Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Amazing Fresh Fish and Seafood, Unique Atmosphere
Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie came highly recommended. While planning our visit to Venice, we’d engaged with the concierge at our hotel weeks before our departure to make certain we would get a good table in a fine Venetian restaurant. She provided a shortlist of a half-dozen possibilities amongst which this one stood out. After reviewing the impressive menu at Poste Vecie, we had the concierge make the reservation.
Located in a former post office building that dates back to the 1500’s, it is right next door to the Rialto Market which gives it direct access to amazingly fresh fish, seafood, fruit and produce. The freshness can be tasted in every bite.
This trattoria features typical Venetian delicacies including famous baccalà mantecato, sarde “in saor”, spider crab, shrimp, and Venetian cuttlefish.
We were celebrating our 45th wedding anniversary so the festive elegance of Poste Venice was perfectly suited to the occasion.
Note: The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.
The Rialto Fish Market neat Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie
The Rialto Fish Market, known as the Mercati di Rialto or Pescheria, is a vibrant and historic marketplace located in Venice, Italy. It is located steps away from the iconic Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal in the Sestiere of San Polo. The market has been a central part of Venetian life for centuries, with references to it dating back to 1097. It is renowned for its fresh seafood as well as its fruit and vegetable stalls.
The fish market, is known for its wide variety of fresh fish and seafood, including shellfish, squids, cuttlefish, giant tiger prawns, mullets, eels, crabs, octopuses, and lobsters. The market is a hub for both locals and chefs from nearby restaurants who come to source the freshest ingredients for their dishes. This is where Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie gets their amazingly fresh fish. The market also houses a variety of fresh produce vendors. It’s a kind of one-stop shop where chefs go for inspiration.
The current Neo-Gothic style loggia of the fish market was built in 1907 by architect Domenico Rupolo, although the market’s location has been consistent since the 14th century. The loggia features decorative capitals on its columns, designed by painter Cesare Laurenti, which depict various elements connected to the fishing world, such as seahorses, boats, and fish.
Our Dining Experience at Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie
Our first meal in Venice was a treat for the senses. The ambiance at Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie is quite unique. The structure dates back to the 1500s and the original fireplaces is still functional today. In keeping with the Post office theme, the decor includes antique letters, coins and documents dating back to the days of the Republic of Venice, the Serenìsima Repùblega de Venèsia.
It’s really the perfect place for a romantic dinner. Seated in a corner next to one of the two fireplaces, we had a perfect view of our surroundings. The formal service was impeccable. According to the website, this was Casanova’s preferred place to dine with his many mistresses in front of the fireplaces.
Primi
The menu is truly quite extensive with so many wonderful possibilities making our meal choice very difficult indeed. I wanted to taste it all and should have chosen the amazing tasting menu.
I had the exquisite Tagliolini al nero di seppia con salsa al granchio which must be a Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie signature dishes: Black tagliolini (made with cuttlefish ink) in a crab meat sauce.
Since I’m gluten intolerant, I haven’t had fresh pasta in years. But for some miraculous reason, I can tolerate wheat flour in Europe with no reaction. So, I dove right into the dish of pasta with enthusiasm.
The cuttlefish ink lends a briny, umami-rich flavor and a dark black color to the pasta. Combined with the delicate crab meat in the sauce it was a mix of subtle flavors and tasty goodness. To die for!
Gluten-Free Pro Tip
If you’re gluten sensitive or intolerant, like I am, but not Celiac, you may be able to tolerate the wheat flour in Italy. From what I’ve read, this is due to a combination of factors including the variety of the wheat grown in Italy, the absence of glyphosate, soil composition and agricultural practices, etc.
It’s important to note that these factors can vary widely and the experience of gluten sensitivity is highly individual. While some people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity report feeling better when consuming European or specifically Italian wheat products, those with celiac disease must avoid all sources of gluten, regardless of origin.
My wife Danielle on the other hand chose the Spaghetti all’astice con pomodorini: spaghetti with lobster and fresh tomato.
The pasta was cooked to perfection and served with a light fresh tomato sauce. The half lobster was also perfectly cooked and superbly presented. A bit messy but seriously scrumptious!
Secondi
We both opted for the Branzino alla griglia: grilled fresh sea bass, expertly prepared and served at our table by our waitress with not a single bone remaining in the tender flesh. I wish I had that talent. Cooked to perfection, its delicate flesh melted in our mouths. The presentation was simple yet elegant with slices of toasted polenta and lemon. You could taste the freshness of the fish in every bite.
Dolce
Choosing a dessert at Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie is also challenge. Everything sound incredibly delicious. I ordered a marvelous deconstructed Mille-feuille assembled at the table before our eyes. Yummy! See the video for more details (coming soon).
Wine
The wine list was extensive featuring a broad selection of local wines from the Veneto region as well as from the main wine-producing regions of Italy. The somelier at Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie, selected a beautiful bottle of Vernaccia that paired perfectly with our fish and seafood meal. In fact, Vernaccia was our go-to white throughout most of our trip interspersed with the occasional and no less delicious Vermentino.