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Dorsoduro: La Bitta

Calle Lunga San Barnaba 2753 , Phone: 041.5230531

Closing day: Sunday

Reviewed by: Robert Rainey from CA, review #3043

When: 2008

Listed in slow food book.

We went to La Bitta the first evening in Venice. It is near Campo San Barnaba. I had tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms and a very nice steak. Peg had a salad and cheese ravioli. A little pricey and maybe not a good value by my standards. Over 100 euro for the two of us with wine and water.

There are better choices although the service and food are great.

Reviewed by: AnnieNC from NC, review #2791

When: 2007

Great food, nice staff, and pleasant atmosphere

Directions: Right off Campo San Barnaba

Cubbies suggested this place for our small Slow Trav get-together, and I’m so glad she did because I’d never been here before and I really enjoyed it.

La Bitta’s business card says “no fish” which is unusual for Venice. It has a small seasonal menu with very interesting choices. I had an artichoke and parmesan salad, sautéed pork with plums (aka prunes), and pannacotta with caramel sauce. Everything was delicious, the service was good, and the staff were very nice. With house red and water, the cost was 40 Euro.

This is a small place – you need to book, even in winter.

Reviewed by: cubbies from CA, review #2401

When: 2007

Good neighborhood spot. Does not serve fish.

Directions: Coming from Campo San Barnaba, just past Quatro feri on the left hand side of Calle Lunga San Barnaba.

The two of us ate here 3 evenings during our recent 4 weeks in Venice.

It was a cozy, welcoming spot very near our apartment. Each time there was "Complet" sign as we entered and people were turned away, so reservations are strongly advised. This is a family-run restaurant, with the husband in charge of the kitchen and the wife overseeing the front of the house. Besides being fluent in English, she conversed with both German and French speakers.

Among the dishes we tried: fresh artichoke salad with parmesan (delicious, nicely divided for sharing), penne with fresh asparagus (yum), smoked beef carpaccio (a winner), braised beef with polenta (not as tasty as some), roast pork in mustard sauce with potatoes, mixed vegetables with cheese (a regional specialty but just okay), and beef filet wrapped in bacon (excellent). The chocolate mousse was okay, the chocolate cake was two deliciously dense triangles, more like super-rich brownies.

The menu is short and changes frequently, truly taking advantage of seasonal ingredients. Note that no fish is served. We happily drank the house red wine. You are charged only for that portion you drink.

We sat in the front area near the bar (bar service is suspended during meals) and enjoyed watching the flow. Most of the other diners were also tourists, but locals were present, too. There is a larger room in back.

Service was uneven. On our first visit, we were very pleased with the friendly service from Debora, the owner. She also served us the next two times, but seemed to be rushing around to handle everyone. There was just one other waiter and I also saw her helping out in the kitchen plus providing wine and menu advice. On our final visit, we decided not to order dessert or coffee because service had slowed so much. She apologized for this and gave us the wine as compliments of the house. The bill for two, with a shared primi, two secondos, dessert, house wine, and water averaged 60 euros.

So, I really want to love this place. The food is seasonal and interesting, and Debora is personable and friendly when she has a minute. Perhaps one more able-bodied waiter would do the trick.

This review is the opinion of a Slow Travel member and not of slowtrav.com.

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Dorsoduro: La Bitta

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