Eating in Venice, I need some ideas!

Don, there is a great place called Antico Martini just back behind San Marco square.
There is an upscale portion of the restaurant if want to splurge and there is a more mid scale area of the restaurant.
Both have great food. Seems to be a locals spot so!!!
Ristorante Al Covo is also great. past the Doges palace on the left of the main promenade.
Try a night of bar hoping in the Rialto area eating cicchetti.
Good Luck

No, you are right that the Italy book doesn't have a lot of room to spend on details of Venice.

Best for Venice is the Venice guidebook which goes into much more detail, and has lots of additional hints. Same is with the Rome book. Lots of books, lots of great information.

I really like Art Blu Caffe on Piazza San Stefano (just before the Accademia Bridge). Not plush, not expensive, great people watching, fun staff and very good food (and house wine). I'm in Venice at least a week or more every year and end up eating at Art Blu more than any place else.

In general when I'm looking for a new dining experience I cross off any place with a Tourist Menu, no customers (especially after 8 or 9 pm), too quiet, too much English/German/other being spoken. I want to eat where the locals eat - I've always found the food to be much better and the prices much more honest.

We like Ai Mercanti. Not cheap, not big portions, very creative menu. On Trip advisor, they seem to get either five or one star, a love/ hate relationship.

We have eaten there twice, would go again in a heartbeat.

when we were in Venice we ate at this restaurant
Osteria Alba Nova. It is a small place where locals eat. The food was amazing. The menu small. My husband and I met the owner ( Maria ) who is also the cook at the Rialto fish market. She was buying her fish for dinner that night. She started talking to us and gave us her card. Two nights later we decided to try it. Best meal we had.

You might consider getting the RS Venice book.

My go-to recommendation for a great Venetian experience is Paradiso Perduto in the Cannaregio district. It's where a lot of the locals go. They often have live music, and always a very lively atmosphere in the evening. Do make a reservation if you can. Otherwise be prepared to wait.

I appreciate the recommendations, keep them coming!

Check out Alla Conchiglia (www.risoranteallaconchiglia.com). Have eaten there each time I am in Venice, especially for the fish for 2. I can't tell you how to get there in a message but I could show you if I was there. Close to St. Marc's plaza.
I said I couldn't give you directions, but I will try....
From the Grand Canal San Z vap stop, look for a little archway heading to the church(I forgot the name) and the police station. Go through the arch, the church is on your (R). Keep going a little bit, Hotel Fontana will be on your (R). Take a (R) at Hotel Fontana. Keep going past the gelato store and over a small bridge. There will be 2-3 restaurants once you cross over the bridge. Alla C is the one furthest away from the bridge.
Hope this helps.

Every trip (#8 coming up!) we go to Rick's recommended NoNo Risorto. Many many Italians eating there after 20:00. Reasonable prices, good pizza and pasta, some excellent desserts.

A new place we tried last time, a little more upscale, is Vinaria. We'll go back there for certain.

This list from The Telegraph is fun and we are working our way through it slowly. So far Ai Artisti and Alla Plananca (lunch only) are our favorites.

Finally, Trattoria Bar Pontini near the ghetto is a great spot for lunch. Authentic, many locals mixing with us tourists.

I recommended Art Blu in an earlier reply. Thanks for the reminder about Nono Risorto - another of my favorite places. The first time getting there seems confusing or wrong but you are entering a wonderful, quiet, dark area of Venice. I think many tourists are turned off by the very narrow walkways. But don't be! The food is authentic, the setting is very special (google it for great pictures). I did find the staff a bit rushed the first time but I went back two nights later and was recognized - no longer a one-time-tourist. Quite a personable evening that time! The following year I stopped by to make reservations (recommended) and the owner said: "you were here last year weren't you?". I hope that was a positive but I do go out of my way to say 'thank you' with a big smile. Like Art Blu, I feel welcomed at Nono Risorto.

It all depends on what kind of "eating experience" you want. My favorite is a trattoria called "Dalla Marisa." It's in the Cannaregio not too far from the train station. There is no menu - you have to eat what they make that day and they deliver it in several courses. It's usually seafood but once again, it depends on the day. You sit outside right next to a small canal in long cafeteria-style tables and often meet interesting guests to talk to - many of them local. Their hours vary so call first for a reservation.

Here are three to consider, look 'em up:

http://www.tavernasantrovaso.it/

http://www.damamo.it/

http://www.harrysbarvenezia.com/