Old seducer with new look - Fish specialties in renovated interior of Bled restaurant

(Photo: restoran-bled.rs)

Situated at the corner of streets Budimska, Vojvode Dobrnjca and Despota Stefana Boulevard, Bled restaurant is facing the Botanical Garden. This summer again, citizens of Belgrade come to the peaceful open-air section of the restaurant to hide from the sun and city noise and enjoy food and drink.

Bled remembers the history of Belgrade since 1903. It outlasted four kings and five countries and survived two world wars.

- Some guests come here for more than fifty years to have a cup of coffee in this section of the restaurant - says Dragana Jankovic, manager of Bled.

This restaurant has always been famous for its excellent fish specialties. It is now reorganized - the interior is renovated, so that its look now matches the outstanding food in its offer.

Deaf Kosta and famous small hats

In the early 20th century, king opened a tavern at Student Square and appointed "deaf" Kosta as the manager. Politicians loved to tell secrets to each others at that place. And since Kosta was "deaf", they complained and criticized the king and the dynasty aloud.

(Photo: eKapija)

Stories quickly started to spread - Kosta's hearing was excellent, and he even better wrote down the news and spread them, which put many people in trouble. They had to escape from the center, which is why Bled was opened in Dorcol - in the working-class district, which was a suburb for the citizens of Belgrade at the time. Enjoying their carp and wine, politicians were able to talk without fear, as well as to listen to what people were saying about them.

Even cultural elite always loved to come to this restaurant, for the building of which the city stories say that it belonged to a sailor a long time ago. Writers, actors, painters, bohemians and journalists drank thousands of wine barrels at 2 Budimska Street, which is now a cultural heritage. Tavern keepers know how to keep secrets, which is why people at Bled do not mention the names of their celebrity guests. However, they do not hide that the hats of a female writer from Belgrade always draw attention of guests, and that the restaurant always has few additional guests thanks to her.

To smelt by coach

Bled was changing its menu throughout the history, but fish specialties have always been on the menu. The pre-war merchants loved to take a coach to Pancevo and grab a beer and pretzels there and then, on their way back, come to Bled for smelt and spritzer.

- Recently, everybody has gone "crazy" for the octopus salad - says Dragana Jankovic.

The restaurant has a new chef who has, together with his assistant, refreshed the menu, introduced some new hot specialties, unusual spices, and a different way of meal preparation.

- Tuna pasta and perch on butter are also among the specialties that the guests enjoy eating. One of our guests' all-time favorites is rolled grilled meat on sataras - says Jankovic.

Spirit of tradition in modern interior

This centennial restaurant always resisted various circumstances and a huge offer of restaurants in the city, but the management has come to a conclusion that something has to be changed after all. They have decided to modernize the interior in order to attract some new guests- business people who would bring their partners here.

- However, we will still retain the spirit of tradition that links generations of people to this restaurant. Although the interior is new and modernly designed, everything is done in accordance with what guests are already used to. Bled is the same, only more beautiful - the restaurant manager explains.

(Photo: eKapija)

Diligent workers have recently finished the space reorganization, and the manager announces certain changes in the offer as well.

- Having in mind the current economic situation in the country, we have introduced a daily menu for guests who want to eat a quality meal at an affordable price. In this way, one can buy an appetizer, salad, main course, dessert and a glass of wine for only RSD 550 - says Jankovic.

Those who want to spend more will be happy to hear that some new Italian, French and Chilean wines will soon be included in the offer.

M.S.