Da Fiore

Disappointing experience, and the least impressive of all the Michelin restaurants we’ve dined at in both Italy and the U.S.
We received a warm welcome, but the service seemed to fall off a cliff after we were seated. In spite of ordering the full tasting menu for each and 5 glasses of wine, the somm puffed at us when we thanked him as he brought out the wine in disgust. It was clear they were disappointed that we didn’t order a full bottle of wine (we wanted to pair different wines with our courses and try more of a variety). Also, we requested several times to keep the wine list at the table (and I set it under my purse — out of the way — so they would get the message), but they removed it twice without asking anyway. Courses were frequently marked incorrectly, so I had the incorrect silverware for some of the dishes. Several of the courses had too much time between them, and no one came out at any point to check on the meal (we had to flag them down every time we wanted to order more wine). We didn’t seem to have one clear server, and of those that did come to the table, the service was cold and rushed.
The inside of the restaurant has low ceilings and wooden walls that give off the feeling you are dining on a train car. The lighting was harsh, and right in my partner’s eyes — interrogation style — so we had to ask them to adjust, which they graciously did. No other efforts on interior design/​style that you might expect from a restaurant of this caliber.
The food was excellent. As to be expected, some of the dishes were better than others, but overall creatively prepared, fresh, and delicious. My favorite was a pasta dish with deep-​fried, julienned zucchini.
Hats off to the chef, but I cannot say that we would go back, or recommend this place, until they can sort out the service issue.

My wife and I went here as our nice night out during our stay in Venice. The atmosphere was fairly interesting. A sort of 1940’s inspired style but in a 4 – 5 star restaurant. Finding this place is a little hard, but there is a lamp outside the door that helps.
The only reason I would say this restaurant gets 4 stars is because it’s not very English speaking friendly. Only one waiter spoke any English, and there was a very awkward exchange between a waiter offering us drinks. His accent was so thick we we’re barely able to make out what sounded like words even in Italian.
Food quality based on the price was a little pretentious, but it’s a good night out so enjoy it. They have fantastic venetian style dishes that are very beautifully prepared as well as delicious.
So over looking the initial awkwardness. It was a nice night out and a fairly decent. Definitely on the list as your expensive night out!

We visited for dinner in May. Awkward experience. We chose Da Fiore because of a guide book endorsement and proximity to our hotel. Our table was back by the kitchen and near to where servers congregated, so we started out a little disappointed. Language barrier made it difficult for us to understand how the tasting menu would work here… sounded like if we both chose this, we wouldn’t be encouraged to have different dishes from each other, but might be able to handpick one or two. The first server gave up on us and disappeared; someone else then tried to explain. We are very pleasant, undemanding, unassuming people, so despite remaining confused, we gave up and both ordered the tasting menu. To add insult to injury, one of the dishes happened to be octopus, and my husband is allergic. To the restaurant’s credit, they noticed he didn’t eat it and offered a replacement, but we had had enough food and unintended hoopla for one evening. The dishes were inventive, and many were delicious, but my kindest memory these months later is of a very expensive experience with grades of A-​B for food and C for atmosphere and service.

I had a wonderful birthday lunch here that was yet another memorable meal.
This place is very hard to find so allow yourself some extra time to get here. The restaurant is designed like the interior of a small beautiful yacht. Lots of curving woodwork and padded surfaces. The staff, in white jackets, is extremely professional. When I asked the waiter to recommend a great white wine for lunch, I ended up with a fabulous wine that wasn’t more than $ 40.00 a bottle. When I looked at the wine list after the waiter had suggested it and saw the price I asked if that was the best that he could suggest. He said yes, it would be great and it was. I really love it when the waiters don’t try to oversell you.
This is the top Michelin rated restaurant in Venice and I would say it is one of the top three that we ate in while in Venice. The one thing that all three restaurants had in common was seafood fresher than anything I have ever had before. Of course everything I had, outside of desert, was seafood and it all was not only good but interesting and intriguing. Even my 10 year old son liked all of the seafood.
This Restaurant is a wonderful little hidden gem.