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Mehana Rai

A cozy tavern near Plovdiv

Did you know that near Narechen village lies a traditional Balkan restaurant, which meals represent the spirit of Rhodope mountains?

If you are tired of long driving and you want to rest for bit, have a delicious lunch and enjoy the surrounding nature, you might as well try this roadside tavern. Situated 42 km from Plovdiv, Mehana-Gradina Rai is one of the most visited places in the area.

From traditional home-cooked soups and meals to grilled meat, fresh veggie salads and homemade bread, this place serves fresh home-cooked traditional meals, rich in spices and fresh herbs.

My friends and I had the infamous tripe soup - specialty made of veal tripe, served with chilli flakes and pickled garlic and it is recommended to eat if you have hangover. The combo with ‘parlenka’ bread and a glass of beer is a must-try!

Some of us ordered the tavern’s house dish: beans and veal sausage served in a casserole.

Everything was absolutely delicious! And the staff are ever so polite and friendly. The dishes were served out pretty quickly and the waiters made sure we have everything we needed.

The tavern even sells their own home made goodies - honey, jams, salami, herbs and spices.

You will also enjoy the place’s decor, inspired by traditional patterns of Bulgaria.

No wonder it has 4.6/5 stars on Google reviews!

The place doesn’t have a website, you can find information online on the link below one, or look it up online “Pri Iskra Damyanova Mehana Rai”.

Thank me later, folks! 🌿

[anneyg]

FUEGO Food & Drinks | Burgas

The next stop on our food journey is a modern place, where you can try European cuisine. They serve breakfast, fish and meat specialities, salads, starters, pasta and various drinks and wine.

The restaurant has 120 seats and is suitable for private events and parties. The interior design is sleek and thoughtful, which gives peaceful and serene vibes. There are elements of greenery and details that emphasize the contemporary aesthetic. One can see a nice blend of textures and materials, which perfectly compliments the simplicity of the furniture and the ambiance.

We were so excited to go for their menu and see why this place is many people's first choice. I was impressed by the presentation of the mouth-watering dishes, and the politeness of the staff. Everything was served on time and was super flavorful.

For starters, we ordered an Avocado and Cheese dip and Cornflake Chicken strips.

The dip was so creamy and well-seasoned, served with crispy bites and garnished with cherry tomatoes and walnuts. Absolutely appetizing dip!

I am quite cautious when ordering cornflake chicken stips or nuggets as often they are raw on the inside or burnt on the outside.

Well, was worth the shot, because these babies here... were ideally prepared. Not overdone, not undercooked. Crispy on the outside and tender juicy meat on the inside. Just perfect! They serve them with a garlic homemade dip. This creamy miracle goes hand in hand with the strips, and it is great for snacking.

For main courses, we chose the Chicken Burger and the Beef Meatballs.

The burger was big, juicy and loaded with beloved toppings. The meat was well-done (personal preference), and the ingredients were fresh. The bun was pillowy, and tender with a soft crumb, and a slightly sweet flavour. An impeccable combination of texture and tastes. In addition to it, they served it with french fries and pickles.

These grilled meatballs were something you should definitely try out!

Remarkably seasoned tender and juicy minced meat, grilled and served with fries and traditional salsa-like dip.

The overall experience we had was enjoyable. Definitely worth a second visit. Keep up the good work, Fuego! And we shall see you again...

[anneyg]

Bakalia | Craft Food & Drinks

Not many places have what Bakalia has. It is a convenience store, however, you can dine in, or takeaway in-house cooked meals. The place offers homemade, fresh ingredients and products, delivered by local farms and dairies...

You can find literally everything from a variety of meat, and salami to jams, all kinds of desserts, and craft chocolate. Trying their lunch menu is one of the must-dos in Plovdiv!

We often visit this place, especially when we start missing my nan's home-cooked meals - here the food reminds me so much of my childhood.

Now in summer, they have opened a garden seating area outside the store. It is the perfect traditional lunch experience.

Bonus: Staff are ever so kind and adorable...

Try their Wild Mushroom Soup - the best I have ever tasted.

You also have a variety of cooked dishes - maybe you are after a traditional Bulgarian "mandzhichka", combine it with freshly baked bread and your day is sorted.

Or just a portion of steamed veggies with grilled white fish, or another type of meat, like ribs and steak. Why not a stone-baked pizza? The place offers that, too!

As a cheese-lover, their heavenly Baked cheese is definitely my favourite pick!

The other day I had the chance to try their bakery products. So nice!

Bakalia is our local place and we love that it brings good memories of childhood! Bon Appetit, folks!

[anneyg]

Marmalad Bar & Dinner | Plovdiv

Saturday - a sunny day in May. It's 31 degrees outside, and summer's behind the corner. What's better than calling friends and going on brunch? Usually, we would have a table booked, just to make sure we don't have to wait long hours to sit, however, it was still early, around 11:00, and not many places were occupied in town.

I decided to try a new vibe and visit the best-rated restaurants on Trip Advisor and see for myself why the travellers have chosen them.

First in the row is Marmalad - 4.5 stars out of 5.0. Not bad at all! The place has an area outside, and in the spring or summer, it is a great way to enjoy the weather, while having a brunch or dinner with friends. In the evenings you can have fun while enjoying a party vibe with one of their in-house cocktails. They organise events frequently, so make sure, you check their Facebook page to see if you fancy any of those.

For brunch, we chose a Fresh salad with fried cheese bites and a Beef tortilla with beans and avocado.

The salad was fresh and super tasty. Combined with dressing and deep-fried cheese bites, just perfect if you want a light start to your day.

A different kind of tortilla, surprisingly rich in flavour... Beef minced meat with fresh veggies wrapped in a tortilla served with fries and beans on the side, this meal can please everyone's taste.

Definitely worth a visit if you are looking for a place with a great atmosphere, a nice location, good food and in-house cocktails.

Have fun! :)

[anneyg]

Knife and Fork | Вилица и Нож

Meet House & Restaurant

Last weekend we decided to visit one of the interesting spots in Kapana, Plovdiv. The Fork and Knife restaurant - a true representation of modern cuisine and an authentic part of the dynamic culture of this creative district; an invitation to join the hundreds of foodies, who have tried their craft burgers, premium beef, veal, and pork steaks, chef salads, in-house mixed sauces, and signature cocktails. The menu is quite diverse, and it does change according to the season.

The place offers cozy tables outside and has a cool interior inside - the perfect atmosphere! It is the ideal setting for brunch with the girls or dinner with your family.

The restaurant is also a host to different events such as art exhibitions, and entertaining activities. In 2021 has been nominated for Go Guide's Food & Drink Awards. You can follow them on Facebook and keep up with the latest news and trends. They have a blog section called #Faces, where different people share their culinary stories and experience.

We have tried their famous Fries with Pulled Pork, Chicken Wings, and Baked Feta Cheese as we thought they were the perfect match to our craft beers.

Needless to say, everything was well cooked and heavenly seasoned. Liked the presentation of the dishes, too.

Cooked on a cast iron pan, topped with cherry tomatoes, seasoned with herbs and served with two bruschettas on the side.

Chicken wings with a signature in-house sauce and sesame seeds, are also a great choice if you are in the mood to wow your senses.

The fries were super delish, they smelled and looked so good leaving your mouth watering... Beware as they serve quite big portions, so if you are not that hungry a single dish will be enough.

Visit this place and enjoy some tasteful moments with your loved ones!

[anneyg]

JAPONICA: Washoku 和食

Washoku or Japanese cuisine is well-known around the world as one of the most sophisticated, balanced, and nutritious cuisines. At its core, Washoku (meaning "harmony" and "to eat") states that the dishes should be both wholesome and appealing. Japanese cuisine also focuses on seasonal and regional eating. The season Shun 旬 is generously displayed in their dishes, attire, and decor. It also plays a huge role in arts and poetry.

Native Japanese rice-centered cuisine dates from more than 2000 years ago when the rice was served with vegetables, fish, and other marine products. However, it has developed to rich and various food, often adopted by foreign countries, which have changed and adapted some of the imported dishes. China is Japan's biggest culinary influencer, ingredients like rice, tofu, and soy sauce are critical elements.

Around the 6th century when Buddism was introduced in Japan, its laws gradually eliminated the eating of all kinds of meat, so vegetarian-style cooking known as shojin ryori, presented by the Zen movement was predominant. But later the consumption of pork and beef was quickly spread across Japan. Nowadays, Japanese cuisine is offered worldwide.

Here in Bulgaria, there aren't that many Japanese places but we are lucky to have the Japonica restaurant. It has 4.7 out of 5 stars on Facebook reviews. As soon as you enter the place, a feeling of zen surrounds you, which is a key for the Japanese interior. It may not be fully decorated in the Japanese traditional style, but it creates a feeling of the culture with the wooden and origami decorations. The style also included plants, wallpapers with Japanese nuances, and different pieces of art typical for their culture.

At the beginning of our dinner, they brought us hot hand towels called oshibori おしぼりthat are used to clean hands before eating as Japanese etiquette require that.

Then we ordered some starters like Tsukune つくね and Aspara Maki アスパラ豚巻き. Tsukune are traditional ground chicken meatballs that are skewered and grilled over charcoal. They served it with Teryaki sauce. Tsukune was incredibly delicious especially with the bits of shiso leaves and scallions on top.

The Aspara Maki dish was grilled asparagus wrapped in bacon. It was crispy and well-seasoned with tare and sesame seeds.

Knowing what we will order for the main course was actually a no-brainer, as we wanted to try the Tonkotsu Chashu Ramen 豚骨ラーメン for quite some time now. And we were surprised how well the dish was cooked and served. The dish originated from the region called Fukuoka. The broth (based on pork bones - Tonkotsu) is cooked slowly and is topped with sliced pork and noodles. Served with scallions, boiled eggs, spring onions, sesame seeds, pak choi, and narutomaki slices (fish surimi). We absolutely loved it!!

Our friends ordered vegetarian options from the menu: Agedashi Tofu 揚げ出し豆腐, which is tofu, coated with potato starch and served with soy sauce, bonito flakes, spring onions and fluffy daikon oroshi (a grated radish).

They also got the Yakisoba - typical veggie stir-fried noodles, served with cabbage, carrots, zucchini, and seasoned with sesame seeds, sweet & sour sauce, and spring onions.

For dessert, we had one of the most popular Japanese sweets - Dorayaki どら焼き. It is usually two small pancakes with sweet red bean paste in between. However, they served a variation - by replacing the red bean paste with creme caramel. So delicious!

Itadakimasu - meaning 'I humbly receive' is the way Japanese people wish you 'Bon Apetit!'

[anneyg]

GASTRO BAR АЙЛЯКРИЯ (Aylyakriya)

I cannot describe how happy I was to finally reserve a table at this authentic one and only restaurant, located in a 100-year-old brick-build house in Kapana Creative district. The place welcomes clients from all over the world as its philosophy is influenced by Aylyak - a word, typically used in the Plovdiv region, to describe a blissful, stress-free, and peaceful state of mind.

Aylyakria Gastro Bar is a delightful experience that takes you on a journey of flavors, that represent Bulgarian cuisine with the chef's twist, combined with a list of international favorites, created with local produce and foodstuffs. The menu also offers seasonal specialties.

The bar highlights serving bland delicious wine and craft beer. Aylyakria Gastro Bar is a buzzing vibe and great value for money!

My friends and I ordered five entirely different specials, and all of them were amazingly prepped and seasoned.

For starters, we ordered two of their signature salads: Salad with Baby Spinach & Blue Cheese and The Fresh Green Salad.

The Baby Spinach Salad was refreshing and simple, incredibly seasoned with a special dressing, that consisted of pomegranate sauce, balsamic vinegar, and wine. On top of that, the almonds, the strawberries, and the prosciutto slices complemented the sweet-sour taste of the dressing and the distinct flavor of the blue cheese.

This is a wonderful and nutritious salad. I had a vodka pomegranate iced tea, that went surprisingly well with it.

The Green Salad was a gorgeous mix of green leaves, crunchy cucumber, reddish, and spring onions, topped with a raspberry dressing, crumbled goat cheeses, and Bulgarian style poached eggs.

Super fresh and suitable for vegetarians.

Another starter we ordered is the Baked Potatoes with Cheese, served with parsley, chillis, and their authentic tartar sauce, the dish is the perfect bite if you would like to go for a safer choice. I also recommend the potatoes in a combo with one of their craft beers.

The main courses we got were more or less well-known around the world.

Gnocchi with Wild Mushrooms, served with cream, dried tomatoes, capers, basil pesto, and Grana Padano cheese. For those of you, who have not heard of Grana Padano, I should advise you that this is Italy's most produced cheese, and it has a kind of grainy, crystalline texture. Depending on the stage of maturity, it can have a rich buttery flavor, or just notes of butter, hay, and dried fruit. It is perfect for cooking.

The Gnocchi dish was spot on. Perfect texture, rich flavor. Highly recommend.

And last, but definitely not least, I shall introduce you to doña Quesadilla - a Mexican dish that dates back to the 16th century, which is technically heated tortilla with melted cheese inside. But the Aylyakria chefs have created a miracle with this famous and almost everyone's favorite street food. It was served with chicken, chorizo, cheddar, and pico de gallo salsa. Topped with jalapeños, and spring onions. And on the side - two of the most beloved sauces: homemade guacamole and smoky flavored chipotle.

Make sure you check this restaurant out as it is not only recommended by my friends and me, but it has been rated as Travellers' Choice 2021 on TripAdvisor, and it has a 4.8 rating on Google.

Here is a link to their website, where you can check their menu and reserve a table: https://aylyakria.com/.

Aylyakria follow the harmony!

[anneyg]

Norma Restaurant & Garden

We chose this place for my Birthday meal. Found it to be one of the top-rated restaurants in Burgas on Tripadvisor. 

Booked a table outside in the garden.... as I thought was perfect for these summer nights by the seaside. The place has a super interesting menu, serving non-traditional dishes, but art. It is also a great place for cozy evenings with friends or Sunday brunch with family.

Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! I would say this is a restaurant of high-class international and seasonal marine cuisine. You can even “design” your own dish, by getting the fish of the day and choosing which options to combine it with, or whether to have it grilled or fried.

We went for the Garden Salad, Veal Meatballs (kofte), Baked Potatoes with rosemary, Mussels in Wine, and the Glazed Pork Ribs.

Started with this tomato, basil, and smoked pepper salad, with cottage cheese and bruschettas.

Next in the row is this plate of tender Veal Meatballs with seasoned zucchini and cottage cheese side. Which can melt anyone’s heart…

I also got the Mussels made with wine and herbs. Such a signature dish of you dining by the coast in summer.

If you are vegetarian and still want your well-known food with a bit of herbal touch, these Baked Potatoes are a great choice.

Follow the place on Instagram for fresh updates and tasty treats: https://www.instagram.com/norma.restaurant/?hl=bg

[anneyg]

ZVEZDA BAR & KITCHEN (Звезда Бар и Кухня)

This hidden gem is located in Mall Plaza Plovdiv. You would never expect to come across such a pleasant restaurant in a mall. Modern place, serving Bulgarian cuisine with a twist, and having an interesting interior design in a 1970s communist-style... The place offers a great experience not only food- and beverage-wise, but they have a stage where performers play, dance, and sing. 

They serve salads, main courses, burgers, appetizers, desserts, and drinks. They have a lunch menu, which varies on a daily basis. And prices aren’t too high either. 

 We got the Asparagus with Baked Cheese appetizer and Zvezda Salad (mix of greens, tomatoes, bacon, Philadelphia cheese, and avocado). I liked the presentation of both. Wanted to highlight the staff, who were incredibly nice and competent. The service level is 10/10. 

For the main course, we had Chicken flakes with homemade fries, garnished with rosemary and lemon. 

And for dessert...Homemade Biscuit Cake. Super delish! 

[anneyg]

COUPON: Street Food Art

Aloha, friends!

Seems like been ages since I last published my latest yummy adventures. But here we are, coming back with some of the hottest spots in Plovdiv Town. 

Since it first opened in 2020, I have been literally dying to visit COUPON. The place attracts customers with its unique signature dishes and cool vibe. In summer they even invite DJs and musicians to play outside, so go and grab a meal, while enjoying some gigs. 

Menu offers burgers, salads, soups, main dishes, gyoza and tempura, and desserts. Incredible presentation in a way not many places offer. 

First time we visited, we went for a quick bite, and got burgers and fries. However will be definitely going back to try their specials and famous desserts. 

Buns were homemade and super tasty... Same applies to fries. 

Definitely one of my top 10s in Kapana district! 

Checkout their full menu here: https://coupon.bg/index.php?route=common/home. 

[anneyg]

Shtastlivetsa: Into the Past

Have you ever wondered what is the most visited restaurant in the Old town of Veliko Tarnovo? Shtastlivetsa is one of the places, where thousands of tourists come around each year, according to Trip Advisor. Named after one of the most famous writers in Bulgaria - Aleko Konstatinov, the place is decorated in 1800s style by the talented professional interior designer - Prof. Ognian Lambev. 

The open-air garden is my favourite seated area, as it has the most astonishing and spectacular view one can see: beautiful architecture from the revival and medieval periods, revealing all the houses stacked one above other, bridges, churches, towers and palaces, museums and monasteries, gracefully surrounded by the meanders of Yantra river. 

The restaurant offers international meals, salads and appetizers, soups, starters, main courses, wood fired oven pizza, desserts, fitness dishes... and more! In fact, this is the richest menu I have ever seen. I can guarantee you, the  food is always fresh, and well-served. Make sure you pre-reserve a table as the tables are always occupied. They also offer home/office delivery, so give it a go, in case you are not into spending time outside!

For starters we ordered Vegan Tomato & Quinoa Salad with olives, arugula and walnuts, and Real Ajvar - roasted pepper dip with their homemade “Banksi Starec” raw dried salami and marinated cow cheese. 

You can choose a great variety of appetizers from their menu, do not be scared to experiment and try something new. Their chefs are so good! 

Then, we had to try their oven baked signature pizza, the crust is amazing, guys!

We ordered the classic Margarita Pizza and Italian Pizza with Bulgarian Twist - topped with mix of flat dried meat and yellow cheese. 

The crust is my favourite. A cheat day it was indeed. 

Absolutely delicious! A picture’s worth than thousand words...

My friends and I also got some of their main courses: Chicken Fillet with Herbs on the grill, served with baked potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. The meat was well-done, and amazingly seasoned, so tender and easy to chew. 

And, the Duo Beef Meatballs - served with homemade ajvar, crunchy potatoes and grilled peppers. Also a dish that you cannot miss!

Shtastlivetsa is definitely a place that you should visit. Here is a link to the full menu: https://www.shtastliveca.com/uf/menu/36/ohgetnhpd.pdf . 

Have fun!

[anneyg]

Royal Thai - a piece of Thailand.

For the past year and a half we had no means of travelling due to the COVID-19 restrictions. And this was quite a set back for some people like me, who live and breathe exploring new lands, cultures, cuisines and ethnicities. There was no doubt that even we could not travel abroad, we could still try international cuisine and keep ourselves inspired. 

Next stop during our journey in Sofia was this special restaurant that was recommended by my best friend, who visits there occasionally, when she craves some Thai food - the Royal Thai. This is the first authentic Thai restaurant in Sofia, Bulgaria, and the food is prepared by Thai chefs. If you wanted the finest dining Thai local experience this would be the place to go. 

We decided to share meals, so we ordered the Veggie spring rolls (non-fried) and Pad Thai with Chicken (rice noodles). This stir-fried Thai national dish was flavourfully cooked with peanuts, eggs, noodles and chicken. Perfectly seasoned and garnished, both dishes were incredibly delish!

Well, what else can I say, right size portions, quick and efficient service, cosy atmosphere, reasonable prices...We will be back for sure. The restaurant has 4,5 - 5 star reviews on most of the websites, and no wonder why. 

Whether you would like to browse the menu or book a table, here is the link to this authentic Thai gem in the Sofia city centre: https://royal-thai.business.site/. 

We also tried traditional Thai Beer, which is made of rice. Always down to try new things! 

 And, last but not least, you might be willing to try this recipe at home, visit Taste Atlas to get this authentic recipe here: https://www.tasteatlas.com/pad-thai/recipe .

Have fun! 

[anneyg]

Boho - brunch to dinner

After the lockdown restrictions were partially lifted, a few friends and I decided to do a sneak peek into Sofia’s best brunch and dinner places.

So, here we were, last weekend we travelled to the Capital for our gourmet venture. First stop: Boho. 

It didn’t take long to make the decision of where we will have our brunch, as my friends suggested a cosy garden spot in the Sofia’s city centre, where they have been before and have been pleasantly surprised by the simplicity of the menu and the unique presentation of the specials.

We were seated at the back in the garden, the whole place was full. Like literally, people been waiting outside to be seated… The weather was lovely as the spring has just begun. We were looking forward to be trying some of the tempting choices.

I’ve got the Falafel Salad, which was incredibly tasty. The falafels were crispy and super well spiced, and the veggies and green leaves complemented their flavours, so it was fun for me to find out that they were actually so well prepared, as maybe this is the first place in Bulgaria that somewhat the taste of the falafels is kinda similar to the ones that I have had in Jerusalem, or even the ones in Bristol.

My boyfriend ordered the Benedict Eggs special, which is quite a big plate of things going on. I mean, its richness can satisfy any foodie’s preference: eggs, bacon, fresh leaves, sauce, baked buns you name it! I’d say this is great if you hungover, too.

Unique and delicious! It the perfect spot, when you are on the go, and want to grab a quick bite, or just have a good time with friends. Boho offers pancakes, and if you are in for the sweet treats, that will be the place for you. 

Would recommend the Mimosas (but if you ain’t fan - you can just order another cocktail - they’ve got a pretty good selection). 

[anneyg]

Torro Grande. Reserving an experience.

Following up our restaurant reviews with a wonderful visit at Torro Grande.

The girls and I decided to celebrate International Women's Day by reserving a table at one of the hottest dining spots in town. To be honest, we've all been here before, and, as usual, never been disappointed –  service is quick and efficient, waiting staff are polite and have great work ethics, and what astonished me the most - they pay high attention to their customers.

Apart from the rich selection dishes, that include meat from their legendary barbecue, world-class Sushi, and traditional Spanish specials, they offer classic and creative cocktails that put some extra cheer in your occasion. The place gives you the Bohemian chill vibe and sense of cosiness. So, it was an easy decision to call in and book a table.

Starting with the Mediterranean salad that I've ordered – it was a dreamy mix of squid, shrimp, green salads, cherry tomatoes, fresh onion, and lemon dressing. So, if you're a fan of the sea products this is the salad for you. I paired it with a glass of white wine. Light and super tasty!

My friend and colleague, Ella, had the Smoked Salmon salad, which is kind of similar to mine one, as its name suggests, but it includes smoked salmon, and also Philadelphia cheese and a pinch of dill.

The rest of the group also got salads as we wanted to keep it simple and fresh, rather than have a proper dinner this time.

But I've also tried their is Sushi, pizzas, burgers and sandwiches, their soups and main courses – and I can say the chefs are amazing! Here is the link to their full menu: https://www.torrogrande.com/torrogrande/menu/ . 

Interesting fact is that Torro offers a fair selection of desserts, and if you have a sweet tooth, you'll definitely be impressed. Go for it!

[anneyg]

DIVINO Cafe Plovdiv

It is no secret Kapana District holds the most creative and art spots in The European Capital of Culture 2019. Whoever decides to visit me here in town, I will always try and find a way of having us seated at one of the many cosy restaurants that offer local gourmet food. Lockdown prevented us of having the meals outside for the past few months, however as soon as the restrictions were lifted, we picked the sunniest day to have a walk downtown and enjoy a delish meal. 

Kapana was absolutely packed, everywhere you look tables were either occupied or reserved. Just as we thought that's it, we found a free table as people were just leaving. 

This is how we discovered Divino Cafe Plovdiv. The restaurant offers a decent variety of starters, meals and deserts, that can suit any taste. I ordered the Spinach pancake with salmon, but the rest of the group decided to get something they are familiar with, therefore had the good old Ceaser salad, and Beef Pasta.

Although I enjoyed the pancake’s flavours, it was not quite what I expected it  to be - green coloured because of the spinach dough. It was just a regular pancake stuffed with spinach, salmon, cheese and olive pasta mix. Loved the taste, however it could have been a bit more full of flavour. 

The rest of the group enjoyed their salads. Nothing much to say about this as it was just an ordinary one, as we all know it... 

See yaaa next time...(or at least after the 4th lockdown’s over)!

*DIVINO Cafe’s website https://divino-cafe-plovdiv.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral

[anneyg]

BRICK House: The heart of Kapana

Most of you have heard of Kapana District - Plovdiv, creativeness is everything it stands for. Each corner greets you with colourful craft stores, local homemade and street food, wine and cocktail spots. The spirit of this place fills each of its visitors with a feeling of freedom and completeness. 

I am sure you want to try all of them at one go... however one visit to Plovdiv will hardly be enough! My next stop is Brick House Kapana (Bar & Grill).  It is a lovely place to spend time with friends & family. 

They offer a great selection of homemade quality food, introducing new ingredients, materials and practices. And also sleek and fancy cocktails that could spice up your brunch or dinner.  Service is brilliant, so here we go with best menu choices of our group...

I ordered the starters below. On the first picture you can see an intriguing twist of the old fashioned Potato Salad - mixed with herbs and a sauce on the side, it is light and super delicious. 

The second one represents one of the warm starter dishes - Cheese wrapped in Bacon - super basic, and yet full of flavours. It was perfect match for my beer. Loved it! 

I like the presentation of both dishes. Cannot say anything, but highly recommend. 

My boyfriend got the Glazed Pork Ribs. So tender and tasty, garnished with potato chunks and sauce on the side. Perfect treat!

Visit and try it yourself :) 

[anneyg]

EGO. The ‘City of the Tsars’ Hidden Gem.

‘Ego Pizza and Grill’ is one of my favourite places among best-rated spots in the old Bulgarian capital Veliko Tarnovo. The restaurant has an art décor inspired by the style of the Mediterranean village houses, and the terrace has one of the most spectacular views…of the Yantra river, the Asen's Monument, and Tsarevets Fortress.

Would definitely recommend this restaurant for all the pizza-lovers. Pizzas are stone baked with much browner, crisper, and puffier than at other places I have been to. However, they also serve Bulgarian and Mediterranean cuisine. The menu has quite what to offer, so I am definitely recommending this one as your next stop.

I ordered the Goat Cheese starter. If you are a cheese-lover like me you will love it! Thanks to its relatively low lactose content, the goat cheese is an excellent choice for people with lactose intolerance. Those who have never tried, flavours are tart, providing earthy and tangy nuances. The recipe was simplicity itself but the honey and walnuts brought the 'extra' something and made it a top-notch starter. The texture was soft and almost spreadable. It was not overdone, and had a nice presentation.

In addition I had the Spring Salad , which included the flavours of fresh locally produced vegetables: cucumber, lettuce and radish, and garnished with a boiled egg and light dressing.

There are bunch of delish starters and meals to choose from, so go for it! You won't regret it.