17/12/2025: My wife and I had lunch over the weekend of the Immaculate Conception. We had a wonderful meal at this family-run restaurant. We had a delicious risotto with Treviso radicchio. Then we shared a plate of gnocchi with duck sauce, which was also delicious. To finish, we had a fabulous tiramisu. The owner, who was in charge of the dining room and waiting tables, was very kind and courteous. Reservations are essential; otherwise, it's very difficult to find a table.
14/12/2025: This place was recommended to me by many of my followers, intrigued by the positive reviews but eager to get my own direct and verified opinion, precisely to avoid the usual disappointment. For this reason, I wanted to try it several times, on weekdays and holidays, tasting all the dishes requested, because a photo can be beautiful... but only the flavor speaks for itself. The cuisine follows a clear line: Venetian tradition, quality ingredients, and respect for the product.
Let's begin with the dishes I tasted and rated:
🍝 Spaghetti with sardines and fennel
A harmonious and fragrant dish, where each element finds its place. The sardines are well-crafted, the fennel adds freshness and aromatic clarity, while the pasta is cooked with precision. A difficult balance, perfectly achieved here.
🍝 Spaghetti with baby octopus
Soft baby octopus, never rubbery, in a rich yet balanced sauce. The pasta absorbs the sauce perfectly, creating a captivating dish that speaks of authentic cuisine.
.🐚 Peppered Mussels and Clams
Essential and authentic. The freshest shellfish, thoroughly cleaned, the natural flavor enhanced by proper and respectful preparation. A dish that speaks of the sea without filters and inevitably invites you to mop up the sauce.
🐚 Grilled Razor Clams
Impeccable cooking: brief, intense, respectful. The meat remains juicy, tender, with all the flavor of the sea. A seemingly simple dish, but one that requires great technical attention.
🐟 Vicenza-Style Baccalà
A version faithful to tradition: velvety creaminess, full but delicate flavor, not heavy. A dish that requires time, experience, and respect, fully perceived here.
🐟 Sliced Tuna
Excellent raw materials and perfectly cooked to the millimeter. Soft, juicy, elegant. A dish that demonstrates sensitivity and expertise in handling fish.
🍰 Dessert
Tiramisu: creamy, well-balanced, with a pleasant coffee note that cleanses the palate.
Cookies with mascarpone cream: simple, comforting, the perfect end to a well-crafted meal.
The portions are generous, the place is clean and well-kept, with a calm and relaxing atmosphere. The staff is professional, empathetic, and attentive, capable of expertly recommending wine pairings, thanks to a well-structured menu that complements the dishes.
The place is medium-sized, perfect for small groups. Hours are set (reservations are recommended), so it's not a place to linger for long, but it's a surefire stop: ideal for lunch, dinner before continuing the evening, or when you want to eat well without wasting time.
The prices are fair for the quality and central location.
One small suggestion: a printed menu would make choosing easier for customers and highlight the food options.
If you asked for my honest opinion to avoid unpleasant surprises, here it is: Osteria alla Grotta is a place that delivers on its promises. A sure thing, a firm favourite, a place to keep in mind when you want to be on the safe side...so I give it my well-deserved 5 stars and recommend it 100%!
Reviews of three other places you recommended will be arriving soon, for which you'd like an honest and verified opinion.
Hugs and kisses ❤️
Maria
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