We were recommended to eat at the Antico Martini by the concierge at the Hotel Kette, it being less than a stone’s throw across the bridge from the entrance. In better weather it must be stunning, but even in the rain the ambience is not to be faulted. The staff collected our umbrellas, waterproofs and hat and ushered us to a table under the rainproof awning looking out on to the small square which still sported a smattering of tourists braving the weather.
The menu and wine list were duly provided together with a complimentary hors d’ouvre in the shape of a miniature kilner jar containing a parfait of basil sauce and a whole prawn. Exquisite!
Helen and Josephine chose the giant scampi with courgette; I opted for the tagliatelli with prawn and wild mushrooms whilst Trevor decided on the veal. Helen chose a glass of rosé and the rest of us shared a bottle of the local red, Rosso del Veronese, which proved to be eminently drinkable.
You are probably fed up with me using superlatives but, if you are eating in Venice, this is a restaurant not to be missed. The scampi would have been lobsters in another life, the tagliatelli sauce was as delicate as (good taste leaves me speechless) whilst Trevor’s veal melted in the mouth. I speak from firsthand knowledge.
Somebody slipped in the sweet menu and, having gone a whole day with very little sustenance, we were caught in another trap. The girls settled for the fruit tart and the boys for the baked crepes stuffed with vanilla sauce (and raspberries and blackcurrants). I got a share of Trevor’s as well!
We (Trevor and I) decided on a coffee and liqueur to end the experience. The grappa is a must, although Trevor disagrees on this and settled for Benedictine!
The price tag of €326, including 14% service, reflected the quality of both the cuisine and the service so we have no complaints.