Sadley, it was my last day in Venice, the week had flown by. I was still working through the itinerary and thoroughly loving a complex mixture of art, architecture, history, culture and the odd bite to eat. Tonight was the pinnacle of the week from a food perspective, but there were still things to see and do.

Like ‘The Fisherman’ an amazing overbearing structure shown in the middle picture above. The artist, Tom Herck is Belgian and has produced some mind blowing, but unconventional public art installations all over the world. This one was really impressive.

Navigating the Grand Canal, watching Venice’s pace of life was intoxicating, the Fish Market, The terrace of the restaurant ‘Bancogiro’ that I had previously eaten in and ‘Chiesa Di San Stae’, my water bus stop for the next point of interest, the church was closed on Fridays!

The museum of the ‘Palazzo Moncenigo’ was absolutely fascinating. A study centre for Textiles, Costumes and Perfumes it is currently showing the very costumes used in the Epic Film Marco Polo, celebrating the 700th anniversary of Marco Polo’s death, on 8 January 1324.

Stunning paintings adorned the walls, they were everywhere, from British royalty to battle scenes the artwork was stunning. The Perfume section gave an insight into the techniques used in producing the various oils and distillates used in the production of early ‘smells’, a large table laden with vessels and bowls provided the chance to sniff some of the ingredients used, very intoxicating.

Cabinets were full of perfume phials, ornate and precious in their own right, they would have been used for dispensing the various eau de cologne onto the wrist or neck.

Some were unbelievable intricate and obviously made by artists with exceptional skills, the perfume section actually made you think how they managed to produce such wonderful ‘works of art’.

There was a largish flat screen tv showing the RAI produced epic, Marco Polo in the main hall. In adjacent rooms, manikins adorned with the most intricate costumes were on display, the work of Enrico Sabbatini, an extremely talented costume designer, born in 1932 he is associated with a significant number of famous films, the costumes were astounding.

Squero Casal dei Servi is a hidden gem, if you manage to get a visit arranged, It’s more of a preservation project, Gondolers, and well hidden, I managed to find it and unfortunately no one was in! Another brilliant project is Row Venice, the website says “Row Venice is a non-profit organization of passionate women and expert vogatrici, Venetian by birth and by choice. We are dedicated to the preservation of the traditional Venetian cultura acquea and at its center, the voga alla veneta, the Venetian style of rowing: standing up, facing forward, native to Venice and made iconic by the gondoliers. Many of us are also athletes and regatanti, racing all season long and devoted to this Venetian sport that’s as old as the city itself.” Your can see them top right, I noticed several showing people how to ‘row the boats’, their HQ was near to my next stop.

Maybe you guessed it, back to see that church with Tintoretto paintings, wow wow wow, they were magnificent. The architecture was stunning, the paintings had so much power, reverence they took my breath away, it was worth coming back to see the resting place of an amazing artist and his works, and it was empty, no people!

Campo dei Mori, with its almost triangular shape is the location of the Statues of the Moors. It is thought these 3 silk merchants came to Venice in 1112 and built the Palazzo Mastelli. There is a fourth statue on the front left of Tintoretto’s house on Rio Della Sense, take a look back at post no.6 and click on the picture to expand it, and you will see the turban headed statue. Time for a bite to eat!

Yet another very carefully chosen restaurant was Ostaria Da Rioba, just around the corner from the Church and Statues, carefully planned for its perfect location next to the canal, I ate inside!

I managed to capture the chefs in their natural habitat, at a table eating their own food before service. This is another one of those ‘gems’ worth travelling to, the food was simple and damn delicious. The home made reginette pasta, the long usually too thick with crinkled edges one, was slightly less rugged, more delicate and definitely home made, the pasta was bathed in a delightful Guinea Fowl Ragu with dried Plums, It was glorious and rich.

Being a fish person mostly, the Tuna was too tempting, done Tataki style with Black Sesame Seeds it was the days special, the Rialto Fish Market was obviously doing its thing, providing the best fresh produce with the restaurants taking advantage, I am glad they did, it was wowzer.

As I have previously said, ALL the restaurants I ate in during my epic visit to Venice where chosen for a reason, they were all outstanding irrespective of cost and rating, they all delivered on value, service, quality of food, menu choices, I had reserved the icing on the cake for the last night, The 2 Michelin star Restaurant GLAM nestled inside the Palazzo Venart Luxury Hotel.

I have been fortunate to eat in another 2* Restaurant, La Table de Franck Putelat in Carcassonne whilst attending The French House Party Cookery School in South West France, twice in fact so I had a benchmark to compare against.

Let’s say it WAS an experience, an epic experience, one that I had not felt before. Don’t go and have the full tasting menu you have eaten lunch, that’s all I can say, there is a LOT of awesome food to tackle.

The dining room is delightful, overlooking a beautiful garden, the restaurant seats a maximum of 30 people, it was very serene with background music at an appropriate level. Sharp dressed staff performed an amazing act all evening, timing the delivery of dishes to each table like a well rehearsed theatre, ensuring everyone had the experience of a lifetime.

It would take me too long to describe each dish, The use of local flowers and herbs, delicate but punchy favours, perfectly matched by the sommeliers wine, beer and tea choice, service was impeccable as you would expect, the ‘experience’ lasted nearly 4 1/2 hours and I could not manage dessert!

Each picture should expand if you select it with your mouse, so you should get a close in view, the artistry was just off the planet, it was truly brilliant.

That was it, job done, I had Eaten Venice and managed to stay clear of crowds, the experience had been mind blowing. Everything had been perfect, planning worked, food, well you have seen the pictures. The Tribute To Music Residenza had been the perfect base, the various trips to museums, churches, important sights had been delightful.

……………………. Until Next Time ………….. L8ers ………………….