It was about time I went to Venice, only 13 yrs after my arrival in Italy!
I had sort of feared it because of the many warnings about the hords of tourists. But it was lots better than I imagined, maybe because of the time of year, maybe because we got lost in an area of town where there were nothing but venetians, maybe because we had dinner in the most memorable Enoiteca ever, or maybe because we were only there for 24 hours!
Anyway, I have to tell you about the Enoiteca. Actually, we had been having dinner the night before in Padova at Le Calandre (see previous post for picture of chef) and as we were having dinner with our friend Luca from Padova (who's a pastry chef and single - if anyone's interested maybe I can hook you up!), he says to us that we have to go to this place and eat in Venice called Mascareta. I wasn't really paying attention to the conversation, especially because those northern accents really tire my ears, but suddenly this very original character is sitting with us at the tabel. And what a character! It just so happened that the owner, Mauro, of the restaurant in Venice was in the same restaurant as us that night, so we certainly had a date for the next evening in Venice!
So after getting lost in the alleys of Venice and with feet hurting from blisters, we decided to head for an early dinner. We find Enoiteca Mascareta, get a seat and start ordering. Mauro, our new friend, arrives a little later and then starts taking full care of us. We had the most amazing food, and gallons of wine - all sorts that he just started bringing us. "Natural" wines that had very little to do with what the modern palate is used to. However, extremely interesting and an extraordinary entertaining night. We didn't get back to the hotel 'till 2 am - completely exhausted and probably a little hazy! The good thing in Venice is that you don't have to drive anywhere so you can drink without danger!!!
I could tell you lots more about Mauro and his fantastic ideas, but it would get too long...
I had sort of feared it because of the many warnings about the hords of tourists. But it was lots better than I imagined, maybe because of the time of year, maybe because we got lost in an area of town where there were nothing but venetians, maybe because we had dinner in the most memorable Enoiteca ever, or maybe because we were only there for 24 hours!
Anyway, I have to tell you about the Enoiteca. Actually, we had been having dinner the night before in Padova at Le Calandre (see previous post for picture of chef) and as we were having dinner with our friend Luca from Padova (who's a pastry chef and single - if anyone's interested maybe I can hook you up!), he says to us that we have to go to this place and eat in Venice called Mascareta. I wasn't really paying attention to the conversation, especially because those northern accents really tire my ears, but suddenly this very original character is sitting with us at the tabel. And what a character! It just so happened that the owner, Mauro, of the restaurant in Venice was in the same restaurant as us that night, so we certainly had a date for the next evening in Venice!
So after getting lost in the alleys of Venice and with feet hurting from blisters, we decided to head for an early dinner. We find Enoiteca Mascareta, get a seat and start ordering. Mauro, our new friend, arrives a little later and then starts taking full care of us. We had the most amazing food, and gallons of wine - all sorts that he just started bringing us. "Natural" wines that had very little to do with what the modern palate is used to. However, extremely interesting and an extraordinary entertaining night. We didn't get back to the hotel 'till 2 am - completely exhausted and probably a little hazy! The good thing in Venice is that you don't have to drive anywhere so you can drink without danger!!!
I could tell you lots more about Mauro and his fantastic ideas, but it would get too long...
But when in Venice, make sure to look up this restaurant or ENOITECA as it is classified by Mauro himself, founder of the International Enoiteca Association.
Enoiteca Mascareta
Wine Bar
Calle Lunga S. Maria Formosa, 5183
Venezia Tel: 041-5230744
Open from 7pm to 2 pm
Enoiteca Mascareta
Wine Bar
Calle Lunga S. Maria Formosa, 5183
Venezia Tel: 041-5230744
Open from 7pm to 2 pm
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