Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
phasisongame),andIndian(Himalayan)dishes.Leohasarespectforsaladsandvegetables
and a passion for fish. Creative cooking, fine presentation, friendly service, and an atmo-
sphereastastefullyeclecticasthefoodmakethisplaceagreatsplurge(€9-14pastas,€11-24
main courses, plus a few pricier splurges, Mon-Fri 12:00-15:00 & 18:00-23:00, Sat-Sun
12:00-23:00,nexttorecommendedHotelLovecatLjubljanskacesta8,tel.04/574-1458).In
the back of the menu, look for the copy of the guest book page with Paul McCartney's visit
fromMay2005.Aroundtheleftsideofthebuildingis
Balkan Grill,
Leo'ssmallerpavilion
restaurant, serving up Balkan-style grilled meats at lower prices (€5-10 grilled meats—for
Sept only, closed off-season and in bad weather).
Oštarija Peglez'n
(“The Old Iron”), conveniently located on the main road between the
commercial center and the lake, cooks up tasty Slovenian and Mediterranean meals, with
an emphasis on fish and fun, family-style shareable plates. Choose between the delightful
Slovenian cottage interior or the shady streetside terrace. Reservations are smart in summer
(€8-10 salads and pastas, €12-20 main courses, daily 12:00-23:00, Cesta Svobode 19A, tel.
04/574-4218).
Vila Prešeren
is the best choice for lakeside dining, featuring mod decor, good interna-
tional cuisine (as well as some traditional Slovenian dishes), and a giant terrace reaching all
the way down to the lakefront path. Despite the overworked waitstaff, this is a great spot
to linger over a meal, a drink, or a classic Lake Bled dessert (€10-12 salads, €9-14 pastas,
€12-22 main courses, daily 7:00-23:00, Veslaška promenada 14, tel. 04/575-2510). They
also rent eight overpriced but well-located rooms upstairs (Db-€150,
www.vilapreseren.si
).
Mayer Penzion,
justupthehillfromthelakefront,hasadressyrestaurantwithgoodtra-
ditional cooking that's worth the short hike. This is where a Babel of international tourists
comes to swap hiking tips and day-trip tales. As this is the only real restaurant in the
pension neighborhood, it can be very busy—reserve ahead (€8-21 main courses, Tue-Sun
18:00-24:00, closed Mon, indoor or outdoor seating, above Hotel Jadran at Želeška cesta 7,
tel. 04/576-5740).
Gostilna Pri Planincu
(“By the Mountaineers”) is a homey, informal bar coated with
license plates and packed with fun-loving and sometimes rowdy natives. A larger dining
area sprawls behind the small, local-feeling pub, and there's outdoor seating out front
and on the side patio. The menu features huge portions of stick-to-your-ribs Slovenian
pub grub, plus Balkan grilled-meat specialties (€10-20 main courses). Look for their €6-9
daily specials—huge, home-style traditional dishes. Upstairs is a timbered pizzeria selling
€6-10 wood-fired pies (daily 9:00-23:00, pizzeria open from 11:00, Grajska cesta 8, tel. 04/
574-1613). The playful cartoon mural along the outside of the restaurant shows different
typesofmountaineers(fromlefttoright):thief,normal,mooch(“gopher”),climber,andna-
ked (...well, almost).
