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Castello: Trattoria Corte Sconta

Calle del Pestrin , Phone: 041.522.7024

Closing day: Sunday & Monday

Reviewed by: Dr. X from USA, review #1720

When: 2005

Great restaurant off the tourist track.

We found that you have to be very careful in choosing a restaurant in Venice. "Corte Sconta" was the best we found. While you will still spend a decent amount here, it is well worth it. Try the soft shell crab and fried prawns; both were wonderful.

Reviewed by: lavena from NJ, review #1068

When: 2004

Don't eat here! This much bally-hoo'd restaurant has a huge problem - an over-powering smell of a badly-functioning sewer. Nothing in Venice was like this!

Everyone reads that the canals themselves are malodorous - not true - but Corte Sconta is. Additionally, Rita, the owner is pushy and puts forth an attitude that you, the customer, are fortunate that she is speaking to you. She states her now stale line "I am the owner and the menu," and then proceeds to push their "signature" multi-course seafood appetizer. This "appetizer" costs €26 (at this time that's approximately $32 USD). We didn't want it (not really due to the cost but more because it's too much food), and from that point on, things went downhill.

Service was surly, and the mixed fried fish platter we ordered was skimpy, oily, and rather cold. A couple nearby was treated in a short manner when they asked to see a menu. We asked for the check quickly and pretty much ran outside to breathe some fresh air. It took me two weeks to get a reservation here; I should have had pizza.

Reviewed by: Boleskine from NJ, review #568

When: 2003

Popular and excellent seafood restaurant; justly famous for its large and tasty assorted seafood appetizer.

Directions: From the Riva degli Schiavone: Take Calle di Forno (near the church of La Pieta) and continue straight back to Calle Pestrin. Restaurant is on your right.

On our first trip to Corte Sconta, we allowed ourselves to be pressured by the owner (who is also "the menu") to try the large, seafood appetizer which consisted of dozens of delicious offerings. We followed with pasta and then a platter of grilled seafood. The bill was huge and we were beyond stuffed.

On subsequent visits, we have asked for only one or two of the appetizers, skipped the pastas and had grilled fish. The food has been without fail delicious and perfectly served, and our tab has been reasonable. The ginger clams are spectacular. Let the owner recite the full menu and then choose as much or as little as you feel you will enjoy eating.

Reviewed by: Edna from NY, review #340

When: 2002

Corte Sconta is awesome!

Reviewed by: Kim from NJ, review #341

When: 2001

I second the vote for Corte Sconta.

Rita (she introduces herself as the owner and the menu) started us off w/ a multi-course seafood antipasto - huge, wonderful and you must, must have the ginger clams. We indulged in the antipasti, pasta and shared a frito pesci for our main course. With a bottle of the house white and dessert it came to about $115 USD.

Now as far as location, it's on the calle del pestrin. Our version of the Eyewitness Guide gave the right street address but the wrong location - they pointed to a calle de pestrin not far from La Fenice. The correct one is on the other side of Piazza San Marco.

If you're leaving the piazza (facing the lagoon), go to your left along the Riva Degli Schiavoni. I believe between your 4th and 5th bridge, you turn left onto Calle del Forno - go across Calle Crosera and on the other side you should see Calle Del Pestrin.

If you're doing the vaporetto, get off at Arsenale (near Gabrielli Sandwirth hotel). With your back to the lagoon, go left over one bridge. Make a right on Calle del Forno and follow directions from above.

Reviewed by: Bill Sutherland from Italy, review #342

When: 2001

We used to enjoy it, but now feel they're living off their past good reputation.

We ate at Corte Sconta years ago before the NY Times discovered it. It was always wonderful. Over the years, we returned several times, only to see it progressively go down in quality and up in price. We haven't been there in a few years, so hopefully it's improved.

Reviewed by: Jonathan from Stroud, UK, review #343

When: 2000

Corte Sconta was excellent in April 2000 - but it does get widely recommended, so I'm sure that advance booking is essential.

Reviewed by: David from NY (moderator), review #339

When: 1999

Fabulous seafood restaurant.

Directions: From the Rive degli Schiavone take the Calle de Forno to the Calle Pestrin. Corte Sconta is on the right just past a small Campo with a butcher shop and Chinese restaurant. You can take the vaporetto to Arsenale and walk back to your left or get off at San Zaccheria nad walk to the right. Calle de Forno is just before or just past La Pieta.

They customarily start everyone out with a seemingly endless procession of seafood antipasto little dishes. Not sure when they're closed, but call for reservation. Also ask for directions because it's a maze around there -- so what else is new? It's Venice!

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

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Castello: Trattoria Corte Sconta

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