Venice - Harry's Bar and the Bellini
There's something rather special about having a cocktail in the bar where it was first created - a Negroni at Caffè Casoni / Giaccosa in Florence, a Negroni Sbagliato at Bar Basso in Milan, a Hanky Panky at the American Bar at the Savoy in London or a Bloody Mary at Harry's New York Bar in Paris (the last one being particularly contested). Hemingway seems to be associated with a fair few of these places, and was certainly no stranger at Harry's Bar in Venice, where the Bellini was born.
Like Caffè Florian, being very much on the tourist trail, this is another venue which might give pause for thought as to whether you really want to bother in the first place. Unlike Florian, Harry's is a bar - it's essentially all one bar room, and quite a small one at that, so there's no hidden alcove at the back to escape the tourists. You rather just have to accept it for what it is.
Others have commented - with a little dismay - that the Bellini at Harry's is, given the price, served rather without ceremony. It is presented in a very ordinary highball glass, without garnish or ornamentation. I am going to assume that's simply because that's the way it always has been served. It is a simple drink in terms of the list of ingredients - just Prosecco and white peach puree. Given the variability of a fruit like the peach I expect the skill lies in getting the correct consistency and level of sweetness from the puree. It's not, to be honest, high on my list of favourite drinks - the presence of fresh fruit in a cocktail, over and above the slice of orange in a Negroni, is generally a turn off for me - but I suppose it makes an interesting break from the norm.
It was busy when I went, something you can't really tell until you open the door, given the frosted glass of the windows. The clientèle were almost entirely middle aged American tourists, presumably following in the footsteps of Hemingway.
Harry's Bar
Address: Calle Vallaresso, 1323, 30124 San Marco, Venezia VE
Phone: 041 528 5777
Like Caffè Florian, being very much on the tourist trail, this is another venue which might give pause for thought as to whether you really want to bother in the first place. Unlike Florian, Harry's is a bar - it's essentially all one bar room, and quite a small one at that, so there's no hidden alcove at the back to escape the tourists. You rather just have to accept it for what it is.
Others have commented - with a little dismay - that the Bellini at Harry's is, given the price, served rather without ceremony. It is presented in a very ordinary highball glass, without garnish or ornamentation. I am going to assume that's simply because that's the way it always has been served. It is a simple drink in terms of the list of ingredients - just Prosecco and white peach puree. Given the variability of a fruit like the peach I expect the skill lies in getting the correct consistency and level of sweetness from the puree. It's not, to be honest, high on my list of favourite drinks - the presence of fresh fruit in a cocktail, over and above the slice of orange in a Negroni, is generally a turn off for me - but I suppose it makes an interesting break from the norm.
It was busy when I went, something you can't really tell until you open the door, given the frosted glass of the windows. The clientèle were almost entirely middle aged American tourists, presumably following in the footsteps of Hemingway.
Harry's Bar
Address: Calle Vallaresso, 1323, 30124 San Marco, Venezia VE
Phone: 041 528 5777
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