Kvarner is just far enough to be something special, and just close enough that an escape there doesn't need big advance plans. Whether it's an "indulgent" weekend or "just" a good dinner, maybe just a coffee or a walk by the sea with the smell of pine forests - Kvarner is magical, a place of exceptional gourmet pleasures and a unique climate. It is an excellent culinary destination that can be visited without special preparations, as it is so close to us.
For Kvarner it is often said that it is Croatia's best kept secret. To visit this part Croatia we don't need a special reason, it's worth driving to the northern part at every opportunity of the Adriatic Sea. Interesting, different and so special, but at the same time so close that every moment is worth using to jump to the coast there. By the broadest definition, it is Kvarner the northern part of the Adriatic Sea between the Vinodol-Velebit and Istrian coasts. By narrow definition, it is Kvarner the sea between Cres and the Istrian coast. If we are a little less stingy with words, well Kvarner combines different stories - the natural beauty of Gorski Kotor, the elegance of the Opatija Riviera, Crikvenica, Novi Vinodolski, the urban center of Reka and Kvarner the islands of Krk, Rab, Cres and Lošinj. The slogan "Diversity is beautiful" represents Kvarner in all its essence. From the beautiful coast, beautiful islands, mountains, pleasant climate, walks, hiking, cycling to fun trips, historical sites, cultural events and delicious cuisine.
The best kept culinary secret
Kvarner delights all tastes. In addition to the natural features, this part of Croatia also attracts, or especially, gourmets. Kvarner is the region with the largest concentration of top-class restaurants at a short distance from each other, which have been at the top of the Croatian gourmet scene for years. Many gastronomic guides regularly mention them and highlight the local authentic cuisine, which perfectly blends modern and traditional. The essence of everything is quality, fresh, seasonal and local ingredients - this is the simple and uncompromising philosophy of the best Kvarner caterers. That it is Kvarner magically caught between the mountains and the sea, it brings the original smells and tastes of the Mediterranean, which are complemented by selected Croatian wines of local varieties. It's not so hard to imagine a slightly frosted glass on the summer terrace next to a beautiful plate and with the sound of the sea as a backdrop, isn't it?
Flagship horses of gastro Kvarner
Seafood delicacies, excellent olive oil, original dishes of continental cuisine and excellent desserts are just some of what is served on the day of Kvarner culinary arts. This can be experienced equally well and with quality in an authentic tavern or in modern slow food restaurants. The season begins with asparagus, and in mid-April a festival dedicated to this aromatic plant takes place in Lovran. During this time, restaurants and taverns offer dishes containing wild asparagus, and the real attraction is the huge frittata, which is made at the festival from a thousand eggs and thirty kilograms of wild asparagus. If asparagus is the prelude to a rich season of local produce, wine is the prelude and companion to every main meal in the area. For Kvarner wines are said to be easier to taste than to pronounce their names. The most celebrated variety is Vrbniška Zlahtina. It is a dry, extremely harmonious and harmonious wine with a refined aroma, which is obtained from the autochthonous white grape variety of the Krsko and Vinodol mountains. The wine got its name from the place where it originates – the town of Vrbnik on the island of Krk.
If Vrbniška Zlahtina is the flagship among wines, the same recognition goes to the seafood dish - shrimp. Kvarner shrimp are the best in the world. It is not a figment of the imagination of the locals, this is also claimed by experts, although no one can explain this fact in detail. Kvarner shrimp are pale red in appearance, their shell is thinner than the pod says, and their most distinct feature is that they live in very shallow seas with many sources of drinking water, which is why they are so soft and sweet. In addition to shrimp, squid and all kinds of fish are often found on the seafood platter. At the same time, we should not ignore the fact that it is Kvarner culinary paradise even for those who do not like the smell of fish. Budel - Goranian bacon and pork filling or homemade pasta "shurlice", which are usually served with shrimp or lamb goulash, leave no one indifferent. Žgvacet is a well-known dish made from rabbit shoulders, and lamb from the oven is a favorite dish of many meat lovers.
Rab cake, the queen of desserts
Made from almonds, lemon, sugar, eggs and Maraschino liqueur, the Raba cake tempts even those who indulge in culinary arts salty preferred over sweet. The recipe for this unique sweet specialty is centuries old and requires traditional preparation, a steady hand, experience and patience, as the entire preparation process takes several days. The secret recipe dates back to 1177, when the Rab cake was served to Pope Alexander III. at the blessing of the Assumption Cathedral on the island of Rab, even otherwise this cake was reserved for the more wealthy. Today, this is no longer true, but it is definitely reserved for everyone who knows how to enjoy a good dessert. Locals regularly prepare Raba cake on special occasions. To one of the most famous Kvarner desserts champagne or prosecco are perfect. Other well-known desserts are chestnut cake, cake with cottage cheese, and cookies that look a bit like our baked mice.
Homemade brandy is served with figs or figs, which are prepared by adding raisins, brandy, wine and cinnamon to ground figs. The mixture is then mixed and shaped into a cone and left on a fig leaf to dry for a few days. Figs are served cut into slices with homemade brandy and the addition of aromatic herbs. Because in the end, coffee always "fits", even on Kvarner, let's mention another specialty - personalized espresso. This is not some new type of coffee, but the offer of the Opatija restaurant Bevanda, which is constantly looking for new and new ways of innovative expression. Coffee lovers can enjoy the so-called personalized espresso, the flavors of which change according to the seasons. It is a coffee with a story, in which an expert team participated and invented coffee from the world's top varieties from Mexico, Haiti, Puerto Rico, Honduras and Burundi. This blend is said to have an almost perfect character, described by a pronounced aroma of hazelnut, chestnut and honey with prominent notes of prunes. The mixture is fragrant and seductive, with a distinct taste and an ideal harmony of sweet, bitter and sour. It sounds like a miracle drink and a good enough reason to drive to Opatija for a personalized coffee at the first opportunity.
Gourmet map
So that it's even easier for gourmets to find themselves at Kvarner culinary scene, will be provided by two new quality labels, which are awarded according to strict criteria. Kvarner Gourmet stands for innovative cuisine, Kvarner Food and typical local specialties. We will experience the essence at caterers bearing the Gourmet label Kvarner landscape, history and culture. All this will be complemented by selected wines with an emphasis on local varieties, in an aesthetically arranged and equipped environment, where special attention is paid to details and professional and friendly staff. Label Kvarner Food but provides culinary experience, in which the Kvarner soul is reflected. They say that you get to know the soul of a place if you visit the monuments and feel the spirit of the past, if you look at the architecture in which people live, if you visit the markets and bars and if you try their everyday dishes.
To this we might add that henceforth the soul Kvarner we also get to know if we visit restaurants with a label Kvarner Food. Here it is cooked according to grandmothers' recipes, seasonal ingredients are used, seafood and swimming fish, Mediterranean fruits and vegetables predominate here. The food is mainly fried or boiled, and baked dishes are a special specialty. Under the label Kvarner Food, catering establishments, taverns and bistros, which the hosts have arranged pleasantly, offer traditional Primorsko-Goran dishes, prepared from fresh, local ingredients, with Kvarner olive oils and wines. Labels Kvarner Gourmet or Kvarner Food are visibly marked at the entrance to a tavern or a prestigious restaurant. For an even easier orientation and selection of gourmet surpluses, we can download a free application Kvarner Gourmet & Food.
You can also see the beauty of Kvarner and its culinary delights in the gallery.
