Majer

It's actually surprisingly difficult to find good food in Venice, especially at affordable prices.
As my Italian friend, Giacomo, pointed out the other day, it's almost impossible to find a true Venetian living in the city. Venice is expensive and full of tourists, so the really great Italians live in nearby towns such as Dolo and Treviso, leaving only those who want to exploit the tourists. This results in visitors to the city often being served sub-standard food at extortionate prices.
Last Wednesday, I went for coffee with my friend Giulia to get the lowdown on where's good to go to eat in Venice. Giulia is a Language student at Ca' Foscari University, but she lives in Dolo and commutes into Venice on a daily basis. She is, therefore, living on a student budget but has that Italian love of good food.
One of the places she told me about was Majer.
A fantastic little bakery, Majer boasts everything from sweet treats to savoury sensations, including various sugary tarts, foccacia, croissants... you name it, they've got it.
They bake their own bread, and their sandwiches are made with wonderful Italian ingredients. Everything looks FRESH. This is something I haven't seen too much of - often the stuff on the counters of bakeries here looks like it's been sitting there all day, and really, it probably has.
Our local hangout is Campo Santa Margherita, and Majer is just around the corner - great for a small bite to eat if you don't fancy a full plate of pasta or pizza in the Campo.

Seriously, I want to try everything, although I may return in December about the size of a house if I do.
I do, however, have a soft spot for one thing in particular...

Arancini. Deep fried risotto balls. Or in my opinion, a little taste of heaven.
They do them in three flavours - 'meat and peas' (which I am yet to try, but am a bit apprehensive as they don't specify the type of meat), prosciutto and mozzarella, and spinach.
Last Thursday, I was having a particularly lazy day on the cooking front so, bearing in mind what Giulia had told me the day before, I headed to Majer and stocked up on these babies.

I couldn't wait to get them home and devour the lot.
My favourite were the spinach ones. They weren't too heavy, despite being deep fried rice balls, and the green made me feel vaguely healthy!

Okay, so they don't look amazing, but they really do taste great. I strongly advise a visit to Majer if you're ever in Venice. If you walk past Orange in Campo Santa Margherita as if you're going to Campo San Barnaba, you'll find it on the corner before the bridge. I think there are a few more dotted around the city, but this one's my closest.
Also, these arancini are only 1.80 euros each, and you only need two maximum - any more and you're stuffed!

Buon appetito!