Algiubagio, Venice

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CANNAREGIO Not to be confused with their Restaurant further along FN.

I was waiting for the vaporetto to San Michele, when I spotted this place, the pizzas smelt delicious, so I decided to eat here before getting the waterbus.

I was surprised to see that it was called Algiubagio, as the restaurant of the same name is a few metres away - apparently it is owned by the same people. This was a good reason to eat here- I'd enjoyed a drink here at my previous visit, and was looking forward to eating there during this visit - especially since I'd read many good reviews in food and travel articles.

This place is quite small and is divided into 2 areas of Pizzeria and Ice cream parlour. There was just one young man serving. Very handsome! - I'm sure that the Algiubagio group only employ gorgeous men!

As I arrived, he was in the process of removing pizzas from the oven, then slicing them into portions. I pointed to the pizza that I wanted - topping of cheese, mushrooms and artichoke hearts. I ate this outside -Mmmm delicious - nice herb flavour, with a base that was just right!

Now, it's December 26th, it's quite cold - Oh Yes, I'll have an Ice Cream!!

I've recently become quite addicted to good ice cream, and the ones on display looked quite appetising. I selected a double scoop of velvety chocolate in a cone.
Again, delicious!!

I paid 2.00 euros for the pizza and 2 euros for the Ice cream - Well worth it!!

I'll certainly visit here again!
Christmas 2008- got here just as they were closing, - :-(

UPDATE Christmas 2009 - I'm afraid that this place was less appealing this visit- I wanted a coffee but the machine was 'Broken' which I interpreted as 'not worth setting up for just one person' There were a lot of scruffy hand scribbled price lists in the window, and above the counter one of those electric display boards with photos of pizzas etc.

I did return the next day for a slice of pizza and a coffee which were both good, but the service wasn't as charming as my previous visit (the 'handsome staff policy' had ceased too!)

However, I'll still return here for pizza and coffee.

Favorite Dish: The pizza slice was first class -- very tasty. Tomato base, cheese, artichoke hearts, and I think ham - this could have been a Pizza Capricciosa (if so, I think it would have had egg as well) - I just pointed to the one that had just come out of the oven, and wolfed it down!

The dark chocolate ice cream was quality! rich, creamy with the right mix of bitterness/sweetness

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From my previous tip, you can see that I was looking forward to eating here. I wanted to eat here Christmas Day 2008, but being a Tuesday, it was closed - but it was open Boxing Day .
There was a board with a menu outside, I was nearly drooling looking at the choices -one in particular made me smile - Beef with apple and chocolate!!!

Well after a days sightseeing, I'd built up an appetite.

I felt a bit nervous entering the restaurant by myself - as a lone female, I like to be able to suss out a place from the outside - is there a table tucked away?, is it full of romantic couples? Is it too fancy?etc etc.

I was greeted by one of the waiters, and I asked if there was a table for one. He said yes, and held out his arm to escort me to a table at the side of the room - Perfect!!!

I ordered the aforementioned beef, with a salad and glass of sparkling water, and asked the waiters advice on which wine to choose, he recommended one that would compliment the richness of the dish - a Nero Avola - apparently this red wine grape comes from Sicily, and is similar to a Syrah or Shiraz.

While waiting for my food, I had brought a book to read. One of the waiters had spotted it and had got quite excited- it was Anthony Bourdains 'Kitchen Confidential' which I was enjoying reading. He picked it up and said that he was a big fan of Anthony Bourdain. Later he returned with another waiter and asked if I was here for a special reason.

I found out later that apparently someone who knows Mr B. quite well, had eaten at this restaurant. The staff were keen that AB should come to their restaurant to try their dishes, especially the beef and chocolate (as he's noted for trying unusual dishes) As I'd ordered this dish, and was reading his book, they'd thought that I was connected in some way - I wish!!

Well, the beef was superlative!!!
It was well presented . The waiter explained that there were slices of sharp raw apple, pieces of cooked apple and the chocolate sauce. He advised that I ate a small piece of each with the beef to get the contrasting flavours.
Wow!!! The beef on its own was gorgeous, very tender and with a good flavour, but the chocolate and apple blew me away. I've had apple with pork, but not beef before, though I've had chocolate with beef in chilli dishes.
This was definitely my 'Last Meal' main course choice! I even had a photo of it as my 'phone screen saver for a while!!

All in All, I'd had a great night here, it was well worth a visit - Great food, lovely atmosphere, and charming waiters! I felt quite at ease here.

Venice has a reputation for poor food, I'd say that this place is one of those establishments trying to change the cities reputation.
UPDATE - to celebrate my 50th Birthday, It had to be Venice, with my friends, and this was where I wanted to eat. As I was in Venice for Christmas, I had chance to call in and book a table -this would be for the first night that Algiubagio re-opened, after some refurbishment.

For the next few weeks, Giulio (one of the owners) and I were e-mailing, while a menu and budget was decided on. I liked the choices, but was aware, that my friends might not be in favour of the dishes, or price. It was decided that some would probably chose from the main menu on the night - I was starting to get quite apprehensive as the meal approached-in the end, I needn't have worried, from start to finish, we had excellent service, and my friends all went with the menu that Giulio had planned. They are still raving about our meal in Algiubagio!

Menu and prices to follow

to be continued...

Favorite Dish: The Beef with chocolate and apple - I'm still drooling over it now! Tender Aberdeen Angus fillet, with a smooth dark chocolate sauce, unsweetened, but not too bitter. Sharp raw acidic apple slices and cooked sweeter pieces of apple (25 euros)


Side salad of mixed leaves, carrot, tomato etc (which I'm afraid that I didn't finish - It was fresh and tasty, but I was too busy devouring my beef!) (4.50 euros)

0.75 litre bottle of carbonated water - (3 euros)

1 glass wine - Nero Avola - I'm no wine expert, but I thought this was a lovely wine - I did well to restrict myself to the one glass! (3.80 euros)

bread 3 euros

No Service Charge!!

Total 39.30 euros, which I thought was quite good value - especially compared to my previous nights meal near the Rialto Bridge.

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I stopped here (June 07) while waiting for the No. 13 vaporetta to Sant Erasmo. This bar/restaurant is next to the vaporetto stations for the Lagoon islands, and near to the stop for Marco Polo airport.

I sat on the outside terrace, and enjoyed a cold beer. It is a pleasant place to enjoy views to the cemetery island of San Michele and Murano , over the troughs of red geraniums.

After I'd finished my beer I went inside to pay and use the toilet.

A lovely dark wooden interior with glass lampshades. Blackboards and brass fittings. There was a selection of food on display, plus a selection of confectionary and tobacco.

Oh and the waiters were all very handsome!!

The toilets were clean - the wash basin was a stone trough with water pouring from a bronze lions mouth!

I really liked this quirky place, and had intended eating here on my way back to the airport.

The menu looked quite interesting! Unfortunately it was closed (Tuesday). By Italian Law, all restaurants have to close one day a week.

The building in which Algiubagio is located used to be a boat-house, or barchessa, which you can appreciate more, if you eat in the restaurant.

Exposed brickwork, and a stunning orange Murano glass lampshade.

The owners of this restaurant also own a pizzeria/ gelateria a few metres away to the left of Algiubagio, where You can sit inside, or take away - quality fresh baked pizza - whole or a slice and yummy ice cream.

Since this initial visit, I have eaten twice at Algiubagio, once at Christmas 2008, then in January 2010, where 10 of us celebrated my 50th Birthday. These have been 2 of my best dining experiences ever, and this is my favourite restaurant not just in Venice, but THE favourite. Hoping to return again soon.

Favorite Dish: This restaurant specialises in Venetian cuisine, with a twist, their signature dish is Aberdeen Angus beef served with apples and a chocolate sauce-delicious!