Osteria Ai Storti

The recipe for the perfect lazy afternoon.

You’re probably familiar with tapas, but have you heard of Cicchetti? It is the Venetian take on an afternoon snack. In Italy, it is common to have late dinners, so many say the best time to go for Cicchetti is around 6 pm. Cicchetti is derived from the Latin word ‘ciccus,’ meaning little or nothing, and it consists of several small plates of finger food. Many of these appetizer-like dishes include fish, but you can easily select according to your tastes, with many vegetarian or meat options available.

There are many restaurants that offer Cicchetti, and some even specialize in it. Therefore, it is a great way to try a variety of locations and dishes. However, it can also be a great opportunity to find a single spot and relax for a while. When visiting Venice, my family always returns to one Cicchetti spot in particular, Osteria Ai Storti.

The restaurant is incredibly charming, and also quite easy to miss. It is located down a side street, allowing the buzz of the city to become a distant memory. Wedged in between apartment buildings, it truly feels like you are part of the neighborhood, with clotheslines of clean laundry above, and residents taking their dogs for a stroll.

Osteria Ai Storti is the quintessential family business.

The owner is constantly cooking behind the counter, while his daughter warmly takes orders. Behind a glass case, there is an impressive assortment of finger foods to choose from. Much of it is a ball of something-or-another, fried, but all of it is delicious. I tend to reach for the truffle and cheese, or the eggplant variety, but you truly cannot go wrong.

Pairing these dishes with a classic Aperol Spritz, along with some excellent conversation, is the recipe for the perfect lazy afternoon. My family and I will sit for hours, sharing snacks and sharing stories, until the sunset suggests we move on to the next.