I know fish is supposed to be the only thing you eat while in Venice, but given the fact that much of the seafood is actually shipped in from afar, it’s only natural that there should be some good meaty places to go, right?
La Bitta is a cozy little restaurant that not only specializes in meat, they don’t do fish at all. The restaurant is tiny, with only about a dozen tables in two rooms. In the summer the small courtyard in the back holds a few extra tables.
The meat is all sourced very carefully, coming from a small farm inland. The menu is market- driven, and so changes seasonally, with lots of interesting vegetables as well.
A recent fall meal started with a Pear, Cheese and Walnut salad. Simple, fresh and delicious. If you’re going to try Fegato alla Veneziana (Veal Liver with Onions) this is one of the best places to order it. Cooked until just tender, but still pink inside, the liver was smothered with sweet caramelized onions, and served on a bed of creamy white polenta. So many other restaurants serve pre-cooked slabs of polenta, it’s nice to have it all creamy and rich once in a while.
The wine list, overseen by the owner Deborah, is impressive for such a casual place. And if you can’t make a choice, Deborah is happy to advise.
Since the place is tiny, make sure you reserve. Also, they don’t accept credit cards.
La Bitta
Calle Lunga de San Barnaba, Venice
Dosoduro
+39.041.523.0531
Dinner daily, 6:30-12.. Closed Sunday.
No credit cards.
For more information on dining in Venice, download my app, EAT VENICE, available on iTunes.
A nice little place, agree! Husband had to run to the ATM by the Accademia bridge the first time we dined there a few years back, since we did not know about the no credit cards policy and did not have enough cash with us. 🙂
So, the “best” fegato” this past December was at the Antiche Carampane, which is all about seafood and only a dish or two of non-seafood for outliers like husband. The liver was phenomenal! Who would have thought?
Ooh, do you have a good pear, cheese and walnut recipe?
Why yes I do! Since you ask. http://www.elizabethminchilli.com/2012/01/radicchio-pear-walnut-salad/
Next to La Zucca, this is our favourite restaurant in Venice. We go here every Biennale since around 2009, except last time when our holiday coincided with theirs. Looking forward to going again this May!
Next to La Zucca, this is our favourite restaurant in Venice. We go here every Biennale since around 2009, except last time when our holiday coincided with theirs. Looking forward to going again this May!