It's an informal place overlooking the Harraseeket River that features fresh lobster (two one-pound lobsters for $19.95) or, for the kids, chicken fingers and $1.50 hot dogs.

Its main room re-creates the atmosphere of a Venetian ship, hence the name, and it has an extensive wine list and menu that features lobster as well as fish such as grilled turbot with capers.

Mr. Kramer, of McCrady's in Charleston, features butter-poached lobster with foie gras, poached pear and a black truffle-riesling sauce.

One of the house standards, lobster cassoulet, features black beans, lobster, shrimp, scallops and an exceptionally light seafood sausage.

The top appetizer also features lobster: a clear mahogany-colored consommé accented with saffron and dotted with chunks of seafood and threads of carrot.

Compared to that sunny stew of swordfish, tuna and tomatoes, his current version, which features lobster, is curiously disappointing.

Depending on the daily catch, the menu may feature John Dory, sea bream, sea bass... and lobster.

The three-course dinner features a steak or lobster for adults ($95) and soup burger and fries for children ($40).

The menu featured Mexican lobster caught under strict environmental standards, washed down with pure Mexican hibiscus water.

There are several nice hotels in the area and dozens of restaurants - featuring lobster, of course.