WINE BARS of VENICE: November 2025

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

BOOKING & RESERVATIONS

The GRITTI PALACE

INFO & RESERVATIONS

ITALIAN FOOD & TRAVEL

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

BEST SELLER

"READ ABOUT VENICE & ALL ITALY"

AMAZON.com

HOTELS & FLIGHTS - WORLDWIDE

EXPEDIA.com

Hotel Firenze Venice

"The MOLO"

VENICE

HOTELS - 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

INFO & RESERVATIONS

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

AMAZON.com

VENICE - HOTELS

All that Remains of BAR CICHETTI, this Business card and a Storefront That's Been Empty for 9 YEARS

DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE Opens the FIRST EVER BACARO (Venetian Wine Bar) to Exist in the
UNITED STATES

There was a guy named Daniel who took a trip in 1995 to Explore, seek-out, and Study the BACARI
(Venetian Wine Bars) of the Magical City of
VENICE, Italy. He had read a article in the
New York Times about these treasures of the
Enchanted City of the Adriatic, "La Serinisima"
Venice, "or as the Italians say VENENZIA."

Daniel was quite intrigued by this little article.
It was only 1 page long, but it was magical, and
it sparked Daniel's interest enough that he decided
he would go to Venice, an Exploritory Trip by which he in a weeks time would go to as many Bacari as he possibly could, eating Lunch, inbetween Lunch, Dinner and all through each and every night of the week. he tried as much CICHETTI (Venetian Tapas-Like little plates of all sorts of Venetian Specialty Foods.

He ate Bacala Mantecato, Sarde en Soar, Bigoli, Fegato alla Venenzian, Riso Bisi, Mortadella, Speck, and all sorts of other Cichetti, Antipasti, Pasta, Fish, Shell Fish, Meat, Poultry, this that and every other thing he could get his hands (Mouth) on.

Before he went, he did as much Pre-Trip Research as was possible in the "Times Previous to the internet"
When he was in Venice, he asked as many questions as he could, striking up conversations with anyone who would listen, "many did." !!!!

Daniel took lots of pictures, ate, drank Wine, and gather recipes. He was smitten with Venice, its Wine Bars (Bacari, BACARO the singular).

Daniel "Fell in Love," with the Wine Bars (Bacari) of Venice and felt he just had to open one in NEW YORK. He vowed. Knowone had ever done it. He would be the "FIRST"
Daniel gathered all his info, his RECIPES, pictures, book, everything. He worked on all his recipes, cooking constantly for Friends and Family, he made a Business Plan. He found a partner who "Loved the Idea" as well. They shook hands and vowed to open "BAR CICHETTI" the BACARO (FIRST VENETIAN WINE BAR) "EVER in the United STATES.

Daniel and Tom created a BEAUTIFUL
BACARO/ TRATTORIA, with special Imported Venetian Fabric for the banquettes, wainscotting,
a beautiful Wood Bar, and fabulous Venetian Glass Chandeliers and scones.

Besides coming up the Idea and Concept of Bar Cichetti, Daniel was the Wine Director and Excecutive Chef. Daniel's food was incrediable.His CAPONATA was the best in town, his Paparadelle with Duck Ragu was justifiably Famous, and as the Journal of Italian Food and Wine stated, his Bolognese Sauce was considered to be one of the "Best in the Country" Daniel garnered many accolades for the Wine List he created, but especially for his true and tasty Regional Italian Cusine, gaining positive reveiws from "The New York Times"New York Magazine, Crains, TimeOut New York, Wine and Spirits Magazine, and even a 5 Page Color Spread in a Newspaper in Sao Paolo, BRAZIL.

by Robert Roma 2009

WINE BARS of VENICE

Sunday, November 23, 2025

The Gritti Palace - Venice

Hotel Firenze Venice

BACARO.... VIDEO of a VENETIAN WINE BAR

My WINE BARS of VENICE Youtube Video

ANTHONY BOURDAIN eats CICHETTI and Seafood Risotto in VENICE

VENICE

CASANOVA

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