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Santa Croce: Vecio Fritolin

Calle della Regina 2262
www.veciofritolin.it
Closing day: Monday

Reviewed by: AnnieNC from NC, review #3197

When: 2008

Wonderful food, nice atmosphere.

I’d never tried this place but had read good reviews, and when I walked by in December 2008 and saw “moeche” on the menu, I stopped in to have lunch. Moeche are my favorite thing to eat in Venice – they are tiny soft-shell crabs, about the size of a fifty-cent piece, absolutely delicious. At Vecio Fritolin, they were served over polenta and were perfectly fried, crisp but not greasy. I also had water, house prosecco (which came in this cute little ceramic jug) and caffe for 26 euros. Prices are reasonable considering the quality. The place is cozy and the staff were friendly.

Without a doubt, this place has the most interesting and delicious bread basket I’ve ever seen in Venice. It has a variety of unique house-made breads – my favorite thing was this rustic herb cracker but the olive bread was good too. I’m glad I tried this place and I’ll definitely return.

Reviewed by: rkorchid from NH, review #2810

When: 2007

Excellent seafood restaurant; moderately expensive.

Directions: Just off Campo San Cassian.

Three of us had lunch here in October of 2007 and had one of the best meals we have ever eaten in Venice.

We started with an outstandingly elegant dish of scallops. Another starter was a delicious baccala and sardines. Secondi included spaghetti with shrimp and mushrooms and the best frittura mista we have ever had.

With water, a bottle of the house wine (Tocai), coffee and grappa we paid 125 euro.

Unless you arrive very early, I recommend reservations for this justly popular restaurant (tourists and locals).

Reviewed by: sharonzuk from NJ, review #2411

When: 2007

Not a large menu, but wonderful food. I'm glad I found this restaurant. The food - and bread - are among the best in Venice.

Directions: Take the #1 vaporetto and get off at San Stae. Follow the signs to the Rialto bridge and watch for Calle della Regina.

This is an old-fashioned restaurant, with fresh, up-to-date offerings. The bread, pastas and desserts are all made in the restaurant. You'll be tempted to fill up on the wonderful bread - but don't!

The waiter was quick to say it was okay to share plates, so we did. We shared a scallop appetizer, which was three seared scallops with red onions and mint(!). Then we had a risotto of peas and shrimp - it was green and marvelous. Cooked perfectly, I wish I had more. We finished with a fritto misto with zucchini (because "fritolin" comes from the Venetian word for "to fry." Fritolins, according to the restaurant's website, were the original fast-food places. You could order fried fish and take it away to eat. So, when you go to the restaurant, don't be put off by the sign out front that advertises fried fish to go -they're just keeping a tradition alive.

We drank a 2005 Budignano Cabernet Franc from Fruili. The waiter recommended it instead of a more expensive wine that I asked about. At 18 euro, I thought this wine was a bargain.

We ended with a great creme brule and coffee. The waiter treated us to a great digestive: amaro ramazzotti. We'd never had it before - but made sure to take some home in our suitcases.

Total cost: 105 euros. Highly recommended!

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

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Santa Croce: Vecio Fritolin

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