Late one Friday morning five of us met for lunch. It was a very warm morning and the tables in the large covered outdoor patio were unoccupied. As soon as we entered, we noticed that the restaurant, itself, was quite warm. Individually two of us requested an adjustment to the A/C but it was not possible. Unfortunate, for us, that meant that we were a bit uncomfortable throughout the meal
After we were seated, our server who hailed from Russia presented us with menus & filled our water glasses. She then left a basket filled with warm delicious rolls attractively lined in linen napkins. While we waited for the rest of our party to arrive, I glanced around the restaurant appreciating its lovely ambiance. We sat a table for six covered in pale peach tablecloths. Inside the matching linen napkins was our silverware. A small vase of flowers on the tables added more notes of color & elegance to the room. The walls were a beautiful blue or warm golden yellow color. There was a nice-sized bar at one end of the room with a full selection of alcohol available. The beer selection was quite extensive. Long Curtains on the outside windows filtered the view of the mall parking lot. Music played in the background. I felt like I was back in Europe.
The menu is not overwhelming but there are enough choices to please everyone in our party. I cannot even pronounce my selection even though I ask a friend next to me who has lived all over Europe to repeat it several times to me. In the end, I just point to my choice and we all laugh. It is Pljeskavica Gourmet, $12.95. I have ordered it here, several times before, so you would think by now that I could pronounce it. The dish is Ground Beef & Pork, stuffed with Cheese and Bacon, served with Fries and Chopped Onion. It arrives with a small amount of a freshly chopped tomato sauce. It tastes delicious - like Meatloaf.
My European friend seating next to me starts with a bowl of Cream of Mushroom Soup, $3.45 served piping hot and she declares that it is very good. She then orders a Caesar Salad, $4.95 that arrives on a large chilled plate with lots of very fresh green lettuce, croutons, a generous sprinkling of Shredded Cheese & a tasty Caesar Dressing. We are all surprised at the many wedges of ripened tomatoes surrounding the salad. How unusual! Later, she orders the Crepes for Dessert, $4.45 (choose - with Nutella, Walnuts or Honey.) She is happy with its preparation. The server brings her some plum preserve to top the crepes. My sister orders the Philly Cheese Sandwich, $8.95 that consists of Shaved Prime Beef, Onion, Pepper, Mushroom and Cheese, which she thoroughly enjoys. Serving the sandwich sliced makes for neater eating. Another diner at our table orders the Shopska Salad, $4.95 that constitutes of Tomato, Cucumber, Pepper, Onion and Feta Cheese. It arrives on a chilled plate and looks very fresh and appetizing. Our final diner orders the Chicken Breast with Cheese Sandwich, $6.95. We are all satisfied with the food. Someday I want to order the Cr?me Brulee for dessert. There are many choices for coffee including Cappuccino (and Double Cappuccino) but with the room so warm, I pass on the coffee - maybe another time.
The service at our lunchtime visit is good too. Our server refills our water glasses without any reminders. She patiently explains any menu questions that we have and is quite attentive to our needs. There is only one other diner in the restaurant luckily for us. Our only other negative beside the lack of adequate A/C is that the server requests that we pay in cash for meals costing less than $10.00. For one diner this is a big problem and she has to order an additional item to bring up her bill. I have never run intro this at a sit down restaurant before so be aware of this if you decide to dine here for Breakfast or Lunch.
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