Day 9. Ljubljana lunch.

One of the joys of traveling and also one of its challenges is finding something to eat. Our aim is to eat more like locals than tourists. From time to time we will seek wisdom from a native or from Lonely Planet or Trip Advisor. On a weekend stroll through Ljubljana we don’t have the luxury of WiFi so we employed a few techniques we have developed to find reasonably priced, good food.

 

Firstly, we try to avoid the main streets and especially any place with umbrellas or awnings out the front. The streets around the corner or one street back from the main drag are our preferred choice, as they tend to be less touristy and cheaper. Secondly. we like to see others, preferably locals eating there – popularity is not always a good omen but it’s better than going somewhere that is empty.  Thirdly, we try to brave places, if possible, without translated menus. Fourthly, we find that a big meal at lunchtime and a snack for dinner is a much better option, as the lunch meals tend to be more economical. Fifthly, we often go for the special of the day – often not even sure what we are getting. Finally, we try to look at what people are wearing – if they are all dressed up, then we are going to feel out of place in our traveling uniforms and we are probably not going to enjoy the prices.

We could boast that this always works but that would be a lie. However, often it produces gems and it certainly did in Ljubljana.  Our restaurant choice fitted all the above criteria. With the help of the waitress who spoke some English we order the two lunchtime three-course specials. For starters Wendy had a comforting beef soup with a homemade rissoni while Richard enjoyed a creamy cauliflower soup.  Wendy then had sliced veal and turkey, served with a white sauce, carrots, peas and fried semolina. Richard had the same but with an eggplant and zucchini pie in place of the meat. For variety, we normally swap meals half way through, thus each savouring both options. The meal also included side salads and of course delicious bread. Dessert was a very unusual warm layered pudding with apple, walnuts and poppy seeds. Fortunately, unlike Italy, Slovenia is also willing to serve our drinks of choice- free tap water.

A huge, hearty, simple and traditional Slovenian meal for two for a mere18 Euro – about  $27AUD.