Skye

Skye
McAlpine spends the majority of her time in Venice, where she writes, photographs and teaches
cookery workshops.

She is the author of the blog, From My Dining
Table, contributes to various international publications and
brings out her second cookery book, A Table For Friends: The Art of Cooking for Two or
Twenty on 9 July.

We asked her to show us the secret spots in a city where it is
often difficult to
get off the tourist trail.

When is the best time to visit?

The depths of winter for misty romance, visiting galleries (the
city is blissfully empty at this time of year) and hot chocolate.
Summer for sunshine, boat rides out into the lagoon and blush-pink
peach bellinis.

Describe a perfect day in Venice.

Breakfast at Rosa Salva followed by a visit to Palazzo
Fortuny. Fried ham-and-cheese sandwiches washed down with martinis
sitting at the bar at Harry’s Bar for lunch, then a long stroll through the
winding, quiet back streets. Finish with dinner at Al Covo.

Where should we wake up?

At the Palladio Hotel, with a room looking out over
the water and onto Piazza San Marco in the distance. My husband and
I spent our wedding night there; it has one of the most magical
views in the world.

Who does the best coffee in town?

I’m not a big coffee drinker, but hands down the best hot
chocolate is at Café Florian. It’s like thick dark chocolate custard
with whipped cream on top.

Where should we go for breakfast?

Rosa Salva; it’s a charmingly old fashioned, bustling
pastry shop hidden behind San Marco. Have breakfast standing at the
bar and order a kiefer, a sort of almond croissant which is dowsed
in icing sugar.

What about if we’re hungover?

Pizza at Birreria La Corte. It’s an old brewery in Campo San
Polo that has been converted into a family-run pizzeria. If the sun
is shining, you can sit outside in the campo and watch the world go
by.

How about for a long, lazy lunch?

Locanda Cipriani. It’s my favourite place for Sunday
lunch in the summertime. About a 30-minute (magical) boat ride from
the city centre across the lagoon, it’s like stepping into another
era. Sit in the shade of the pergola and tuck into classic Venetian
dishes, like tagliatelle with lobster and zabaglione cake.

Romantic dinner?

Al
Covo. The owners, Diane and Cesare, are so friendly that you
feel like guests in their own home, and everything on the menu is
heaven.

Best pizza in the city?

Acqua Pazza: a colourful and friendly restaurant
halfway between the Accademia and Rialto bridges. Make sure to ask
for a table outside, and order the selection of fruit sorbets –
they are unbelievably delicious and each one comes as an individual
fruit.

What should we order?

The ricotta- and mint-stuffed zucchini flowers are the best in
Venice, while the the crema fritta Veneziana (deep-fried and
sugar-dipped custard) is divine.

Where should we go for cocktails?

Harry’s Bar for Hemingway-esque glamour and martinis. All’Arco
for a spritz, cicchetti and a little local colour.

Where should we go for dessert?

The chocolate ice cream and the torta alla meringa (three tiers
of light-as-air Genoese sponge layered with whipped cream and
zabaione then the whole thing is covered in slightly caramelised
Italian meringue) at Harry’s Dolci on the Giudecca.

Best terrace for a drink and to enjoy the view?

The terrace at The Gritti Palace: you sit opposite the
magnificent church of Santa Maria della Salute, right on the Grand
Canal. I love watching the bustle of the traffic.

What shouldn’t we miss while we’re in town?

Take a five-minute boat to the island of San Giorgio, then climb
to the top of the bell tower – the views over the city from there
are incredible.

What are some of your favourite shops?

Chiarastella Cattana for impossibly chic linens and
delicate glassware; Gianni Basso for beautiful, classic and bespoke
stationery; Gioielleria Nardi for something very spoiling and
sparkly and Pied à Terre for velvet venetian slippers in a rainbow
of colours.

Where should we go to buy a present?

Buy a focaccia alla Veneziana from Pasticceria Dal Nono
Colussi – it’s a bit like a panettone but without the candied
peel, and topped with a glistening sugar crust. This is a
traditional Venetian cake that you won’t find anywhere else, and
Nono
Colussi makes the best; it’s as light as air.

For serious dolce vita mood?

Round the pool at Hotel Cipriani – it feels like you’re stepping
into a scene from the 1950s. I’m obsessed with their white
umbrellas with a chocolate brown trim. Also a great spot for a
light lunch, sitting on the water.

For the full Venetian experience?

Go to the rialto market first thing in the morning to fruit,
vegetables and freshly caught fish. Stop by Aliani Casa
del Parmigiano for the best cheeses and homemade pasta. Also,
pop into Mascari to see their wine and liquor collection (a
feat for the eyes) – then take it all home to cook for lunch.

Where is your favourite place for a stroll?

Nothing quite compares to walking through Piazza San Marco at
dawn when no one else is around and you can watch the sunrise over
the water.

Tell us a secret spot no one knows about.

The best ice cream in town is in a gelateria behind San Marco
called Mela Verde: it’s not a very fancy shopfront, but the gelato
is sublime. They have a different selection of flavours each day –
creamy pine nut is my favourite.

What should we pack in our SUITCASE?

Comfortable walking shoes, sunglasses for a little extra glamour
and a copy of Hemingway’s Across the River and into the Trees,
because you will want to read it while you’re there.