I'M WITH YOU, LUIGI
Last year, I think it was.
Bridge partner Dom showed me a newspaper article concerning one Luke Tang, who had recently travelled from Birmingham in England to Venice. There he had eaten lunch and received a bill for $A800, grazie mille.
Mr Tang was not happy about this. He wrote to the Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, and to Italy's national news agency to draw attention to what he described as 'the shame of Venice.' But Mayor Brugnaro, as his city's representative, was unrepentant. The word 'cheapskate' was used.
"Someone eats and drinks in a restaurant, then says they cannot understand the language?" he queried.
I'm with you, Luigi, and here's why.
Luke Tang was joined by his parents for the meal, eaten in a restaurant near the Piazza di San Marco. The trio ordered drinks, entrees and oysters worth about $A90 from the a la carte menu, so the meal was well on the way to being an expensive outing before the arrival of the main course.
And that's where it all came unstuck. Mr Tang ordered the main course, using as his reference the picture of a single fish on the menu's front page. What arrived at their table was far from the menu representation. Platters of sea bass, lobster and shrimp covered the table. Far from being a single serve of grilled fish, it was a seafood banquet of impressive proportions. The total weight of fish served to the Tangs was 3.5 kg. They ate the lot.
Mr Tang did not ask for prices. Not when he pointed to the fish illustrated on the menu. Not later, when half the edible contents of the Adriatic Sea washed up in front of him.
You can't hitch a ride and then not pay the fare. I'm waving the nanna finger here, Mr Tang, but you should have queried the price before tucking in. You said so yourself. The San Marco precinct is notorious for its high prices. That's because so many tourists - as many as ninety percent - don't venture beyond it.
And there lies the real 'shame' of Venice. Most of the city's unique beauty remains undiscovered, passed over in favour of this one, crowded district. A nightmare of people and pigeons.
Tucked away in off-grid campi are some of the best cafes and restaurants in the city. I've eaten at them. Often. I've never been given a bill for $A800.
A favourite lunchtime spot is the wonderfully energized Campo San Barnaba. I sit in the sunshine. I listen as the young flautist sends his music heavenward (free). I order a glass of prosecco from the Conegliano Hills ($A5). I tackle a large salad with generous serves of salmon, squid and prawns ($A10). I finish with a cappuccino ($A3.5). It's at the Ai Artisti cafe, Mr Tang, and I'm sorry you missed it. But never mind, there's always next time.
Buon appertito
