"Vecia Cavana has a dining room that’s as old-school as they come. Tables are covered with crisp, starched tablecloths, and the place used to be a boathouse—the walls are literally covered with the mooring hooks and silk trophy flags of winning rowing teams. It’s no surprise that this is the place where Venetians come for a celebration. The table next to you is probably a large birthday group, or has people dressed in full period costumes (if you’re there for Carnival). The menu also reflects Venetian tradition with white-coated waiters serving bigoli in salsa made with anchovies. In the summer months, you should sit outside under wide red awnings and eat cuttlefish and prawns. Another thing we love about this place: they take celiac allergies very seriously." - gillian mcguire, carlo mantuano