Trattoria Da Silvio
While having lunch with a friend of mine the other day, I ran across a hidden little place in Dorsoduro, Trattoria da Silvio. This cozy and wonderful restaurant offers a small breath of fresh air from the hustle and bustle of "tourist Venice". Hidden near the University on a back road it boasts a wonderful variety of typical Venetian dishes as well as the traditional pastas and pizzas that you can expect while visiting the area. The inside is warm and comfortable, but the best part of the restaurant is the back patio that has plenty of room to give you and your dining partner some room to breath after a long day of cramped Venice streets.
I had a wonderful dish of penne all'arrabiata (penne with a spicy sauce made with bacon and onions) and my friend had the fried calamari which was also delightful. The wine list is complete enough for a light lunch or heavy, filling dinner and is quite complete with a wide variety of wines from different regions. We tried a lovely bottle of Montepulciano, not too strong but not too weak either. The house wine is good for a hot summer day as it is slightly chilled when served. This restaurant is perfect for the budget traveler but is elegant enough to support that special night out. The friendly and fast service almost made our heads spin. The price is right and the portions are a plateful! Don't pass by if you are in the neighborhood.