When I first reviewed Little Venice, located in downtown Trumansburg, I lavished praise on this Italian restaurant and drew particular attention to the salad bar which featured over three dozen items.
However, in a subsequent review which was published on March 17, 2021, I bemoaned the fact that the salad bar was gone. After all, during the Pandemic, no diner wanted to use the same long- handled serving spoons that had been handled by dozens of other diners. Now, however, I have great news! It’s back, with over 40 items including a marvelous variety of fresh foods and either a chicken noodle or French onion soup.
You can purchase the salad bar by itself for $14.90 or add it to the meal you order from the menu for $7.50. And vegetarians should be happy with the offerings. For example, I enjoy the fresh peas, broccoli, onion rings, cucumbers, cole slaw, three versions of lettuce, and on and on.
The menu itself is far more extensive than offered by any other Italian restaurant in our area. It includes a dozen appetizers ($8.00-$14.90). In this section, I like the Mussels a la Venice ($11.50). A copious number of tender mussels are steamed in a broth of scallions, white wine, tomatoes, garlic (mild), basil, sweet cream, and butter. The broth is tomato based and tastes a bit acidic.
There’s a Flatbread section ($9.50-$13.50) which includes a half dozen wonderful thin dough offerings. Among those I’ve tried, I prefer the “Shrimp” which is topped with lots of shrimp, mozzarella, spinach, scallions, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, and a white garlic sauce.
In The Classics section of the menu ($11.90-$17.90) I really enjoy Shrimp Portofino, which is served mixed up with their homemade fettucine, thick slices of fresh mushrooms, spinach, garlic, and a brown butter sauce. It usually comes with about eight medium shrimp and the spinach and mushrooms seem quite fresh.
I once ordered Mediterranean Penne ($14.90) from the Specials menu. It came with a generous portion of house made penne and olive oil, lemon zest, tomatoes, spinach, artichoke hearts, and feta cheese. I sometimes add a generous portion of grilled chicken strips for $4.90.
One Tuesday lunch I ordered the special Tavern Burger. Nothing was special, except the price. It was a cheeseburger with lettuce, tomato, raw onion slices and sliced pickles on a bun with fries and a choice of a glass of beer, Yuengling, Miller lite, or Labatt, all for only $11.50.
Incidentally, I notice I keep using the word “generous”. That’s because many of the entrées are served in large bowls and the servings are always, well, generous. There’s always a substantial quantity for me to take home.
There’s a whole page devoted to Brick Oven Pizzas ($11.50-$29.90). The higher priced ones are for Specialty Pizzas. The following is not a misprint: There are 41 possible toppings to choose from. You can also choose from four sizes: 9”,12”, 16” and18.” For example, the 9” is a Personal Pizza with four slices, and each topping is $2.00. One of the pizzas is Vegetarian and includes mushrooms, green peppers, banana peppers, onions, olives, eggplant, broccoli, and a mozzarella sauce.
Unfortunately, I have a problem with the wine menu. If you want to order a bottle for the table, there are only two choices: a Bogle Chardonnay or a Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon. I have always enjoyed Bogle wines so even though it’s not a problem for me, it probably would be for others. The good news is they’re amazingly low priced at $14 each. There is a wine-by-the-glass selection, also very inexpensive, ($6-$7). Surprisingly among the whites there are no dry Rieslings, Sauvignon Blancs, or white Burgundies like Chablis, and the reds don’t include Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Pinot Noir, or other Burgundies. I also want to comment on the wine service: When I ordered a bottle of the Bogle Cabernet Sauvignon my waiter did not show me the label and did not pour a bit for me to taste. Instead, he unceremoniously deposited it on the table already opened with the cork sticking out the top. I had no clue how long it had been open.
The beer, cocktail, and “Spirits” menus are more extensive although there are no prices listed for the beers or the “Spirits”.
If you like Italian food and might enjoy a drive of about 20 miles to get it, I highly recommend Little Venice. Fresh food, well cooked, attractively presented, generous (there’s that word again), portions, very fair prices, and a pleasant atmosphere.
Tidbit: On the site of Little Venice, in 1964, Robert A. Moog developed the first modular synthesizer changing modern music forever. The citizens of Trumansburg had a sign erected on the street, directly in front of the entrance.