It's the dog days of summer here in Venice. I'm talking HOT. VERY HOT. And humid. As much as I love beach time, it's been almost too hot for that too. I've been spending time indoors, trying to keep as cool as possible, doing lots of reading instead.
Last night the electricity in our building went out twice. My friend Jill around the corner from us told me it went out 3 times in her building. I'm convinced this little "brown-out" was a sly message from our electric company: they wanted us all to do without the AC for a while. I have news for them. It's hot, I'm keeping on the AC. Supposedly this heat wave will last another week or so. I'm planning on a few more brown-outs along the way.
I've decided I'm going to try something new on here on the blog. I'm going to start a new feature I'm calling "Secondo me" (English translation - in my opinion), where I'm going to share some of my favorite little tips and secrets. So here goes...
Secondo me.....
If you ask most Venetians for a favorite restaurant recommendation, you can be sure the name they give you is maybe their second or third favorite. They are very reluctant to give away their favorite, because they don't want it to be overrun with tourists. This quasi-Venetian has taken on that same trait in recent years. But... I'm tossing caution to the wind here because recently a few new restaurants and bars around town have blown my socks off. These guys deserve to succeed and I am happy, happy, happy to pass along my highest accolades.
Today I'm singing the praises of Trattoria da Jonny, a new little place in Campo della Gate in Castello. (Michelle, if you are reading this, that's right! Just across Ponte dei Scudi!). A few months ago we noticed renovation work going on in earnest inside a tiny little place on the corner of this campo that had been closed tighter than a drum for years. We were curious, and very hopeful this wouldn't turn into a tourist trinket shop, which is about the only things we see springing up left and right. The gods were with us on this one. Mid-May a new restaurant opened it doors in the campo, including lovely tables and chairs outside.
The first week they were open we stopped by for dinner. Mike chose the roast duck, I tried the spaghetti con seppie nero. Both scrumptiously prepared, and beautifully presented. This place got high marks for everything, from ambiance to service to table wine, it has it all. We met the owner, Jonny; Hugo, the chef; and the waiter Joe. Ever since that day whenever I pass by the place, Joe gives me one of his huge smiles and a happy "Ciao!"
I had to end the meal with the tortina di ciccolata. Molten on the inside, to die for. I'm already planning my next meal here- just the octopus salad and the tortina. Buonissimo!
Last night the electricity in our building went out twice. My friend Jill around the corner from us told me it went out 3 times in her building. I'm convinced this little "brown-out" was a sly message from our electric company: they wanted us all to do without the AC for a while. I have news for them. It's hot, I'm keeping on the AC. Supposedly this heat wave will last another week or so. I'm planning on a few more brown-outs along the way.
I've decided I'm going to try something new on here on the blog. I'm going to start a new feature I'm calling "Secondo me" (English translation - in my opinion), where I'm going to share some of my favorite little tips and secrets. So here goes...
Secondo me.....
If you ask most Venetians for a favorite restaurant recommendation, you can be sure the name they give you is maybe their second or third favorite. They are very reluctant to give away their favorite, because they don't want it to be overrun with tourists. This quasi-Venetian has taken on that same trait in recent years. But... I'm tossing caution to the wind here because recently a few new restaurants and bars around town have blown my socks off. These guys deserve to succeed and I am happy, happy, happy to pass along my highest accolades.
Today I'm singing the praises of Trattoria da Jonny, a new little place in Campo della Gate in Castello. (Michelle, if you are reading this, that's right! Just across Ponte dei Scudi!). A few months ago we noticed renovation work going on in earnest inside a tiny little place on the corner of this campo that had been closed tighter than a drum for years. We were curious, and very hopeful this wouldn't turn into a tourist trinket shop, which is about the only things we see springing up left and right. The gods were with us on this one. Mid-May a new restaurant opened it doors in the campo, including lovely tables and chairs outside.
The first week they were open we stopped by for dinner. Mike chose the roast duck, I tried the spaghetti con seppie nero. Both scrumptiously prepared, and beautifully presented. This place got high marks for everything, from ambiance to service to table wine, it has it all. We met the owner, Jonny; Hugo, the chef; and the waiter Joe. Ever since that day whenever I pass by the place, Joe gives me one of his huge smiles and a happy "Ciao!"
Monday, after a long hot morning in and around Venice, I decided a good lunch was in order. I phoned Mike and invited him to meet me at da Jonny's. This time we started with an octopus salad to share. I can't believe I forgot to snap a photo! It is the best octopus we'd ever had!
Next up, a rombo for Mike and frito misto for me.
I had to end the meal with the tortina di ciccolata. Molten on the inside, to die for. I'm already planning my next meal here- just the octopus salad and the tortina. Buonissimo!
So, friends, when in Venice, secondo me RUN, don't walk, to Trattoria da Jonny. Tell them I sent you.
Trattoria da Jonny, Campo della Gate, Castello 3210 +39 041 296 0065
Reservations would be a good idea. They are small, and have loyal local patrons already.
