This tiny informal trattoria is in a class by itself.  Their formula is simple.  Pick the best possible ingredients, mostly, seafood, and prepare them simply and elegantly.  The food is absolutely exquisite and delicious and the professional staff extraordinarily welcoming.  In a room dominated by a long bar where you can see through to the kitchen, there are seats for 22.  The menu changes constantly accordingly to what’s available in the market so we could happily eat here every night.  Be sure to make a reservation in advance.  Favorites:  Grilled razor clams; clams with ginger; grilled bronzino;  warm calamari salad, spaghetti with bevarasse (Venetian) clams; grilled octopus with gazpacho sauce.

This tiny, very pretty five-table restaurant offers warm and welcoming service and delicious elegant cuisine. There isn’t a printed menu as the dishes change daily depending on what is available at the market. Daily specials, which typically include seafood and meat, are artfully prepared and beautifully presented.  Favorites: mixed seafood appetizer; grilled lamb chops; beautiful petits fours with warm freshly baked chocolate hazelnut brownies.

Every other year, Venice hosts The Venice Biennale, a huge sprawling exhibition of international contemporary art. It’s crowded, hectic, exhausting and a wonderful opportunity to see contemporary art at pavilions from all over the world. If you plan to go, book hotels and restaurant reservations well in advance.

The main venue is at The Giardini, and there are also exhibitions at the Arsenale and at other locations throughout Venice.

The glamorous masks and jewels in Swarovski crystals sold here as well as the costumes sold and/or rented make this a convenient stop for a Carnivale event.

A pretty informal trattoria on a quiet campo near the Rialto which serves traditional Venetian cuisine updated with their own flourishes.  The emphasis is on seafood and changes with the market, but the grilled and fried dishes are first rate. Something to be aware of … the menu indicates that the fish stew is cooked in parchment, but it actually is served steaming hot in a plastic bag.

A small cozy family-run “Ristorante” (there is also a smaller version right next door) which serves excellent traditional Venetian cuisine.  Isabella and Dino, the couple who are the owners, emphasize seafood but there are meat and poultry choices also.  The menu is small as it changes daily.