U.S. subprime mortgage meltdown relief, in Italy: Foreclosure discounts at Harry’s Bar in Venice

Susan Spano’s Postcards From Rome

It made news recently when a small sign appeared on the Art Deco door of Harry’s Bar near the Grand Canal in Venice.

Acknowledging economic hard times and the increasing expense of European vacations, it offered “American victims of subprime loans” a 20% discount on food at the famous Venetian watering hole founded by bartender Giuseppe Cipriani in 1931.

On the menu posted above the sign, in much smaller print, is the price for a hamburger: 41 euros, which is about $63, or $51.50 with the discount.

For something more substantial, say the John Dory and asparagus entree, the discounted price is around $85.

Just don’t look for a break on drinks, even though libations are the main reason why Americans in Venice — starting with such swells as Ernest Hemingway — seek out the bar.

The Bellini, a peach puree and sparkling white wine cocktail, was invented at Harry’s. Nowadays white-jacketed waiters deliver trays of bona fide bellinis faster than you can say double cheeseburger. The price: about $23, including a small dish of olives.

But every bellini is an ephemeral little work of art, as pink as the clouds in a Titian heaven, and Harry’s still packs them in, subprime loan crisis notwithstanding, because it’s that rare thing in Europe: a perfectly oiled bar that serves beautifully mixed American cocktails in a small, stylish room (it’s on the first floor lined with photos of another island city, Manhattan). The elegant restaurant on the second floor overlooks the Grand Canal.

Nota bene: There’s no smoking at Harry’s Bar. Martinis are served in shots, not in traditional martini glasses. And, though the expertise of the barman cannot be questioned, Harry’s might disappoint Manhattan drinkers because it doesn’t stock Maker’s Mark bourbon.

— Susan Spano, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

[Photos: Susan Spano / Los Angeles Times]

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This entry was posted on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 4:07 pm by Susan Spano and is filed under Europe, Italy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.