Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Daniel Bellino and Venice

 



PIAZZA San MARCO

VENICE


Daniel Bellino Zwicke is a New York-based food and wine writer, restaurateur, and author known for his expertise in Italian cuisine, who has a strong connection to Venice. He is the author of the book Italian Food & Travels: Rome Venice Pizza Pasta & ? and created "America's First Venetian Wine Bar" called Bar Cichetti. 

Connection to VENICE
Inspiration for Bar Cichetti: Bellino traveled to Venice on an "exploratory" trip to experience the traditional Venetian wine bars, known as bacari, and specialize in cichetti (small snacks). This trip inspired him to open Bar Cichetti in New York City in 1998, which specialized in Italian wines and cichetti, replicating the Venetian bacaroexperience in the United States.
  • Writings: His book Italian Food & Travels draws on his experiences in various Italian cities, including Venice. He writes about his time in the city, including visits to landmarks like Harry's Bar and the Rialto Market.
  • Venetian Landmarks: In his writings and social media posts, he mentions visiting famous Venetian sites, such as Harry's Bar (where he ate carpaccio and drank Bellinis), the Rialto Market, and staying at the Albergho Gueratto hotel. 

  • Books by Daniel Bellino Zwicke 
Bellino has authored several books, which often focus on Italian-American cooking, travel, and wine. Notable titles available on Amazon.com include: 
Italian Food & Travels: Rome Venice Pizza Pasta & ?
  • Sunday Sauce
  • The Feast of the 7 Fish
  • Got Any Kahlua? (also known as The Big Lebowski Cookbook)
  • Mangia Italiano: Memories of Italian Food
  • Segreto Italiano: Secret Italian Recipes & Favorite Dishes 
  • You can find more information and his latest articles on his website.




Daniel Bellino
HOTEL GUERRATO
VENICE, ITALY







MAP of VENICE



DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE
In VENICE

"DRINKING PROSECCO"
With COUSIN JOE
A Bacaro in Venice





"HANGING with il LUPO"
The WOLF
Arturo was a Famous GONDOLIERE
Bumped into him and some of his Friends
At OSTERIA VIVALDI
VENICE
1995


BOOKS by DANIEL BELLINO
ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL

Monday, December 1, 2025

Best Italian Travel Guide - Venice

 The # 1 BEST SELLER - ITALIAN TRAVEL GUIDES

ITALY 










ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL is the # 1 BEST SELLER

ITALY TRAVEL GUDIES - Amazon .com




Just to Clarify - "ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL'
is Not a BOOK solely on VENICE, but all of ITALY

It is an ITALIAN TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK on ITALY

There are 30 Pages dedicated to just VENICE, which is Quite Large and
Extensive as far as TRAVEL GUIDES of ITALY Go

Amazon Categorised it as VENICE, but it's ALL of ITALY

From VENICE to PALERMO and Back "You Get It All" All ITALY !!

SPECIAL SECTION "BORUDAIN in ITALY"





ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

All  ITALY

Daniel Bellino Zwicke




ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL - Travel Guide - Cookbook



Italian Food & Travels "Rome Venice Pizza Pasta &? Travel and Eat throughout Italy, with Bestselling Italian Cookbook / Travel Writer - Daniel Bellino Zwicke. Take a journey with Daniel on his many journeys in Italy, from Rome, Venice, Verona, Florence, Naples, Capri, Positano, The Amalfi Coast, Sicily, Puglia and more. Daniel Bellino has 40 years experience, spending time in Italy, eating, drinking wonderful Italian Wine, living among the locals, gathering a brigade of stories and tasty Italian recipes from every region of Italy. Daniel has a great perspective of Italian Food knowledge, of Italy, and how to travel in this the most beloved travel destination in all the World, from the Ancient Roman ruins of Rome, to the singular uniqueness of Venice, to Sicily and it's people, food, Roman & Greeks ruins, and some of the most beautiful churches in all the World. Daniel weaves wonderful stories of Italian adventures, with many tasty recipes to accompany the stories, Travel Info, and knowledge of Italy, its sights, peoples, landscape, and it's food, the most beloved cuisine in all the World.

Included are Recipes for 40 of Italy's most beloved dishes, and a few extra surprises. Italy's most loved Pasta Dishes, Ragu Bolognese, Porchetta, Wild Boar Ragu, Amalfitana Lemon Cake, how to make Limoncello, Ragu Napoletana, Pesto Genovese, Caponata, Lasagna, Spaghetti Vongoles, Pasta Nerano, and much more. You'll Love these amazing recipes.

Special Section : Anthony Bourdain's Italy. Follow Tony's footsteps, and relive his most memorable Italian meals - Rome, Venice, Sicily, Sardinia, Puglia, Venice, Tuscany and more.


TRAVEL INFO
40 of ITALY'S Most Loved RECIPES
ULTIMATE TRAVEL TIPS
Stories of ITALY - The Food, People, & Places


SPECIAL - BOURDAIN in ITALY


Daniel created and runs the Highly Successful Italian Instagram page @NewYork.Italian - which as of the publication of this book, has more than 500,000 loyal Followers. The page pertains to all things ITALIAN, both in New York - America, and ITALY - Italian Food & Wine, Recipes, music, movies, Italian Travel, Italian-American Culture, and of Italy, Pizza, Pasta, cooking, books, and anything related to Italy and Italian Americans. 










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Sunday, November 23, 2025

The Gritti Palace - Venice

 



The GRITTI PALACE

And The GRAND CANAL

VENICE, ITALY





The GRITTI PALACE 

VENICE






"WELCOME to The GRITTI"




"WELCOME to The GRITTI PLACAE"

VENICE, ITALY








The BAR




The Gritti Palace, which was built in the 15th century for Doge Andrea Gritti and served as a home to numerous noble families before it was transformed into a luxury hotel in 1895. Pretty much every celebrity who has ever visited Venice has stayed at this legendary abode. 

In addition to Ernest Hemingway (who a suite was named after), the Gritti counts politicians such as Winston Churchill and Hollywood legends such as Elizabeth Taylor and Grace Kelly among its most prominent guests. Even today, global icons such as Tom Cruise and Angelina Jolie regularly stay here. The day before I arrived, reality TV star and beauty mogul Kylie Jenner stopped by with her kids in tow to enjoy lunch amid the incomparable atmosphere of the Grand Canal – and the absolute discretion of the team.








The GRITTI PALACE






The GRITTI PALACE










ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL 

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

BEST SELLER

"READ ABOUT VENICE & ALL ITALY"










HOTELS & FLIGHTS - WORLDWIDE









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Hotel Firenze Venice




"The MOLO"

VENICE




 



HOTEL FIRENZE

VENICE


Hotel Firenze is situated in the historic centre of Venice, 30 metres from Piazza San Marco on the main exclusive shopping street. 

The Basilica of San Marco and the Doge's palace are about 100 metres from the hotel, and the main visitor sites are within 10 minutes' walking distance (Rialto Bridge, Accademia Gallery, Guggenheim Museum and Palazzo Grassi). 

The big international designer brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Armani, Cartier, Gucci, Prada etc. are all within a 50 metre radius. 

The building dates back to the early 1500s and in 1853 underwent a major renovation by the famous architect, Fuin, who took his inspiration from the Procuratie Vecchie in Piazza San Marco for the design of the facade.
 The result is spectacularly stylish and elegant, reminiscent of the fascinating Art Nouveau style with its marble and ironwork.


The wrought iron friezes on the facade are a reminder that the building was owned in the 1800s by the famous Austrian millinery family, the Habigs, who counted the prestigious Austro-Hungarian royal family amongst their clients.

The total floor space of the building is around 750 square metres and consists of 25 rooms, some with private terrace, over 4 floors, with a lift. 



The breakfast room on the first floor has Venetian stucco walls and is decorated with handcrafted mirrors and lamps in Murano glass.






HOTEL FIRENZE

VENICE 







HOTEL FIRENZE

TYPICAL ROOM





Hotel Firenze is situated in the historic centre of Venice, 30 metres from Piazza San Marco on the main exclusive shopping street. 

The Basilica of San Marco and the Doge's palace are about 100 metres from the hotel, and the main visitor sites are within 10 minutes' walking distance (Rialto Bridge, Accademia Gallery, Guggenheim Museum and Palazzo Grassi). 

The big international designer brands, including Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Armani, Cartier, Gucci, Prada etc. are all within a 50 metre radius. 

The hotel is easily accessible from the train station, airport, marina and car and bus terminals at Piazzale Roma and Tronchetto.






 


ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

BEST SELLER ITALIAN TRAVEL GUIDES

"READ ABOUT HOTEL FIRENZE"

Other HOTELS in VENICE  & ALL of ITALY

STORIES RECIPES - TRAVEL INFO









Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Ai Quartor Feri Storti





Ai 4 FERI STORTI







Ai 4 Feri Storti is a Venetian osteria renowned for its authentic seafood dishes and cicchetti, reflecting the rich culinary heritage of Venice. The restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere, ideal for both families and solo travelers. Signature dishes include sarde in saor and baccala mantecato, prepared with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The establishment is part of the Slow Food movement, emphasizing sustainable and high-quality food practices. Guests can enjoy a selection of wines that complement the menu, enhancing the overall dining experience.

































Friday, October 17, 2025

Venetian Duck Ragu n Pasta Recipe

 


CHEF / Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

VENICE, ITALY







VENETIAN DUCK RAGU










MEMORIES of ITALIAN FOOD

NEW YORK & ITALY

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE









BIGOLI with DUCK RAGU

"A VENETIAN FAVORITE"





VENETIAN DUCK RAGU

Ingredients :

  • 1 & 1/4 pound of ground Duck Meat, including fat and skin 
  • 1 medium Onion, peeled & Chopped
  • 2 sprigs of fresh Rosemary
  • 1/2 cup dry White Wine
  • 1/2 cups water
  • 2 Bay leaves
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground Black Pepper
  • 1/4 cup Dry Porcini Mushrooms 
  • Wash the Porcini Mushrooms, changing the water 3 times
  • Soak the Mushrooms in warm water, to cover for 20 minutes. Drain and wash the mushrooms, and finely chop

To make the duck ragù, heat the oil in a large, heavy-based pan set over a medium heat. Once hot, add the garlic and rosemary and allow them to infuse in the oil for a couple of minutes, stirring often
2
Next, add the duck meat and increase to a medium-high heat. Cook for 4–5 minutes, until evenly browned; season generously
3
Pour in the wine and stock and add the Bay Leaves, tomato paste, and Porcini Mushrooms.

 Bring everything to a simmer then reduce the heat to low and cover with a lid
4
Cook the ragù for at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally and adding a little stock if the ragù becomes too dry 
5
Once the liquid has reduced completely and only and oily sauce remains, remove from the heat and discard the rosemary and bay leaves. Cover and keep warm

Once the rage is finished cooking, cook your favorite pasta and toss with the Duck Ragu and a knob of Butter and serve.

Serve with grated Parmigiana Reggiano Cheese on the side.





Friday, August 29, 2025

Casanova s Favorite Venetian Caffes and Wine Bars - Venice

 



GIACAMO CASANOVA

VENICE, ITALY



 
 
Do MORI
 
VENICE





Inside Cantina do Mori
 
One of CASANOVA'S Favorite Bars


Cantina Do Mori is Venice's oldest bacaro (tavern), founded in 1462 and located near the Rialto Bridge. Its name, meaning "two Moors," may refer to two early servers, and the tavern is rumored to be where Casanova took his first dates. 

Cantina Do Mori continues to serve a variety of small sandwiches, known as cicchetti or "Francobolli" (stamps), and is a historic spot to experience Venetian culture.




 

The Bar at Do MORI
 
VENICE




  
Giacamo Casanova
 
 
 

 
At Do MORI

 
 

 
Typical Cichetti at Do Mori
 
Panini, Baccale Mantecate, Mussetto and ???


 
 


SPAGHETTI con GAMBERONI
 
Do MORI
 


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Screenshot 2019-12-26 at 8.11.04 PM

 
Caffe Florian

Piazza San Marco

VENICE Since 1720

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Caffe Florian's was a favorite of Giacomo Casanova where he began many a Seduction over the years. Caffe Florian opened its door in 1720 and has been serving the citizens of Venice and the World ever since.

Caffe Florian has seen the likes of : Napoleon Boanaparte, Winston Churchill, Maria Callas, Aristotle Onassis, Jackie Kennedy, George Clooney, Jude Law, Gwyneth Palthrow, Matt Damon, Ernest Hemingway, Kings, Queens, Princes & Princesses, US Presidents, Heads of State, writers, artist, Film Makers, Movie Stars, tourists, and the people of the World in its almost 300 years of operation, serving, Espresso, Cappuccino (Coffee), Wine, Tea, Prosecco, Campari Aperol, Sndwiches, and Sweet Treats. Have you been there? Casanova has, and if you haven't been, no trip to Venice is complete without at least one or more visits to this historical spot.


.
 
 
 
 
Do SPADE
 
"Drink where CASANOVA Drank"
 
Calle Spade, San Polo, Venice
  
 
One of the most ancient Venetian Osterie, the Cantina Do Spade is only a few steps away from the Rialto Bridge. This Bacaro offers a variety of cicheti: small typically Venetian snacks like fried squid rings, Meatballs, Mozzarella in Carrozza, Baccala Mantecato etc. Here our friendly staff and atmosphere will make you feel at home, but with the opportunity to taste fine and fresh food.
 
 

 
 
Inside Do SPADE
 
VENICE




 
 
Have an Ombra
 
Drink Wine where CASANOVA used to Drink
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FEAST7fish
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.VENETIAN SEAFOOD RECIPES
 
In The FEAST of The 7 FISH








 
CICHETTI & WINE
 
At CANTINA DO MORI
 
VENICE - ITALY




SophiaLorenFISH.png

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Sophia Loren

Seafood Recipes

For ITALIAN CHRISTMAS "The FEAST of The 7 FISHES"

LENT and ALL YEAR ROUND






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Screenshot 2019-12-26 at 8.11.35 PM
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Giacomo Casanova



Giacomo Casanova

(1724 – 1798)

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Giacomo Casanova was born in Venice on 2 April 1725, the eldest son of a Spaniard Gaetan-Joseph-Jacques Casanova and his Italian wife Zanetti Farusi, both actors. His father died when he was around nine or ten and his mother continued traveling with her acting troupe, leaving her six young children as always with their maternal grandmother Marzia Farusi; Casanova and his siblings don’t seem to have had much of a relationship with their mother then or later in life. Casanova describes himself as having being ‘a vegetable’ until the age of eight, by which we should infer nothing much interesting or eventful happened in his early growing years. However he did begin his education and showed himself to be an unusually bright young fellow. Not bright enough to have developed a complete understanding of himself as yet though. His first choice of a career, funnily enough, was Priesthood – even in an era when nobody was particularly chaste or saintly, he would have been a real disaster in that role. Fortunately for him, his roving eye ruined this prospect before it even began and, never the one to be cast down by anything for very long, he shrugged, studied Law instead, and let himself loose on the secular world next.

For the rest of his life, Casanova was to remain, what can only be described as, a Jack of all Trades – and Master enough of himself to get out of all the sticky situations that these Trades invariably got him into. He developed into a real tolerant, open-minded individual – he usually refrained from pointing fingers at other people’s morals and never hesitated in giving them plenty of reasons to be sniping about his in turn – if they sniped too much and too loud, he was always forward in inviting them to duel – and he was rarely the one to be carried off the field with many wounds to lick. He made time for practically all the fools he came across – to fleece them for all they were worth – and for most of the women and girls that crossed his path. He nearly married on several occasions, but last minute escapes prevailed every time. On one occasion he almost married his own illegitimate daughter – he had several illegitimate children that he either never heard of or came to hear of, like on this occasion, a mite later in life. Certainly though, he never worried his head too much about them. But then he wasn’t prone to worrying too much about anything. This perhaps was the main ingredient of his carefree existence. If one thing doesn’t work, well, never mind, let’s move on to something else, let’s see what’s around the next bend. And if it was necessary to bend a bit to get around the bend, hey, no problemo whatsoevero, in this life of ours some adjustment is always necessary.

Casanova’s talent for adjustment saw him traveling widely – Florence, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, Germany, England, France, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Austria, Turkey – and coming into contact with a wide spectrum of society, from peasant-folk to city thugs to ordinary middle-class people to the very rich and affluent to the aristocrats and royalty. He had close social contacts with the King of France, with Catherine The Great of Russia, with George III of England, with Frederick The Great of Prussia, with Joseph II of Austria, with Benedict XII in Rome, with the French thinkers Voltaire, Rousseau, d’Alembert, Crebillon, and many other eminent personalities of the day. He also found himself a prisoner of the Inquisition in Venice’s notorious Piombi prison for 15 months – for expressing his personal opinions on religion and morality a little too publicly – he would probably have languished there forever except for his irrepressible spirit – after one failed bid to escape, he tried again and his hair-raising second attempt was a success. Unlike one of our modern heroes, Casanova doesn’t appear to have suffered from much post traumatic stress as a result of this ordeal. He dusted himself off and coolly went back to the business of living. He always took care to live particularly well, with good food, clothes, and lodging. He made a great deal of money from his various schemes and lost it all rather quickly. The concept of saving was just beyond him.

Some twenty years later, needing money, he was back in Venice, opportunistically seeking employment with the very people that had once arrested him. It seems they were as prepared to be forgiving and he worked for them as a Secret Agent from 1774 to 1782. Then he left Venice for the last time and went to Paris. Here he met Count Waldstein who invited him to come live on his property, the Chateau Dux, in Bohemia and work there as a Librarian. Quite a career change, but perhaps a little peace and quiet was just what Casanova was looking for. He accepted and spent the next fourteen years at Dux.

It wasn’t demanding work and gave him ample time for intellectual pursuits of his own – aside from his memoirs, on which he worked diligently, he wrote on Mathematics, Philosophy, Grammar, Poetry, Short Stories, Plays, and so on. He also maintained a voluminous correspondence with friends, acquaintances, and former lovers. Age didn’t in any way diminish his general enthusiasm. Just prior to his death – on 4 June 1798 – he was described by the Prince de Ligny as: “At 73, no longer a god in the garden or a satyr in the forest, he is a wolf at table.”

     




The GRITTI PALACE HOTEL



"HEMINGWAY'S FAVORITE"






ALWAYS a WARM WELCOME

The GRITTI PALACE








BOOK a ROOM

At HEMINGWAY'S FAVORITE VENTIAN HOTEL

The GRITTI PALACE






The BAR

DRINK WHERE HEMINGWAY DRANK

The GRITTI PALACE

VENICE






The HEMINGWAY SUITE










HOTELS in VENICE & WORLDWIDE



FLIGHTS & HOTELS WORLDWIDE









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MangiaITALI-OrigART

STORIES of ITALIAN FOOD

In ITALY

VENICE

Amazon.com

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BACARO.... VIDEO of a VENETIAN WINE BAR

My WINE BARS of VENICE Youtube Video

ANTHONY BOURDAIN eats CICHETTI and Seafood Risotto in VENICE

VENICE

VENICE
Morning in VENICE

CASANOVA

Followers

Map of VENICE

Map of VENICE
Venice Map