Fratelli La Bufala In Venezia

12/07/2024: Service was prompt, friendly, helpful and respectful. Food was very good with large portions. Excellent wine choices. Construction project interrupted our view but we could still see parts of the sky, water and buildings and still had ‘the vibe’. everywhere in Venice right now is undergoing maintenance with scaffolding everywhere.

20/05/2024: You could make two mistakes when visiting Wildner. The first is believing it is just one of the (ahem) “tourist friendly” establishments that line the Riva degli Schiavoni. It isn’t. It is an establishment that delivers exceptional food, with exceptional service, in an exceptional location. Second, if you didn’t confuse Wildner with the other below-par establishments, you may think it a cheap coffee spot - it isn’t that either. Yes, you could get a coffee or other drink (if a table is free) but to those whingeing about a “rip-off” - remember this. Every establishment needs to make a profit and if you are occupying a table for an hour, sipping your single cup of coffee and they could be turning away lunch customers. I’m always surprised they allow the odd “beverage only” customers - but being Italian - they are too polite and friendly to turn people away. For us, Wildner is on our list of “must visit” places. In fact we now have so many establishments in this category, that despite us visiting Venice twice a year, we have slipped into a kind of “restaurant routine”. Some of our former favourites have fallen out of favour but not Wildner. It is as consistent as night following day. On every visit we try something new and occasionally just enjoy the Venetian classics (such as Venetian Liver with Polenta) that is - in my opinion - the best in Venice. I could list the entire menu but that would be futile as everything (and I do mean everything) we have eaten here has been fantastic. This year's surprise wasn’t the food but the wine we had (the wine list is exceptional). On ordering a white (we are usually red drinkers) the totally excellent and professional head of service told us that if we liked this white - we would love the rosé. So we ordered a bottle and boy was he right! None of us are particularly fond of rosé wines but this example was simply terrific. We are back in Venice in December and rest assured, Wildner will be at the top of the list for yet another return visit. Very highly recommended.