Current Events > My lady and I eloped in Venice, Italy. Gorgeous place but they could use a few

(+) Yeah! (+)

Olive Gardens.

Well technically, we eloped in the Dolomites (the mountains a couple hours north of Venice). The food there was actually pretty great for the most part. We honeymooned in Venice.

Almost every cafe and restaurant we went to had nearly identical menus and the food was laughably bad. The only good meals we had while there were at the high-end hotels, which obviously carried a high-end price.

ayy, congrats

Whenever I was in Rome, Naples, Venice, or any other place in Italy all the best places I ever ate in where Mom and Pop hole in the wall small places where you like walked down some stairs from street level to some underground eatery.

But that was back in the 90's the last time I was there.

boxoto posted...

ayy, congrats

Thanks!

archizzy posted...

Whenever I was in Rome, Naples, Venice, or any other place in Italy all the best places I ever ate in where Mom and Pop hole in the wall small places where you like walked down some stairs from street level to some underground eatery.

But that was back in the 90's the last time I was there.

We asked so many locals and workers and were disappointed basically every time

archizzy posted...

Whenever I was in Rome, Naples, Venice, or any other place in Italy all the best places I ever ate in where Mom and Pop hole in the wall small places where you like walked down some stairs from street level to some underground eatery.

But that was back in the 90's the last time I was there.

Nah, that's still how it works. Just walk down the street and find a place that's open. Guaranteed to be better than any chain place in the States. And you can buy wine by the liter for like 3 pounds

were any of your loved ones down about you not having a bigger wedding/not being able to attend?

boxoto posted...

were any of your loved ones down about you not having a bigger wedding/not being able to attend?

A bit, but they understand that weddings are expensive as hell.

When I went I stayed in a cheap hotel in Lido and got good food around there. Everything in Venice proper was bad, had similar experience in Rome even though I tried to avoid touristy-looking places. Fortunately the coffee was amazing but I was disappointed with the food, I guess you have to know where to go. Tried going to some places recommended online or in our guide book but they were closed even though it wasn't summer or winter when you'd expect the staff to be on vacation. France is way easier to get good restaurant food with little effort.

Venice is super overfucked by tourism, and there just isn't any secret good spot anymore. The best available is in the generic-looking pubs, I favor Ae Oche, the one with the duck heads on the sign.

Side note: They sell some really nice butterfly knives in one of the trinket shops near the central area.

Did you drink Pinot Grigio?

This topic has me craving some good pasta.

Italy is full of shitty tourist trap restaurants.

I hope you didn't go to Italy expecting Italian American food. Congrats, in any event.

Any pics of The Dolomite?

I'm Northern Italian fair skinned with Blue Eyes, my Grandfather used to joke that some people got over the Mountains.

Also, have you played Isonzo?

archizzy posted...

Whenever I was in Rome, Naples, Venice, or any other place in Italy all the best places I ever ate in where Mom and Pop hole in the wall small places where you like walked down some stairs from street level to some underground eatery.

But that was back in the 90's the last time I was there.

Its funny because the best pizza shops on the East coast are smaller, family owned restaurants in strip malls or old commercial zoned buildings on "Main Street" in smaller towns.

People who have only had big chain pizza have no idea.

Torgo posted...

People who have only had big chain pizza have no idea.

Lots of people in other, lesser regions think chains beat out mom n' pops, but that's only cause they don't have any good mom n' pops.

Guide posted...

Lots of people in other, lesser regions think chains beat out mom n' pops, but that's only cause they don't have any good mom n' pops.

I call the shitties pizza in town, The Best Pizza - in Alabama.

~Just my side of town has so much good pizza.
Twice as much on the other side.

It's funny that the few shitty places still exist.

Congrats!!!

Thats what my parents said about the food in Rome, it was gross and they only place that had decent food was the Hardrock Cafe

Returning_CEmen posted...

Thats what my parents said about the food in Rome, it was gross and they only place that had decent food was the Hardrock Cafe

I think a lot of people don't understand Italian food, or Italians in general.

SiO4 posted...

I think a lot of people don't understand Italian food, or Italians in general.

Nah Rome is actually just full of shit overpriced food because of tourists.

My family lives in the southern part of Italy and most of the restaurants around the neighborhood there are great.

You have no realistic way of ever finding any of it unless you speak Italian though.

Tyranthraxus posted...

Nah Rome is actually just full of shit overpriced food because of tourists.

My family lives in the southern part of Italy and most of the restaurants around the neighborhood there are great.

You have no realistic way of ever finding any of it unless you speak Italian though.

And which region of Italian?

But yes, as always the small family-run places are always better.

The best food in Italy is definitely not In Venice lol. Even Rome is very hit or miss, unless youre paying for the top of the chain in Rome youre not gonna get a good food experience either. Venice especially was bad, if you want good food go to Civitavecchia. Its still touristy because they have boat ferries that land there, but all the food is legit for the most part especially the seafood. Or go to Mount Tolfa, Tuscany or anywhere inbetween. Porto Santo Stefano was overall the most beautiful spot for food + scenery I went last time.

SiO4 posted...

Any pics of The Dolomite?

I'm Northern Italian fair skinned with Blue Eyes, my Grandfather used to joke that some people got over the Mountains.

Also, have you played Isonzo?

Only pic I have at the moment. Wifey and our photographer took all the pics on this trip. Pics don't do the place justice. It's straight out of a fairytale.
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