Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti

Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti is on Fondamenta della Toletta in the Dorsoduro sestiere of Venice, in Italy's Veneto region, in the artists' and students' quarter near the Accademia galleries and Campo Santa Margherita. It combines a wine bar with a trattoria, so the offer runs from a glass of wine with a small plate to a full seated meal. The cuisine is Venetian, and the kitchen is known for a Venetian tapas board of cicchetti-style small plates, a seasonal risotto, and fegato alla veneziana, the classic dish of thinly sliced calf's liver with slow-cooked onions. The wine programme is a highlight, with the venue noted for outstanding wine by the glass, which lets diners pair different bottles with each course rather than committing to one. The setting is romantic, with tables beside the canal, and the mood is relaxed, more intimate than boisterous, and suited to couples or small groups. The noise level is moderate, and dress is casual to smart-casual. The osteria opens Monday to Saturday for lunch (12PM-3PM) and dinner (7PM-10:30PM) and is closed on Sunday. Reservations are recommended on +39 041 523 8944, especially for the canal-side tables on warm evenings, when booking a few days ahead is sensible. Prices are mid-range ($$) for Venice. The location makes it easy to combine with a visit to the Accademia, the Zattere waterfront or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and the surrounding streets are quieter than the routes around Rialto and San Marco. It suits visitors who care about the wine list as much as the plate, and who want a seat by the water without the price of a formal restaurant.