Enjoy Good Food and Fine Art at Little Venice Restaurant in Binghamton, New York

Little Venice Restaurant in Binghamton, NY is a long-standing local favorite. The restaurant has two unique features that enhance the dining experience. First, it has a secret tomato sauce recipe that is like no other sauce you have ever tried. It is distinct and delicious. There is sweetness to the sauce that no one is able to duplicate. Supposedly only three people in the world know the recipe, and they aren't talking!

The second unique feature Little Venice has to be proud of is its outstanding art collection. And I do mean outstanding. It should be called, "Little Venice Restaurant and Art Gallery"! There are wonderful oil paintings throughout the entire restaurant. Some of the paintings are by old masters. There are Hudson River School paintings. There are more contemporary paintings. They have paintings by renowned local artist, Armando Dellasanta. It is a simply amazing collection. A visit to Little Venice is definitely like visiting a fine arts gallery. It is a shame that the frames have been secured to the walls with screws, because most of the enormous gilt frames are works of art in themselves. Not all of the paintings can be displayed at one time, so they are rotated, to keep things fresh for the art loving patrons.

Little Venice has been in business since 1946. It is the oldest Italian restaurant in Binghamton. It will be around for years to come. In spite of the recession, Little Venice is always packed. It is always hard to find a parking space in the restaurant lot, even though it is pretty big. There is usually a 10 to 15 minute wait to be seated. You can wait in the bar area in front, or in back in the sitting lounge/coat room. The wait is definitely worth it. You don't need reservations but it is recommended if there are more than five people in your party. There is great artwork to look at in the lounge and bar areas as well!

Their Italian dishes feature homemade pasta and their distinct homemade sausage-shaped meatballs. In addition to their fabulous Italian dishes, they have fabulous steak and seafood entrees as well. To round the night off, they have delicious home made desserts, as well. Take out is available. In fact, every family in Binghamton has probably had pasta, meatballs and sauce takeout from Little Venice at one time or another.

My favorite dish is the baked rigatoni with a side of two meatballs and a small salad with creamy and crumbly blue cheese dressing. I always have to have a doggie bag!

The restaurant is very clean, in spite of the enormous volume of business they do there. In addition to the restaurant and bar areas, they have a private banquet room with a 40 person capacity. They are open Tuesday-Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The only day they are closed is Monday. They are located at 111 Chenango St. in downtown Binghamton. Phone: (607) 724-2513.

Visit their website at: Littlevenicerestaurant.com. You can preview the menu on their website and read more about their fabulous art collection there. You can even have their specialty sauce and meatballs shipped to you in other areas of the country from the website! The website also explains their catering service. No matter which way you choose to enjoy Little Venice Restaurant, you will be thoroughly pleased!