I picked a really nice restaurant for tonight, Gio’s,, Unfortunately it’s Easter weekend and they have a private event and had no room. So I popped onto Google maps to try and pick an alternative.
Figuring out restaurants in Venice is not easy. There is no shortage of options. Just walk into any square and you’ll find three or four options with lovely canal side views or great people watching spots. However these establishments are generally to be avoided. They are there to soak the unwitting tourist of many more Euros than their food deserves.
Going off the beaten path a block or two is generally a good way to avoid these tourist traps. Which is exactly what I looked for and found a small family run spot not far from St Mark Square.
However when we arrived the place was full (there were only 4 tables) and we could not get a spot.
Merilynn did have the presence of mind to ask for a recommendation for another restaurant in the area and we were pointed towards Al Covo.
After a short walk we arrived to find it full as well, but the gentleman who we talked with at the door and the look of the place was so inviting we decided to wait the hour and come back for our meal here. We will just have to kill an hour drinking some wine somewhere else. Boohoo.
So after a couple of bottles and an hour spent in two other Trattorias not eating we were back at All Covo to finally enjoy a meal.
Probably a little higher end than we originally intended for, we were drawn to the place by the host and the atmosphere. A lovely, warm and inviting spot, with no photos of food outside the front door.
Another bottle is in order.
Elegant and vibrant with a long finish, this was an excellent suggestion by the Sommelier.
We were given a small treat to start, a quiche.
We aren’t eating a lot tonight, due to the late hour. I know it’s normal in Italy to eat quite late. But we can’t adjust our entire digestive processes for just 18 days. So picked a pasta with no main, as did Merilynn.
Spider Crab Orecchietti. Very rich and full of crab, there was so much flavour in the dish. It was cooked well. And while the presentation was good, I was have thought you shouldn’t put anything on the plate you can’t eat. The shell looks cool, probably shouldn’t be there.
Merilynn pasta was very nice as well, though neither of us can remember exactly what it was and I can’t find the photo. To many meals out in too short a time.
Dessert was a strawberry granita. A granita is like a sorbet, but scraped during the freezing process rather than churning like ice cream.
It was very fresh and finished off an incredible, but very rich meal, bringing another fabulous Italian meal to an end.
Not only was the food at Al Covo wonderful, the staff and atmosphere combined to make a truly memorable meal.
10/10