Cicchetti are essentially Venetian 'tapas' - small portions of food to go with a glass of wine (ombra) or a spritz.
It's not just fast food, but a social ritual: people go from bar to bar, sampling different flavours, chatting and enjoying the slow pace of the city on the water.
What can cicchetto be?
Unlike classic crostini, cicchetti are not limited to bread. The choice is varied and tempting:
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small sandwiches with fish spreads (e.g. baccalà mantecato - creamy cod)
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sweet and sour sardines(sarde in saor)
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mini sandwiches, fried balls, pieces of fish or seafood
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vegetable and meat sandwiches
Each bar has its own specialty and tasting it is a bit of a culinary adventure.
Small portions, big experience
The beauty of cicchetti is that you can have multiple flavours without a big commitment - one stop, one bite, one drink and move on. It's the perfect way to discover Venice not only with your eyes, but also with your tastes.
Plus, it's an affordable alternative to a full-fledged restaurant - especially if you're travelling light or want to sample more things during the day.
Watch out for the seagulls!
Now a small but important practical warning: if you take cicchetti out, hold your food tight! Venetian seagulls are seasoned professionals who have no problem snatching the appetizer right out of your hand!
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