Sant Aponal Prestige by Wonderful Italy

The gluten free carbonara was the reason I wanted to come, and it was every bit as good as I hoped: creamy, cheesy, with salty, crispy bits of pork. We also got a huge side of spinach with garlic. It felt cosy in the winter, and the atmosphere was lovely. The menu clearly marks allergens. They can make several starters and mains gluten free, and I wish they offered all the pasta sauces with GF spaghetti. So glad we chose this place for our last night!

We booked ahead and were seated straight away. The staff were friendly and sociable, and service came promptly. Outside, the patio had a cover and heat lamps that kept things warm, which we appreciated. We shared sardines to start, then had spaghetti carbonara and lasagne. Everything was exceptionally tasty. I only wished my spaghetti had been cooked a little more al dente. I'd definitely return.

The busy outdoor seating caught my eye while I was wandering by, so I stopped in by chance. In February the patio was enclosed and had heaters. The staff were attentive, working hard around all the tables, and as a solo traveller I enjoyed watching them make time to chat with diners when it suited the moment. I had bruschetta, then traditional carbonara with complimentary bread and a glass of pinot. A great meal, and a lovely way to spend my first evening in Venice. Alessio looked after me excellently from beginning to end.

The bearded waiter made us feel welcome, and I really enjoyed his company. Service was the strongest part of the visit, about 4.7/5. The restaurant is in central Venice, and the prices felt fair for what you get. Our Carbonara tradizionale was okay, while the Tagliata di picanha was a bit chewy. Dessert was average and seemed a little pricey. Food gets 3.5/5 from me, and the atmosphere 3.5/5. In midwinter we had to sit outside, and the curtain did little to keep the warmth in, so it was cold. The table was cramped for two as well. Overall, decent enough.