Mega Center, Savska cesta 34, Kranj - Format'Age

3 restAurAnts
Running Sushi & Wok J-3, Jurčkova 223 (Supernova),
tel. (+386) 1427 68 88. When Slovenia’s first conveyor belt
sushi place opened we had mixed feelings: a second option
to get our raw fish fix was certainly welcomed, but we were a
bit leery that it would see enough traffic to inspire confidence
in the all-important freshness department. But as far as we
can tell it’s OK. Everything more or less tastes like it should,
there’s a good variety of dishes meandering around on separate
hot and cold belts and an all Asian staff wait attentively
to swoop in and clear emptied plates and lids. Well worth
the trip down to Rudnik. QOpen 10:00 - 21:00, Sun 10:00
- 15:00. All you can eat €9.90-11.90. PAL
Shambala B-3/4, Križevniška 12, tel. (+386) 1426
30 14/(+386) 031 843 833, info@shambala.si, www.
shambala.si. Great value Asian food in a quiet, side street
location. Head out back to the covered garden and order any
of the tremendous stir fries, though do not forego the starters:
tempura made with shrimps make great nibbles. There
is plenty for vegetarians on the menu (not always the case
in these parts). QOpen 09:00 - 24:00, Sat 12:00 - 24:00.
Closed Sun. (€3.50-9.50). PTJAGBK
Sushimama B-3, Wolfova 12/(+386) 40 70 20 70, www.
sushimama.si. The first - and for a long time only - Japanese
restaurant in Slovenia, the small and intimate Sushimama’s
interesting little touches beyond the actual food include a
subscription to Wallpaper magazine and the brave act of
putting the sushi chef on display as he works in the restaurant.
The extensive menu features every Japanese favourite from
soups to noodle soups, a number of delicate rice- and noodlebased
dishes to of course the sushi itself. Complimented by an
extensive list of cocktails and wines, the restaurant is marking
its territory as the first and finest of its kind. QOpen 11:00
- 23:00. Closed Sun. (€11-24).PJARGBXS
Zlati Most Poljanska 7, tel. (+386) 41 952 178. Just
opened in mid-July, Zlati Most (or Golden Bridge) is the third
Chinese restaurant to stake its claim to a narrow 50m stretch
of road a bit east of the central market - and far be it for us to
question the wisdom of this, but let’s just say the other two
don’t exactly do a roaring trade. Nevertheless we quite like this
place. How can you not when the menu features dishes such as
Drunk chicken, Ant climb tree and Flied dragon with phoenix?
Throw in cheap Chinese beer and spirits, huge portions and
strangely hypnotic Chinese pop music and they have our business.
QOpen 10:00 - 22:00. (€3.60-12.30). JNS
Balkan
Harambaša B-4, Vrtna Ulica, tel. (+386) 41 84 31 06,
Ćevapčići (che-VAP-chi-chi) - the delicious Balkan staple of
juicy barbequed lamb or beef - is served in abundance here.
This ćevapnica (che-vap-nitsa - cafe/restaurant serving
ćevapčići) has a quaint and cosy dining room, complete with
old photos, antiques and a Balkan soundtrack. Aside from
the odd American, the clientele is refreshingly local - and
aside from the air-conditioning you could easily be in a village
in the Bosnian countryside. Located on quiet backstreet,
Harambaša is a great place for a beer, chat and, of course,
lots of lovely ćevapčići. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00, Sat 12:00
- 22:00, Sun 12:00 - 18:00. (€5-8). PYS
Rio-Momo A-3, Slovenska 28, tel. (+386) 31 751
751/(+386) 1425 32 26, www.rio-momo.com. Situated
between the central post office and Kongresni Trg on the city’s
main thoroughfare, we’ve never found the exterior to be the
most inviting but once you get inside it’s actually quite warm
and cosy. The thick leather covers on the menus portend
the ample selection of grilled meat dishes within, although
vegetarians have a handful of a pastas and salads to choose
from as well. On your way in don’t forget to check the table
outside for flyers entitling you to a free glass of wine. QOpen
11:00 - 23:00. (€6-19). PJA
Sarajevo ‘84 B-2, Nazorjeva 12. Just opened in early
September, the city’s newest Bosnian restaurant occupies the
subterranian premises of a recently closed jazz club and sports
an interior somewhat reminiscent of a pub - walls plastered
with memorabilia from the 1984 Winter Olympics, arched brick
ceilings and old black and white Yugoslav tourist videos playing
on a projection screen. The menu only has two main dishes, so
ordering comes down to which shape you prefer your meat to
take: sausages (ćevapčići) or a patty (pljeskavica), both of which
come with bread and diced onions. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Fri,
Sat 11:00 - 02:00. Closed Sun. (€3.90-4.80). JAS
Buffet
Fresco B-2, Slovenska 51, tel. (+386) 1430 33 30. A basic
modern canteen geared towards the time-poor lunchtime office
worker crowd, this bright orange restaurant looking not unlike the
inside of a train (albeit a rather large one) provides both helpyourself
and waiter service and is good value for money if nothing
else. Highlights include ready-to-grab meals from the hotplates
by the entrance and a slightly better than average salad bar.
QOpen 08:00 - 23:00. (€2-39). PAGBSW
Restaurant 2000 B-3, Trg Republike 1, tel. (+386) 1476
69 25. A vast underground filling station for budget-conscious
city slickers such as construction workers, Korean businessmen
and of course the obligatory sprinkling of students. Grab
a tray, throw on some meat, mashed potato, rice, salad, whatever,
don’t forget to pick up a soft drink, pay and eat. Find it deep
inside the bowels of Maxi Market. QOpen 07:00 - 19:00, Sat
08:00 - 17:00. Closed Sun. (€5-7). PJGBSW
Ljubljana In Your Pocket ljubljana.inyourpocket.com
Fish
Operna Klet B-2, Zupančičeva 2, tel. (+386) 1252 70
03. Tucked away just off the main road and down a flight of
steps, those in the know who enjoy fine fish dining are apt to
totter down the aforementioned stairway and feast in simple
surroundings on an extensive menu including octopus salad,
scampi and Dalmatian squid. The décor has a aquatic theme
too, and you’ll not hear a lot of English spoken. Recommended
for both its unpretentiousness and the quality of the food.
Be warned though, the place can fill to bursting at lunchtime
during the week. QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Sat 11:00 - 18:00.
Closed Sun. (€6-20). PJA6UGB
Ribca B-3, Adamič-Lundrovo Nabrežje 1, tel. (+386) 14
25 15 44, www.ribca.si. Somewhat hidden below Plečnik’s
famous colonnaded arcade on the banks of the Ljubljanica,
Ribca is the city’s best known seafood restaurant and worth
stopping by as much for the architecture as the food. The various
fish, squid and shrimp dishes on their no-nonsense menu
are pretty much guaranteed to be fresh as it’s all sourced from
the local fish market located right next door. The lunch menu
is a great value at €7.50, but make sure to stop by early as it’s
only open during the day. QOpen 08:00 - 16:00, Sat 08:00
- 14:00. Closed Sun. (€3.30-7.70). JA6BS
French
Le Coq Blanc B-3, Gornji Trg 4, tel. (+386) 30 35 38 48,
lecoqblanc@gmail.com. Occupying a large house in the heart
of Old Town, you have a choice of several intimate dining rooms
all boasting cosy antique furniture or outdoor seating on both
Gornji Trg and in a quiet corner of Levstikov Trg on the opposite
side of the building. The food is excellent and the multi-course
daily specials are a great value. We also appreciate the small
touches like home-made bread, lemon slices in our water and
ljubljana.inyourpocket.com
restAurAnts
genuinely friendly service. Although it is still fairly new, we’re
amazed that this place isn’t nearly as popular as it should be.
Highly recommended. QOpen 07:00 - 24:00. JAIB
Indian
Namasté B-3, Breg 8, tel. (+386) 14 25 01 59, www.restavracija-namaste.si.
Lots of greens, oranges and golds and
some nice exotic touches create a relaxing atmosphere inside a
super restaurant specialising primarily in dishes from Rajastan
and the Punjab. Using the best spices imported directly from
India, the owners stress the fact that the dishes, both meat and
vegetarian options are made individually from mild to extra hot.
By all accounts the food is excellent. QOpen 11:00 - 24:00, Sun
11:00 - 22:00. (€5-21). PTJA6UGBXS
International
As B-3, Čopova 5/a, Knafljev prehod, tel. (+386) 1425 88
22, www.gostilnaas.si. Exquisite presentation and service
mark the legendary As out as one of the most expensive
dining experiences in the city. Brimming with antiques and wellbehaved
waiters, sit amidst opulent detritus and feast from a
menu including more fancy dishes than you could eat in a year
including baked potatoes with caviar, lamb cutlet with honey and
truffles plus a battalion of fabulous desserts. QOpen 11:00
- 24:00. (€4.50-31)PJAGB
Atrium G-2, Pot Za Brdom 55, tel. (+386) 147 02 700,
fax (+386) 147 02 708, www.hotel.mons.si. The menu at
the flagship restaurant of the Mons Hotel and Congress Centre
is a sublime mix of the traditional and the contemporary. Classic
dishes are brought to life with modern twists, such as the
saddle of lamb served with pears and polenta. QOpen 12:00
- 23:00. Closed Sun. €16. PTHULGKW
December 2009 - January 2010
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