Cantinone già Schiavi

Cantinone gia Schiavi is a wine merchant and bacaro on Fondamenta Nani in the Dorsoduro district of Venice, in the Veneto region of Italy, on the Dorsoduro side of the Rio di San Trovaso, across the water from one of the city's last working gondola boatyards, the Squero di San Trovaso. It has operated as a wine shop and bar since 1963 and is widely regarded as having one of the best crostini spreads in Venice. The counter is stacked with more than twenty varieties of crostini, topped with items such as baccala mantecato, marinated vegetables, cured meats and cheeses, and meant to be eaten quickly with a glass of wine rather than lingered over at a table. Guests point at the toppings they want, order a glass of local Veneto wine, usually white, and eat standing. The shelves behind the bar hold bottles for sale, reflecting its origins as a wine merchant, and the range of local wines by the glass is broad. The atmosphere is casual, friendly and busy, with locals, gondoliers, students and visitors sharing the narrow space, and noise builds at lunchtime and early evening. There is almost no seating, so many people eat outside along the canal, enjoying the view of the boatyard and passing gondolas. There is no dress code. Prices are low, with crostini and glasses of wine costing a few euros each, so a light lunch is inexpensive. The shop opens Monday to Saturday from about half past eight in the morning until half past eight in the evening, and closes on Sunday. Reservations are not required. It works best as a stop between sights, especially combined with a visit to the Accademia galleries, the Zattere waterfront or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection nearby, rather than as a sit-down meal.