Croatia - Eastern Europe - page 163

In the Pipeline

Le Meridien Lav will became the only internationally affiliated hotel in the
Split area when it opens in fall 2006 on the site of the former Hotel Lav. The
381-unit hotel is currently being redeveloped as a seafront resort destina-
tion with three restaurants, four bars, indoor and outdoor pools, spa facili-
ties, a private beach with watersports and tennis courts. The hotel is 20
minutes from the city center and 40 minutes from Split-Kastela Interna-
tional Airport. Go to www.starwoodhotels.com for more information.

INEXPENSIVE
Hotel Jupiter The Jupiter is located next to the 1,700-year-old Temple of
Jupiter near Narodni Trg and in the middle of Split's nightlife action. Jupiter is really
a guesthouse, but it is an excellent place to bunk if you don't mind sharing a bath-
room. Jupiter had an overhaul for the 2005 season and the spartan rooms and bath-
rooms now gleam.
Grabovceva Sirina 1. & 021/344-801. www.hotel-jupiter.info. 25 units. 250kn ($43/£23) per person. No credit cards.
Amenities: Cafe/bar; TV room. In room:A/C double and triple rooms, fans in singles.
WHERE TO DINE
It isn't difficult to find a place to eat in Split, but finding a restaurant other than a
pizzeria or konoba is challenging. However, Split's dining scene is improving as new
hotels open and bring more tourist traffic to town.
VERY EXPENSIVE
Boban at Hektorovi 5 eva 49 ( & 098/205-575 ) has a reputation dating from its
founding in 1973. Both the indoor dining room and outdoor terrace are beautiful set-
tings for the chef 's consistently excellent creations, which range from seafood prepa-
rations to traditional Croatian fare. Restoran S umica at Put Firula 6 ( & 021/
389-897) is an upscale restaurant near Ba c vice Beach southeast of Old Town and one of
the most romantic in Split. The house specialty is tagliatelle with scampi and salmon. Pair
it with a bottle from S umica's excellent cellar and enjoy it under pines on the terrace.
EXPENSIVE
Restoran Sarajevo , at Domaldova 6 ( & 021/347-454 ), is an old-style dining
room in a space supported by vaulted arches constructed at the beginning of the last
millennium. Try the ra z nji 5 i, chunks of grilled meat skewered on tiny swords and be
warned that the mixed-grill plate includes liver. Service can be slow and impersonal.
Restoran Tifani in Hotel Peristil ( & 021/329-070 ) is a welcome departure from
the same old, same old, that characterizes most of Split's restaurants. Here house-made
noodles with mussels, mortadella, and peppers come together in a creamy sauce laced
with cheese and sautéed stroganoff is a happy mix of beef, Madeira sauce, mushrooms,
gherkins, and cream.
MODERATE
Bistro XVII Stolje 5 a at Poljana Grgura Ninskog 7 in Old Town ( & 021/314-519 )
is an eatery on a courtyard with three others and one of the few places in Split with

Value