I am forever being asked for suggestions on where to find non-tourist Venice. My usual reply is that unfortunately it can be very difficult, especially if you don’t speak Italian. However, if you’re willing for an evening to go outside your Four Seasons comfort zone…

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In the Where Should We Go category, I’m going to begin adding entries for restaurants and eateries that are favorites of mine, along with reports of when I last visited them and why I like them. I’m not sure I’d call them “reviews,” officially; but I will tell you that I do love to eat, am picky about not only about the quality of the fare, but the service and care that’s attached to it, from the casual pizzeria on up. My favorite places are pivately owned and personally run. After your meal, you’ll definitely want to let both the server and the proprietors know if and how much you enjoyed it.

I’m not on a mission to try every restaurant in Venice, so this will be a bit of an ad-hoc list. There will be restaurants that are already quite well-known, those that are run by friends, and those with whom I have no personal connection whatsoever. The bottom line will be that you’ll (hopefully) not be disappointed should you try them.

A reminder: Most Venice eateries are quite small, with limited seating, and the good ones are no secret. You must reserve; especially in the evening, especially on the weekend, especially on common closing days. That, and if you reserve and change your mind, please, do them the courtesy to call and cancel, or have your lodging do it…even at the last minute. Manners mean more the money here; your consideration will not go unnoticed.

What a race.

First filly to win the Belmont in over 100 years, first ever at a mile-and-a-half, and with such panache. Girl, you go. Here’s the article…

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/horse/index

…and the race (hold on to your hats).

You can take the girl outta Kentucky… (yeah, lulu)

Tonight, at 6p, if you’re not headed for one of the many Biennale suorées, inaugurazioni, and other festivities held throughout the city, you might enjoy stopping by San Leonardo at 6p. The opening there is for a show with works painted by the students of a course offered by Professor Maurizio Favaretto. Sara Bardino, an extraordinary mezzosoprano (and my voice instructor) along with Davide Sibilla will be performing a variety of selections, lyric and otherwise (Voi che sapete…). Nothing amateur about this, my friends, you’d be doing yourself a favor by stopping in.

• Friday, June 8, 6p
• San Leonardo
• Rio Terà San Leonardo, just below the Guglie bridge.
• No charge
• From the San Marcuola stop, head toward the main Rio Terà and turn left. San Leonardo is at the back of a big campo on the left.

About the school (if you can’t read Italian, just look at the illustrations):

www.liceoartistico.ve.it

Oh, and Sara’s students have upcoming concerts on the Thursday the 21st and Monday the 25th, at the Scuola Grande di San Teodoro, across from the Chiesa di San Salvador near the Rialto bridge on the San Marco side. These are free concerts, all locals (I am the only import), including one night of lyric opera selections (Rossini, Bellini, and more), another consisting of plethora of delightful Handel duets. Details to follow!

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