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<em>Cicchetti</em> are the Venetian equivalent of <em>tapas</em> -- tiny dishes, usually one euro or so, freshly made and, when good, absolutely delicious. There's something more northern and robust about <em>cicchetti</em> when set alongside their Spanish equivalents. <em>Baccala</em>, salt cod, is a common offering, along with lots of cheese, meat, fish, ham and any number of local inventions.

You'll find <em>cicchetti</em> in little bars all over the city. But here's an excellent place to start.

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Officially the place is called Cantinone but you won't find it easily by that name. It is simple to locate though. From the Zattere vaporetto stop face the city, turn left then right along the San Trovaso canal. Walk past the last remaining <em>squero</em> making gondolas in the city and you'll soon find the bar. It looks like this.

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There's good wine, coffee and spritz behind the counter, and a fantastic selection of Italian wines to take away. The <em>cicchetti</em> appear constantly, made by the family who've run this place for a couple of generations. In warm weather people stand outside by the bridge and have a little drink and snack in the fresh air. Bit cold for that now, but it's still worth a stop if you're in the vicinity, and only a minute or two from the Accademia.

Here's the place in moody black and white.

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