There is only one Harry’s Bar. Located on Venice’s Calle Vallaresso, near the Piazza San Marco, this legendary restaurant has been, for five decades, the meeting place for artists, writers, royalty, maestros, divas, celebrities, the very rich, and lots of ordinary--but very wise--Americans and Europeans. Everyone from the Windsors, the Onassises and the Burtons to Cole Porter, Ernest Hemingway and Joan Crawford has come here for great food, fine drinks and the incomparable ambiance.

Here, Arrigo Cipriani shares his favorite stories and secrets about Harry’s Bar and reveals, for the first time, his treasured recipes for the restaurant’s most popular dishes and drinks.

Harry’s Bar, above all, is a bar. Its distinctive mixed drinks were created by its founder, Arrigo’s father, Giuseppe Cipriani. They remain the social center of the establishment. You’ll find careful instructions for making the world-famous Belini--that frosty, frothy combination of rose-colored peach elixir and Prosecco (the Italian champagne), as well as the secret of making the Montgomery, named by Hemingway, which is nothing less than the driest, most delicious martini in the world.

Harry’s Bar is also famous for its sandwiches--mouth-watering, overstuffed, unique concoctions such as pale yellow egg sandwiches spiked with anchovies or chunks of freshly poached chicken or shrimp bound with creamy, newly-made mayonnaise. The Harry’s Bar club sandwich is a legend in itself--knife-and fork food that’s simply superb.

The bar’s famous risottos and the dozens of pasta dishes--including ravioli, cannelloni, and tagliolini--are the house specialties. Potato gnocchi and simple country food such as polenta, squid, baccala, and beans are transformed into elegant dishes by skillful chefs.

Cipriani also invented the sublime dish known as carpaccio and the glorious risotto alla primavera, brilliant ideas that have been imitated all over the world. The originals appear here for the first time.

The secret of Harry’s Bar is not only its great drinks and magnificent food, but also its extraordinary atmosphere, in which high spirits pour forth happily. Arrigo Cipriani captures this spirit and tradition, and delivers it all in his own inimitable style. Opinionated and full of surprises, Cipriani ultimately reveals not only the secrets of his kitchen and bar but also includes lavish, full color photographs by Christopher Baker to transport you there and make the feast a visual one as well. Much more than a cookbook--this is an experience to be savored and enjoyed. ( )