The Restaurant delivers All Star rating
Mestni trg 15, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
The streets of Ljubljana are abuzz on the day the city’s favourite sporting son Luka Doncic has been traded from American NBA team the Dallas Mavericks to the famous Los Angeles Lakers.
“Luka” as he’s simply known to Slovenians is a household name and the locals are discussing him in what seems to be every bar and restaurant in town.
And what a town it is. Ljubljana is as enchanting, as delightful, as historical as any European city. Perhaps more so. Think Prague 30 years ago, but with subtle differences.
The cafes, restaurants and bars are heaving – the Slovenians, like so many European countries, treat food and drink seriously. Like a religion almost. It’s more than just somewhere to go, it’s a place to share and spend time with friends and family. The early February temperatures of -2 don’t seem to matter. Chilly as it is, the sunshine and blue skies provide a crisp, almost warming glow to this astonishing city.
So, the question is where to eat?
We choose the originally named ‘The Restaurant’ which is part of the even more originally named ‘The Hotel’. Clearly the Slovenians have a sense of humour. But minutes into arriving and settling into this restaurant, we quickly realise this place is far from a joke.
An open fire nestled in the middle of the restaurant for grilling of meats and seafood, provides a warm and sensory delight. There’s nothing like an open fire, hot coals and deliciously cooked protein to whet the appetite. Not far away sits the open glassed meat fridge – heaving with a wide variety of sausages, meats and cold cuts.
The octopus straight from the grill arrives first. Soft, but charred to perfection, delicate and ever so tasty. A masterpiece. Paired with a local Hedele Vipavaska dolina 2021 Chardonnay, this is a match made in heaven. Or Slovenia, which for now, could well be one and the same.
And Slovenia… not a place I’d previously associated with great wine but the creamy, buttery, velvet finish of the wine has all the trademarks of a classic Chardonnay – it could sit comfortably alongside the best of Antipodean or even Europe’s finest.
To the mains. The coals begin to roar and the meat starts to sizzle. I choose the slow cooked beef cheek with mash; my colleagues go through rib eye and black squid ink risotto respectively.
The results. Nothing short of Krasen (gorgeous) as the locals say. The rib eye cooked beautifully, the beef cheek a melt in your mouth sensation and the black squid ink risotto the best my colleague has tasted – anywhere.
The service is of the highest class. The venue is stunning and just a short stone’s throw from the old town square. What can I say? The Restaurant delivers.
