Our local guide, Barbara, works and lives in Venice. She is one of the fortunate ones who still actually resides in the heart of the city. She was exceedingly knowledgeable and, even more important, very nice. After our gondola ride, I asked her for a recommendation of dinner. When I ask a “local” for a recommendation I always couch it by asking, “where would you go for a date or special occasion?” I explain that I am not looking for a touristy place, just somewhere where she would go.
Barbara recommended Osteria Enoteca San Marco. So, we walked over to take a look at the place, liked what we saw, and made a reservation for 7:30pm. Here is a photo taken inside the osteria.
As appetizers we had grilled octopus followed by Cacio e Pepe, a wonderful pasta dish made with romano cheese and black pepper. Among the many great dishes made popular in Venice is liver and onions. Needless to say, we each enjoyed that dish, shared a bottle of wine and a desert of ginger ice cream. We lingered awhile and then slowly made our way back, through Piazza San Marco. Here are a few photos taken along the way.
I thought this display of a pair of shoes was very creative. Not the sandals on the right but the shoes on the left.
Piazza San Marco is alluring in the evening. Napoleon once described it as the drawing room of Europe.
It is fun after dark when bands, on opposite sides of the Piazza, compete for attention. Here is one of them.
The jewel in the crown that is Piazza San Marco is the Basilica.
Here is a shot of some of the mosaics of the Basilica San Marco.
Our evening ended in the main lounge of the Danieli for a nightcap. Here are a couple of photos of the pianist and the hotel lobby.
Time to turn it. Tomorrow is another busy day.