A culinary journey from Ljubljana to Kobarid

DVORNI BAR – POPULAR PLACE THAT BROUGHT THE WINE CULTURE CLOSER TO PEOPLE

“A glass of wine at the right time and the right place is worth more than all the riches in this world!” said Gustav Mahler, an Austrian composer who also worked in Slovenia, in 1897. In 2011 a statue was erected on Dvorni trg in his honour, and six years before that Dvorni bar opened its doors. It soon became an attractive stop for wine lovers, and the policy of its founders who gathered around Tadej Kordiš was to raise the wine drinking culture. Those who before cared little about what is poured from the bottles, now know how much effort wine producers put into it, what the meaning of wine regions is, and which varieties are typical for each region

The direction Dvorni bar took towards the culture of sophisticated drinking was obviously the right one. The fact that they only sell a few mixtures of wine and soda or wine and sparkling water a year speaks volumes. So does even the slightest glance at their wine list, which will not only excite the connoisseurs, but is a perfect guide through the Slovenian wine kingdom. Dvorni bar, of course, offers other drinks and imported wines as well, but Kordiš is more than aware that it would be silly to sell chianti to foreigners. Their guests are interested in local wines. It is no surprise that tastings of Slovenian wines took off so well here. The guests can educate themselves about our wines, gastronomy, and country all at once. Why would Dvorni bar wish to change and remodel as so many others do, when they have caught the train that goes in the right direction a long time ago. They brought the wine culture closer to people, and they also offer a diverse selection of exquisite bites that accompany the wines perfectly. 

HIŠA POLONKA – POPULAR PLACE FOR THOSE WHO ADORE TRADITIONAL, TASTY, AND HONEST FOOD, AS WELL AS A RELAXED ATMOSPHERE.

Those who experienced travel at some point in their lives understand that a queue of people is quite inviting and, in a way makes you feel safe. And those who, soon after it opened, saw the packed restaurant of the >Hiša Polonka in the centre of Kobarid and in front of it a queue of excited people, simply wanted to be a part of this colourful mix. Polonka, behind its thick walls, offers not only a genuine homely feel, but very affordable cuisine and homemade boutique beers.

Valter Kramar is first and foremost a local man and a born host. That is why both locals and tourists feel at home in Hiša Polonka. Here kindness, affection, and hospitality mix with good energy. Their speciality are the dishes that were on the menu of Hiša Franko decades ago, when the restaurant was run by Valter Kramar’s parents. The nostalgic connection between the past and the present are the legendary English roast beef or the traditional Kobarid štruklji. The latter are still being made according to the recipe from Valter’s mother. They also offer a hearty shepherd’s frico that through time found its way into culinary pop culture. Valter’s wish was for the menu to be based on those old recipes that could well have been lost in these times when people have a hard time stopping, when they look only forward, towards constant development and change. The guests, be it locals, tourists, hikers, or cyclists recognised this and started to appreciate it. Hiša Polonka became a popular place for those who adore traditional, tasty, quality, and honest food, as well as a relaxed atmosphere.