What is a trattoria you might ask? When traveling in Italy, you’ll certainly come across bars and restaurants with trattoria, ristorante, and an osteria in their names. Prior to dining at La Rosa dei Venti, I had no idea what these terms meant and the differences between them. Thankfully, Albero, the owner of Trattaoria La Rosa Dei Venit, took the time to explain the differences to me.
Historically, a ristorante is generally a full service, formal restaurant with professional kitchen staff, host/hostesses, and a more upscale ambiance. As such, they’re the pricier out of the three. Trattorias are traditionally family owned, casual eating establishments and they typically serve fresh, conventional local food. In the “old days,” there were no printed menus and wine is dold by the decanter, rather than by the bottle as in ristorante. Last are osterias, which are wine bars. They usually have no menu but you will find that some offer simple, light meals.
Now that that’s out of the way, Trattaoria La Rosa Dei Venti is located near the bus station alongside a beautiful canal. The restaurant holds the distinction of being the only Venetian style trattoria in it’s district due to the ever changing demographic and economy of the neighborhood. Upon entering, you are greeted with vibrant colors and artwork typical of classic Venetian trattorias. The place mats are made of paper and the menu is very simple in order to maintain the authentic Venetian feel.
Though casual in setting, the menu boasts a wide variety of dining options that include typical Venetian dishes, pastas, pizzas and more. Venetian liver and scallops au gratin are two of their most well known dishes. If you’re unsure of what to order, the waiters are on hand to explain, in detail, every dish for which you may have questions. They will also make recommendations if you can’t seem to make up your mind.
I decided to go with the house recommendations and tried two appetizers, consisting of cream of corn with maize porridge, fried sardines, prosciutto with melon, tomato with cheese and of course breads. A fine way to begin a dining experience. As seafood is one of their specialties, I couldn’t pass up their spaghetti a la scona. This is a spaghetti dish with oysters, shrimp and calamari. It’s served inside aluminum foil in order to keep the food piping hot and also, in typical trattoria style, once you’ve had enough, you can simply pack it up in the foil and take it with you. Don’t forget to satisfy your sweet tooth vanilla ice cream with amaretto. You’ll be glad you did.
Seafood Spaghetti
You can find Trattaoria La Rosa Dei Venti online at www.trattorialarosadeiventi.it
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- Fetuccini and meat
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- Vanilla Ice Cream w/ Amaretto
Geron is an avid traveler, entreprenuer and mens style aficionado. He love’s mac and cheese, getting discounts, his momma, and a good whiskey, not particularly in that order. It’s alleged he lives in Miami, but no one really knows anymore.
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