Khoollect Explores: Venice for Food Lovers

Venice-based food writer, photographer and author of  A Table in Venice, Skye McAlpine, shares her favourite food-lovers’ haunts from around her dreamy hometown:

‘I love the slower pace of life in Venice, the strong sense of community (everyone knows everyone – it’s like living in a village) and the fact that there are no cars, so it’s wonderfully peaceful and you can walk everywhere. It makes it a very restful place to live. The oodles of fresh produce and the wonderful food are pretty heavenly too.’

Top three foodie spots

• Al Covo – This is the place to go for a blow-out heavenly meal.
• Pasticceria Alla Bragora – They make delicious breakfast pastries and the most spectacular hot chocolate with zabaione and whipped cream.
• Mela Verde – Here you’ll find the best gelato in town.

Rushing around town this morning, running a few errands and shopping for the Easter weekend. Sugar topped 'colomba' (Easter cake) from the baker; duck, Italian sausage and pheasant from the butcher; langoustines from the Rialto market; asparagus, baby artichokes and zucchine blossoms from the fruit and veg stall. Then a quick spritz before lunch. #stockingupfortheholidays #longestshoppinglistever #secretvenice

A post shared by Skye McAlpine (@skyemcalpine) on Apr 14, 2017 at 6:48am PDT

Best place for coffee

I love the glamour of sitting at the bar at Caffè Florian.

Best rainy day hangouts

I could happily while away a morning exploring the Doge’s Palace – it’s huge and full of treasures. By the time you’ve finished wandering around, it would probably have stopped raining.

Most chilled spot to spend a Sunday morning

Start with breakfast at Rosa Salva in Campo San Giovanni, sitting in the pretty piazza with a decadent selection of freshly baked pastries and a milky cappuccino, then a walk along the waterside on the Fondamente Nuove, followed by a long, leisurely stroll through the Jewish Quarter – it’s a beautiful part of town, full of history and undiscovered by tourists.

Thank you @modaoperandi and @tatianahambro for the loveliest feature! I'm so excited to be sharing my top tips for how to create a beautiful dining table, as well my dream fashion picks, on the Moda online magazine today. You can find the link on the @modaoperandi profile should it take your fancy. Also: happy Thanksgiving! I hope you're celebrating with those you love and lots of pie!! Xx

A post shared by Skye McAlpine (@skyemcalpine) on Nov 24, 2016 at 8:32am PST

Best nook for daydreaming

In the summer months, I love taking our little wooden boat out into the lagoon, then tossing the anchor out in the water and lying back on the boat to read my book, with just the gentle sound of the water lapping in the background. It’s one of my favourite things to do.

Must have foodie souvenir to take back home

A focaccia alla Veneziana from Pasticceria Colussi – it’s a sweet bread, a little like a panettone, that is as light as air and topped with a heavenly sugar crust. It’s a typical Venetian recipe and you won’t see them for sale in bakeries anywhere else in the world.

Have you spent some time roaming around dreamy Venice? Tell us your must-see spots in the comments below…