wonderful aroma of onion, spices and seafood. The pasta is cooked perfectly and the prawns are seasoned well. The dish is rich with classic Mediterranean flavours and I'm so happy right now.
Dessert
Tiramisu
I've already had a tiramisu today but that was so six hours ago, so I order another one, especially since my mains were so impressive. I love it. It's got that home feel to it, and the flavour and texture is spot on.
As I go to pay, I'm given a free shot glass of limoncello. My head explodes. This is the best meal I've had in Italy so far.
Posted by Jeremy at 8:11pm on Friday April 28, 2017 :: 0 comments :: 
Pizzeria OKE
Where? Pizzeria OKE (Dorsoduro, Venice, Italy) Map
When? Tuesday March 28, 2017
Who? Me
Food Style? Italian
Venice isn't known for a particular dish per se, but like Como, their seafood is well renown. This particular restaurant I've come across has sardines and polenta "Venice style" so I give it a go. It's in the middle of Zattere, which is very popular with tourists wanting to catch the sunsets in Venice.
Appetizer
Venetian-Style Sardines with Polenta
The sardines are fresh and sweet, with that hint of saltiness and no fishiness. The polenta is not very well seasoned, but eating it with the sardines and the pickled vegetables solves that problem. Not too bad.
Pizza
Mangiafuoco - spicy salami, chilli pepper, paprika, Tobasco sauce
I'm at a pizzeria so I should really have some pizza too. I'm also in the mood for something spicy, which is not a particularly common element in Italian cooking. I learn quickly that eating pizza by yourself can be quite a mission, and of course, the more people there are, the greater the variety. Oh well. I finished the pizza, in any case. Also not too bad.
Posted by Jeremy at 8:01pm on Friday April 28, 2017 :: 0 comments ::