Venice is adventure for palate and wallet.

Byline: Alex Cruden

VENICE, Italy _ It always feels like there's more going on in Venice than the traveler, or even most residents, will ever find out. The mysteries extend to restaurants, where some have unhappy endings.

That occurs when the unwary visitor, having chosen an ordinary-looking dining place, receives an extraordinary bill.

Yet other restaurants, with even less impressive looks, serve great value. Starting from St. Mark's Square, let's stroll (you can't drive, after all) helpfully to several examples.

A travelers' favorite for the initial lunch in town is Ristorante da Raffaele, a canal-side place recognizable by its red awning about halfway between the square and the Accademia Bridge. Food, view and tab add up to fair value and the sense you are …