DAM butični hotel & restavracija

Rating: 17
Author: Gault&Millau

Ulica Vinka Vodopivca 24, 5000 Nova Gorica, Slovenia

17/20
Prestige Restaurant

6 PHOTOS

Chef: Uroš Fakuč
Cooking: Gastronomic | Local | Modern
Style: Elegant

Gault&Millau's review 2026

Dam impresses with precision, exceptional ingredients, and a quiet self-confidence. The opening amuse-bouches from the kitchen already set the tone for the evening. Served on stone and olive branches, they resemble a magical “table, set yourself” feast, where the homemade loaf of bread is impossible to overlook. Playful at first glance, yet in reality highly thoughtful - every bite has its own distinct character. Guests may choose between a shorter or longer tasting menu, both following a refined and coherent culinary vision. The focus is not on unnecessary theatrics, but on the ingredient itself. The kitchen highlights it, gives it space, and frames it with meticulous precision. This is where Dam’s true strength lies - in technical mastery, elegant presentation, and an impeccable sense of balance. The Soča trout mosaic is a beautiful example of this approach. The trout is marinated overnight, then complemented on the plate with beetroot and horseradish gel, house-smoked Tolmin cottage cheese, and trout roe. The scallop also enjoys its own moment, crusted in hemp seeds before being delicately cooked. Tuna arrives wrapped in a cuttlefish crust, accompanied by celery presented in three forms: leaf, root, and an intense demi-glace. The rice dish, carrying the flavour of the sea and the aroma of oysters, demonstrates remarkable culinary confidence: cooked perfectly al dente, expressive, and precisely as maritime as it should be. It is yet another plate in a sequence where the intention is crystal clear - to bring guests closer to the taste of the sea, the local environment, and the feeling that they have experienced something truly thoughtful.