GLAM, Venice – an Impressive Reputation The Only Two-Star Michelin Restaurant

GLAM, The hottest dining ticket! in Venice!  The only two Michelin Star in Venice, welcomes guests in a unique setting that comprises a cozy intimate dining room, with glazed walls of African wild animal scenes. In summer or spring, dining is offered in the lovely garden courtyard, tables sit in the shade of an old magnolia tree, a divine spot for brekkie.

The Vibe – Contemporary with a culinary vision. An Amazing Dining Journey of Theatre and Extraordinary Food.


If you stay at Palazzo Venart, a Leading Hotels Of The World property, as I did, glide downstairs to begin an auteur culinary experience curated by multi-starred chef Enrico Bartolini and Resident Chef Donato Ascani. The menu rethinks the traditional flavors of the Lagoon in a modern mode, emphasizing the quality of seasonal ingredients and the wide selection of fine fresh markets.


GLAM Restaurant serves two tasting menus, “Art, Gardens and Lagoon” and “The Classics of Glam,” from which result signature dishes – well balanced, current and minimalist – created almost on “impulse,” but with perfect technique. I would recommend the Tasting Menu.

A crack of dawn departure flight influenced my menu, i.e. the Tasting Menu, which I assumed would be less courses! Either my Italian didn’t translate well, or Chef intended we enjoy every course offered, it was a delectable mini marathon of extraordinary bites with a culinary adventure theme.

Cocktails to contemplate choices! Rye Manhattan up and a spritz of lavender to amplify the palate of a Fizzy Gin Concoction. A glamorous platter of amuse-bouche was served with flutes of Bubbly. Note to self, when you think you are merely ordering a few bites, don’t let the waiter continually top-up your Champagne flute – our bubbly bill by the glass was molto costoso! As mentioned, Carried Away!

Transported by the imaginative presentation, the divine meal began with a aromatic rosemary shrub rooted with teeny cracker and cheese bites, setting the stage for the dining journey!

Aesthetics are visible in each dish. A splendid risotto with garden fresh petite peas in a creamy sauce was one of my favorites. Among small plates of a roasted ravioli with sage, succulent lamb and a tender fillet of beef sitting on a bed of pumpkin puree. I truly lost count and despite declining dessert, petit-fours charmingly glided across the white table cloth. My photos don’t do the Dining Journey justice, but I’ll never forget the meal and the memory! Ambling upstairs, a silver box of Mints for digestivo is a parting gift.

As of 2019, chef Enrico Bartolini collected six Michelin stars across his five restaurants; GLAM, his Venice outpost creates an unforgettable experience tantalizing the appetites of connoisseurs from all over the world, combining the intense flavors of Italian tradition with a rarely replicated refined technique and presentation.

Highly Recommend!

Oh- PS- if you glide downstairs from your suite, a credit card is expected for dinner. It cannot be charged to your room! Oops, a room key in your pocket is no substitute for a credit card, the waiter was more than kind, they knew we would not be slipping out in the night, all forgiven! Grazie!

Ristras – Hot Symbols of New Mexico

In the fall in New Mexico, you can buy decorative, but edible, strands of Ristras, the long strings adorn fences, terraces and architectural portals. Used as decorative strands across a rustic wooden table, woven crosses adorn churches and ancient wrought iron gates and strands of chilies are woven into beautiful heart shaped decor. They are said to bring good health and good luck, more often they are hung outside to dry and used later for cooking.

Ristras are traditional strings of dried chili peppers often hung in kitchens and doorways, both as a means of preservation and as a decorative element. Originating in the American Southwest, particularly in New Mexico, ristras are not only practical but also hold cultural significance.

The vibrant red color of the chilis adds a touch of warmth and authenticity to any setting, making them a beloved symbol of Southwestern heritage.

New Mexicans consume more chile per capita than any other group in the United States. It is an essential ingredient of “Mexican or Southwestern food,” the fastest growing food sector in the United States.

With an optimum climate for growing pungent chile with low annual precipitation, irrigation is essential and increases pungency. The high desert climate provides the intensity of sunlight, warm days, cool nights and daily breezes, which help to dry the plants after a rain or morning dew. Several hundred varieties of chiles are grown in New Mexico, including New Mexican (green and red), cayenne, and jalapeño.

I’m captivated by the vibrant color, the deep sense of tradition exemplified by these edible decorations. The Four Seasons Guest host was kind enough to ship my 6-foot strand and after hanging outside for a month, it has been a beautiful memento of my visit to Santa Fe.

If you can’t visit Santa Fe every fall, the Hatch Chili store offers a beautiful selection of Ristras!

Highly Recommend!