The Story Of… Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie in Venice, Italy
Exclusive Interview with Fabio D’Orfeo
By Karen Beishuizen
Photos courtesy of Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie
Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie is a restaurant in Venice dating back to the 1400s when it used to be the post office. It serves an à la carte menu and has tasting menus with wine pairings. Casanova was a regular and has dishes dedicated to him. The frescoes by Cherubini are located in the first historic room and depict the 7 deadly sins. You can join a cooking class and eat what you have prepared. Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Julia Roberts have dined here. So if you are in Venice and fancy a candelight dinner for two or just a meal for one, do not look any further and visit Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie!
KB: Describe tot he RSR readers when and by who Poste Vecie was founded.
The Poste Vecie restaurant was initially the old post office of the Serenissima, around 1400, after which in 1700 the building was transformed into a “Trattoria” maintaining the original decorations inside. Even today inside you can find letters of correspondence dating back to 1400/1500.
KB: What kind of menu do you have?
The restaurant serves mainly an à la carte menu, and has tasting menus with local wine pairings. We also have a special menu dedicated to Casanova with wine pairings.
KB: Frescoes by Cherubini. What do they show?
The frescoes by Cherubini are located in the first historic room and depict the 7 deadly sins.
KB: Your fireplaces are 500 years old and still working?
The fireplaces date back tot he 1500s and their structures maintain unchanged. By law they have always worked with wood, but since the fire of the Teatro la Fenice, the flames that emit sparks have been banned from Venice. We have a gas system that recreates the flame while keeping the atmosphere unchanged.
KB: The restaurant gives cooking classes?
We have our cooking classes, which we offer to our customers. It starts with a tour of the fish and vegetable market with the Chef. They buy raw materials, go back inside the restaurant and then we prepare for the cooking sessions: fish, handmade pasta, and dessert. At the end of the class the customers have lunch, eating what they have prepared.
KB: Which famous guests have visited your restaurant over the years?
From historical figures of the past, like Casanova who was regular visitor and to whom we celebrate its 300 years with dedicated dishes, to contemporary figures: French and Belgian Heads of State, famous Italian actors and international stars like Woody Allen, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts and many more…
KB: In which series and movies did Poste Vecie appear in?
The restaurant appears in various Italian movies but also international ones like “Everyone Says I Love You” with Julia Roberts, “Mission Impossible” with Tom Cruise, “Spider-Man” and many more…
KB: Describe what the RSR readers would see on a visit to Poste Vecie.
It is accessed from the Rialto fish market, crossing a private wooden bridge. Entering we have two historic rooms from the 16th century on the left, while on the right we have a short Venetian open veranda for the summer months. The furnishings are in Venetian style, full of burgundy, red drapes and wood.
KB: Why should people come and visit your restaurant?
Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie is full of Venetian traditions: the atmosphere as well as the dishes, respecting the original recipes but also offering innovative revised dishes. Poste Vecie is excellent for candlelight dinners and romantic dinners for two.
Check out Antica Trattoria Poste Vecie’s website: HERE
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