 | Venice Harry's Bar Reviews | Tips 11 - 20 of 28 |  |
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SAN MARCO
I'd walked past this famous bar/restaurant twice already without realising. When I'd decided to treat myself to one of their legendary Bellini cocktails, it took me a while to find again.
I was expecting something more distinctive. The side doorway and the frosted windows don't give many clues as to the interior.
As a female travelling alone, it's sometimes a bit daunting to enter a restaurant or bar, so I usually like to suss a place out from the outside first.
Well, it was Christmas Day, so decided that a Bellini at Harrys was in order. I had been in 2 minds - was this 'too touristy'? but then again, this was probably on one of those 'things to do before you die' lists.
The Bellini cocktail was invented here, as was the raw Beef dish Carpaccio in 1950, for Comptessa Amalia Noni Mocenigo, who's doctor had forbidden her to eat cooked meats. The dish colouring was reminiscent of Carpaccios paintings.
Harrys Dry Martini is also a speciality - 10 parts gin :1 part vermouth
Famed as Hemingways favourite bar, and host to decades of celebrities, royalty and 'the well heeled' I was expecting to step back into the 1930's!
Taking a deep breath, I entered through the side door - straight into a small light room, with a bar to the left, and small tables, where groups were eating, arranged around the other 3 walls. There appeared to be another room at least, reached up a few steps at the side of the bar.
I took a seat at the bar, and waited for the bar man to acknowledge my presence, which took a while - there was no-one else waiting to be served. I'd read so many reports about the prompt, polite service offered to all who entered the bar- Hmmm- not so!
I ordered my Bellini, expecting to see a skillfully made cocktail from fresh white peaches and prosecco. I was quite disappointed to find it was poured from a jug - I don't know how long it had been made. So I don't know if this was a good Bellini or not!
Looking around the room, there were diners in varying groups - families/ friends with a variety of languages/accents, mainly in the 60+ age range.
I'm afraid I did feel a bit disappointed, even if my drink had been free (instead of 14 euros) there wasn't the atmosphere or service that I'd understood was part of this legendary establishment. For a Christmas Day afternoon, it was particularly joyless!
A glass of Prosecco is about 7 euros
I've since read others comments about their experience here - Some rave about it, others had a similar experience to mine. this link gives some interesting comments
I had a Bellini - which was 'OK' I can't compare it to others as this was the only one I tried in Venice.
I was disappointed to see that it was just poured from a jug, standing on a shelf - I don't know how long it had been standing there
I did buy a pack of 3 'ready mixed' Bellini bottles from the airport - You can buy these or 'kits' from the Cipriani stand in the airport food shop - and they tasted OK too. Leave a Comment Theme: ItalianComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: San Marco 1323 Calle VallaressoPhone: 39-41-528-5777Directions: VAPORETTO - SAN MARCO VALLARESSO
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