Burano is one of the outlying islands of Venice, second in fame compared to Murano, which is world famous for glass blowing. Many visit Burano for its past glory as a lace producer, it's current picturesque colorful houses and to a much much lesser extent, the butter cookies from this island (
Buranelli).
I am visiting Burano because of
an episode in Venice from Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, to visit
Da Romano Trattoria. The menu is filled with accolades and quotes from past famous patrons - Henry Matisse, Ernest Hemingway, Robert de Niro, Maria Callas, Mina, and so on. I followed Tony's recommendations - Sardines in Soar (pickled sardines - a traditional venetian appetizer), Fish Risotto and Mixed Seafood Grill.
The sardines in soar are delicious. A fan of sardines, I look forward to this humble fish prepared well and this is a great approach. The waiter successfully upsold us with pickled shrimp with red onions, also quite tasty. Although in general I'm not crazy about polenta, I actually found myself really liking the grilled white polenta cakes.
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| Sardines in soar and pickled shrimp, with polenta cakes |
The fish risotto is their signature dish. The risotto is made with a broth from the Go fish (the fish meat is not eaten as the fish is all skin and bones) and finished off with some parmesan cheese and butter. It's a very simple dish, yet each bite is flavorful, rounded and toothsome.
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| Fish Risotto for 2 |
For second course, we ordered the mixed seafood grill. Apparently renowned to be the only restaurant in Venice with a wood fired grill, I found this dish disappointing and uninteresting.
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| Mixed seafood grill - monkfish, cuttlefish, sardines |
The total cost of this meal is 110 euros - these 3 dishes pictured above, and a half bottle of Soave (15 euros). For seemingly inexpensive and simple ingredients, I consider this meal expensive. Especially when I compare this to yesterday's lunch at a 1-star restaurant where we had a full bottle of white and even a dessert to share, this place seemed over-rated to me.
I am visiting Burano because of an episode in Venice from Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations, to visit Da Romano Trattoria. The menu is filled with accolades and quotes from past famous patrons - Henry Matisse, Ernest Hemingway, Robert de Niro, Maria Callas, Mina, and so on. I followed Tony's recommendations - Sardines in Soar (pickled sardines - a traditional venetian appetizer), Fish Risotto and Mixed Seafood Grill.
