Venice restaurant launches food fight over Zagat rating

Most restaurateurs crave a mention in the influential Zagat restaurant guide. But Piccolo Ristorante, a tiny but well-regarded Italian restaurant in Venice, has other ideas. It wants to be removed from the guide and excluded from all future Zagat publications.

Owner Vittorio Viotti and chef-partner Roberto Ivan have e-mailed The Times and other media outlets as part of their campaign to be de-listed after apparently disagreeing with their Zagat ranking, which is based on customer reviews.

"Their numbers just don't add up," Viotti says.

Tim Zagat didn't say what the survey will do but added that "we would hate to exclude it."

-- Jesus Sanchez

Comments

[andrew s.]

i think its a great idea to get de-listed! The restaurant is fantastic, and its too popular already!