You think you've had tiramisu?

Trust me, you haven't had tiramisu unless you've had it at Vini da Arturo. It's a tiny restaurant not far from the apartment. I'd read about it but probably wouldn't have sought it out. There are so many others further up the list. We stumbled upon it during our shopping trek yesterday and were lucky enough to get a dinner reservation. It's a small operation - the owner of 36 years, the chef, and a very congenial waiter - originally from Cairo - who's been working there for ten years. It's definitely a celeb haunt and the waiter - Benjamin - proudly showed us a scrapbook filled with photos from dinners the trio has cooked in L.A., flown there by a movie producer who, obviously, has the means to make culinary things happen for himself and his friends. How nice for all of them but for the loyal clientele - and new fans - here in Venice, it's all about the food. It's so simple that describing it will probably make many of you shake your heads wondering how good it could possibly be. Everything is prepared with such care and such passion and that's something you just have to experience. Instead of sarde in saor, we had eggplant in saor - sweet, sour, melt-in-your-mouth smooth. Marcia had spaghetti with Gorgonzola sauce and I had hand-cut tagliatelle with radicchio that had been simmered for many hours. Peasant food - more delicious than I could possibly describe. Marcia had panna cotta - I think she (and I) are determined to identify the best in Venice - so far, it's a toss-up between the one at La Bitta and last night's at Vini da Arturo with the one at Alle Testiere - so fondly remembered from last visit - still to be re-tasted later in the week. But the tiramisu - served in a bowl, without a hint of a "lady finger," just miniscule bits of dark chocolate in a luscious espresso-flavored creamy, foamy, custardy...I don't think I'll chance having it again anywhere else.