“Salita lentamente, da modestissime origini, ad opulenza di cibi ed a fasto straordinario di apparati, la gastronomia veneziana si afferma in uno splendore, che non avrà l’uguale in nessuna altra nazione del mondo, nel Cinquecento.” (“From its humble origins it slowly rose to opulent food and extraordinary means: Venetian gastronomy stands out for its splendour among all the nations in the XVI century world.”) Elio Zorzi, Osterie veneziane, Libreria Filippi editrice.

Rialto is probably the area of Venice with the most osterie, bàcari, bars and patisseries. This select shopping district is packed with all kinds of businesses from artisan workshops to upmarket boutiques, high-class souvenir shops and a rich market, with a healthy number of neighbourhood shops. The Court and the Public Prosecutor’s Office as well as several banks and public offices are also located in Rialto, which means that at lunch time you can taste cichèti in the company of genuine Venetians, professionals, judges and even housewives, who treat themselves to an ombra (a glass of wine) before hurrying home to cook pasta.