Venice Wine & Dine: Elegant Four-Course Dinner with Wine Pairings

This was my first trip to Italy and to Venice. I am a wine enthusiast and mistakenly believed this experience would entail discussion about Italian wines. The most interaction I received about the wines being served with dinner was my request to view the labels of the wine bottles as they were poured before the server scurried off to attend to other tables. The service was chaotic. All tables are seated at either 1900 or 2100. The wait staff were overwhelmed with serving all tables simultaneously, and it was difficult to gain their attention once our meal was complete. Furthermore, the waiting area is in a bar. The loud volume of the bar patrons did not set a relaxing tone for the evening. Although the courses served were enjoyable, they were not exceptional. As we had dined with multiple courses, but no wine, for around 100€ per meal the previous two nights, the price tag of $340 USD seemed overpriced. I would not recommend this experience.

+2

Perfect settings, great service, food and wines were excellent. Dishes and wine were explained to us, it was very interesting.

The Venice wine pairing dinner was wonderful. Wine was fabulous and dessert was excellent. The bigger was wonderful.

<p>Great experience. The venue was wonderful with a great waitstaff. The courses were perfect as was the matched wines. Id do this again.</p>

<p>Lovely dinner in the inner courtyard of the restaurant. Our server was very knowledgeable about each of the wines he served us. The food was excellent, as well. It was a welcome respite from the crowds of tourists.</p>

<p>The meal was great and the sommelier took the time and effort to talk to us about the wine chosen to accompany each course with amazing detail and passion he even offered to email us the wines selected for future reference, which was a nice touch.</p> <p>We arrived promptly at 7pm as instructed which was a little disconcerting as the place was pretty empty. However it soon filled-up. The restaurant part of the hotel/bar was accommodated in an awning with solid sides and roof. During the meal the roof was opened, but the evening air was quite chilly as it had rained that day so for the rest of the evening it was a little cold and some diners remained wearing their jackets/coats. The roof opened possibly for the benefit of the staff who as usual were busying themselves around the tables. Perhaps the staff should have noticed that their patrons put jumpers and or jackets on and thought a little bit more about the temperature for the benefit of their guests?</p> <p>Also I understand that our evening would last a good few hours as we were eating 4/5 courses however the meal seemed a little rushed once it was underway. We were required to select at the outset our 4 courses. This I presumed was so the sommelier could then determine which wine would accompany which course, although perhaps that is being naive as in reality there was only a choice of two meal selections for each course so I would think wines were already pre-selected based upon the meal selected! At one point we had to ask them to slow down the service as we felt we were being rushed and frankly we need time between the substantial meals of each course to gather our breath. We did notice that they were looking to turn-over the tables when they did become empty as there were people queuing throughout the evening to get a table, so maybe that's a reason for the quick service, although once we asked them to slow down there did not seem to be a rush to get us away from the table. Maybe if you contemplate doing this ask them at the outset to pause until you are ready between courses.</p> <p>We thought the experience was very good and as especially as it was a treat for my wife's birthday and we considered it, for this reason alone, worth the expense. I would say it is a good special occasion venue and experience and although good we had had equally good meals in other places during our stay, perhaps not 4 courses who can eat that much food in one sitting regularly anyway!.</p> <p>Would I do it again? Probably not, but I'm glad I did experience it. I would however eat at the venue again even though it is normally a little pricier than other restaurants we would hope the evening weather was a little warmer though!. The wine selection is excellent and the food cooked perfectly so that's a good enough reason for me to go back.</p>

<p>excellent outdoor location. very good meal and wine, a lot of food. Keep in mind that this is really not a group event. We sat at a table by ourselves as did the other three people that did this event.</p>

<p>Dinner was fine but this is way over priced. I would not recommend this,</p>

<p>The food, staff and atmosphere were all exceptional.</p> <p>The staff took the time to explain the wine pairings and the portion size was more than sufficient. </p> <p>Great experienced.</p>

<p>Top rate service and a wonderful experience in Venice!</p>