Get To Know Jacopo: An Authentic Venetian | Insider Tips On Connecting With Locals In Venice

...WHICH ISN'T ALWAYS EASY WHEN YOU'RE IN VENICE. Unfortunately, Venice has been taken over by outsiders, who buy up property and send the profits back to their own countries, not investing a penny in this beautiful island. These days, you're a lot more likely to find a Russian or Chinese citizen behind the buzzing restaurants of St. Mark's Square. But there are exceptions...

A little over a decade ago, on my first visit to Venice, I stumbled upon a lively little trattoria just off St. Mark's Square. Most of the year, Ai Specchieri's tables spill out onto the "calle" (narrow street), complete with red-and-white checked tablecloths.

That first time, I struck up a friendship with Gigi, the charming host who spoke very little English but somehow we managed to laugh and enjoy the sometimes incoherent chats.

I went back to Venice, year after year, always making my first stop at Ai Specchieri. On my first trip with John, before we were married, we bonded with Gigi's replacement, GianLauro. So much so, he brought his family in from the mainland to meet us. Our circle soon expanded to Marco, the bright-eyed, hilarious bartender, Moll Minto, Indika...

Oddly enough, it wasn't until 2018 when we met Specchieri's owner, the handsome, charismatic Jacopo Caruti. It was our first day. Within hours, he promised to take us on his boat to see the Lagoon, one of the highlights of that trip & every one since.

Today, he's not only one of our best friends in Venice, he's family. From that chance moment, 13 years ago, when I first sat at the wine barrel table in the front of the restaurant, my life has been filled with friendship, the kind I'd never expected.

When you're in Venice, make sure to stop by Ai Specchieri. Take Calle de Pellegrin north from the Lion statue at the Square. Make your first right on to Calle Larga. Pass by Bar al Campanile on the right and there on you'll left, you'll see it. Ai Specchieri, one of the few restaurants owned and run by a true Venetian. And our little slice of heaven.

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