Whenever we come to Venice, we always have one of our first meals at Osteria al Portego, a tiny corner bar that serves local snacks, wine and beer at very reasonable prices. It is located just three minutes’ walk from Rialto Bridge, ranks #86 of 1,320 Venice restaurants on Tripadvisor (incl. Certificate of Excellence), and comes highly recommended by local food blogger Naturally Epicurean. They do have a proper dining area where you can order a la carte dishes, but most people, just like us, simply go for the Cicchetti, the Venetian variety of tapas, often meat and/or seafood served on slices of white bread. Over the years we must have tried every single one of their dishes. Favourites include Baccalà (creamed stockfish/salt cod), their baby octopus, and their fried whitebait.   Despite the fact that it’s usually extremely crowded, the staff somehow still find the time for a smile […]