Vander – restaurant week
We would get together with Andreja and Katka to see how we spent the summer. We decided to visit one of the restaurants within the autumn restaurant week. Of course we were very slow and we decided for too long and the choice was constantly getting thiner. In the end we only managed to book in the Vander restaurant on Thursday at 8 pm.
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Restaurant week
This is an event that tries to bring us mortals closer to top cuisine in Slovenia. A selection of excellent restaurants offers a spring and autumn menu with 3 courses and a greeting from the kitchen for € 19, and the best ones for € 25. The campaign actually lasts 10 days (Friday to Sunday next week), although in the name you have the week. Everything takes place under the auspices of the Mencinger couple on the web portal www.vivi.si, where you can choose a restaurant and book for the selected date (mail, phone).
The idea is basically from New York, where it was first implemented back in 1992. Our version has been implemented since 2012 and it is now the 10th anniversary. I like the concept itself, guests can try various delicacies for a reasonable price, and restaurants advertise. And if they catch out attention, this will mean that we will stop by them for a full menu.
Vander
Vander is a boutique hotel in the center of Ljubljana, on Cankarjev nabrežje with a view of the Ljubljanica and the castle from the terrace with a swimming pool. But the hotel also has a restaurant that is top-notch and based on local ingredients, also mentioned in the Michelin Plate. All in all, it sounds tempting enough to choose them as the location of our reunion.
Unfortunately, Katka canceled due to health problems. I picked up Andreja and headed to the restaurant in the autumn cold. We were looking for parking and around the center and in the end we give up and park at NUK II around 8 pm, where we had to wait for a couple of cars to leave (€ 1.8). At the entrance, of course, there is a mandatory PCT check. I met an acquaintance, they sat us down at the next table. The restaurant is nicely furnished and the atmosphere is good. Meat, fish and veggie menus are available. We opt for a meat option that is filled with traditional flavors presented in an original way.
Menu Vander
They started with an amuse-bouche, which is beetroot, chis, and something else that doesn’t suit me best.

The first dish is named Between the Mountains and the Buckwheat Field – whey, carrots roasted in hay and buckwheat mash. I’m not a fan of buckwheat, but in this case it was good through. The combination with whey is interesting. Maybe it was a little too salty. In between we took a break and went out for a cigarette.

The second plate is From pastures throughout Slovenia – Beef osso bucco, mashed potatoes and parsley root. Again some ingredient that could easily go into beef soup. The meat was tasty and soft so you could eat it with a fork. The puree and sauce went well together. It was also my best dish of the evening.

For dessert is the Ballet among the Vineyards – Pavlova, jurka and autumn fruits. Again, jurka is here as an indigenous variety. The dessert is pleasing in taste and presentation.

Wine accompaniment has a selection of Slovenian wines. I passed it tonight, and Andreja took the offered red wine, which impresses her. After a good 2 hours we finished slowly, € 53 with a tip. As a curiosity, they have bad mobile signal and the internet hardly shows any life, which is even positive, so that we can relax and talk in peace.

We were not ready to go home yet, so we turned to Dvorni bar for a drink. Otherwise, a table was reserved there in case we didn’t go thought Vander and they did not confirm the reservation. And the table was waiting for us there, by the window. We drunk another round, I drink non-alcoholic beer (which I’m a little ashamed of). Checked what happened this year, look a little further until winter comes and it was time to head home. Shortly after midnight, I arrived home pleasantly full and a little tired. Pleasant experience, but Vander disappointed me a little.