It Bled Rustic Chic

I didn’t expect to follow a dirt road to end up at the desired location. It looked as if I had taken a wrong turn, but it wasn’t so. Old Cellar in downtown Bled is a modestly presented stellar restaurant that expertly combines traditional Slovenian cuisine with modern finesse and elegance.

The wine list was generous and included varieties that were all Slovenia grown. The food menu was triumphant in its restriction to traditional dishes and, as expected, laced with buckwheat. Buckwheat is central feature of Slovenia cuisine and has been cultivated and consumed for centuries. It also supports the preservation of bees, a critical contributor to the Slovenian economy, not to mention global environmental health.

As a starter, I opted for the cauliflower soup and a non-alcoholic beverage. Not usually a cola drinker, I couldn’t resist ordering a Vipi Kola since it was, along with everything else on the menu, made in Slovenia. It was refreshing and sweet without being overwhelming.

Vipi Kola made in Slovenia at Old Cellar in downtown Bled

Cauliflower soup starter at Old Cellar

For the main course, I decided on the pork belly with buckwheat dumplings. This highly anticipated meal was paired with an “orange” wine, which is a red-white blend. All of the flavors combined beautifully and made for a scrumptious and surprisingly light meal. A regional dessert made from apple sandwiched in flaky pastry and accompanied by a silky red dessert wine made for a nice finish to a memorable meal.