I have wandered past Hotel Palace thousands of times, but had never been inside. It looks a grand old place but, if I am not staying in a hotel, something holds me back from visiting. When I checked out the pictures, particularly of the terrace, on the Sunčani Hvar website, it looked even more splendid.
I never expected my first visit to be as the official announcer of the 1612 Hvar Governor, complete with white stockings which kept falling down (I now better understand the practical aspects of suspender belts…) as part of the wonderful Renaissance Dinner the other day, but so it proved.
As the guests filed into the Arsenal for their 17th Century banquet, Lady Total Hvar and I were invited to have dinner on the Palace Terrace. As a romantic setting, with us both dressed up in our period costumes, it sounded like an appealing invitation, although I was not setting my expectations high with regard to the food. How wrong I was!
The entire menu has been overhauled in the last few months, and we were more than pleasantly surprised by the food, the service and the ambiance. Although it was great to have the terrace to ourselves, it was a shame that more people were not enjoying the fantastic views and great dining. I am sure that there are many, like me, who did not really consider having dinner in a hotel, especially as there was little information available.
So here it is, the entire new menu from Hotel Palace and its splendid San Marco Terrace. The black gnocchi and shrimp was divine, washed down with a Tomić Plavac 2010, while The Boss is still talking about the SISI dessert.
HOTEL Palace
In 1869, Empress Elisabeth of Vienna was leading the way for healthy living. She discovered the city of Hvar and such was her love for Hvar that she encouraged the city to build the iconic Palace hotel. The first part of the hotel, located in the former duke’s palace, was finished in 1898.
Empress Elisabeth contributed to the financing of the project and the design of the hotel. The construction took another five years to complete and the hotel was finally inaugurated in 1901. In her honour, it was named The Empress Elisabeth Health hotel. From the beginning, the hotel was a great success welcoming guests from all over Europe and establishing Hvar as the famous destination that it is today.
San Marco terrace
Personally designed by Empress Elisabeth to allow her to fully enjoy the breath-taking view of the Adriatic sea rolling into Hvar, today it still offers an unrivalled position within the city just as the Empress Elisabeth imagined. Being one of the grandest buildings in Hvar, this beautifully ornamented terrace floats above the city and offers great views of the famous Pjaca, the 800 year old church and the Arsenal theatre, which is the oldest community theatre in Europe (1612).
Palace specialty
Tartar steak prepared at the table (for 2 persons) 190 kn
Legend has it that the nomadic Tatar people of the central Asian steppes did not have time to cook so they placed tough meat underneath their horses’ saddles to tenderize during their journey.
Perhaps the earliest American restaurant version of steak tartar is found at Liuchow’s, the famous German restaurant in Manhattan where the dish was purportedly put on the menu to help a well-known patron lose weight.
Allow us to treat you to a taste of history as we prepare at the table this dish of finely chopped beef fillet and a variety of spices to your taste.
A truly personalized dish which was Empress Elisabeth’s favourite meal.
Chateaubriand (for 2 persons) 500 kn
The recipe was created by Montmireil, the personal chef of Francois René Vicomte de Chateaubriand, a famous author and diplomat who served Napoleon as an ambassador and Louis XVIII as Secretary of State for two years.
Chateaubriand is the highest quality fillet of beef which is carefully grilled and served on a platter with a variety of side dishes. It is decorated with maître d’hôtel butter and fresh fruit twists.
Side dishes are French salad with anchovies, straw potatoes, fresh vegetables salad, sautéed vegetables or grilled mushrooms and aurora sauce.
The Chateaubriand is cut in front of you, which gives a special irresistible note.
Glamorous SISI Dessert 55 kn
Elisabeth SISI’s favourite magical taste, a combination of marzipan, dried apricot, nougat cream, served with strawberry sauce and Chantilly cream.
Palace Special Menu (for 2 persons) 735 kn
Tartar steak, Chateaubriand and Glamorous SISI Dessert
Enjoy all our Palace specials together for just 49 € per person.
Appetizers & salads
Salad of Rocket and Cherry Tomatoes 55 kn
cherry tomatoes, served with rocket leaves and garnished with slices of Grana Padano cheese
Beef Carpaccio 85 kn
sliced beef fillet with Grana Padano shavings and homemade olive oil
Octopus Salad 75 kn
refreshing salad with Mediterranean flavors of octopus rings, with onions, tomatoes, garlic, capers, parsley, olives, vinegar and homemade olive oil
Dalmatian Platter 95 kn
traditional Dalmatian smoked ham, olives, and cheese from Livno town
Bruschetta with Smoked Salmon 75 kn
simple and irresistible appetizer of smoked salmon, served on bruschetta with butter, fennel and lemon, chopped eggs, onion and capers
Croatian Cheese Platter 95 kn
Caprodur, Caprilo, Gligora and Pag cheeses served with almonds, dried figs, apples and grapes
VEGETARIAN DISHES
Mediterranean Salad 65 kn
a spectrum of colors in this Mediterranean salad of fresh tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, boiled potatoes enriched with eggs and blue cheese dressing
Marinated Vegetables with Grilled Cheese 75 kn
fresh vegetables marinated in Hvar’s own olive oil and Dalmatian lemon with grilled cheese and tomato sauce
SOUPS
Fish Soup 55 kn
a light fresh fish soup Hvar-style enriched with rice
Choice of Cold or Warm Tomato Consommé 55 kn
delicious tomato consommé with pesto dumplings
Vegetable Soup with Shrimps 60 kn
light homemade soup with a richness of fresh vegetables and Adriatic shrimp tails
Pasta & risotto
Black Risotto 80 kn
traditional and favourite Dalmatian dish of cuttlefish, wine, squid ink and rice
Spaghetti Frutti di Mare 115 kn
irresistible taste of spaghetti with shells, shrimps and scampi, prepared with olive oil and wine of Hvar
Homemade Black Noodles with Monkfish on Saffron Sauce 90 kn
grilled monkfish medallions, served on black noodles prepared with a sauce of olive oil, garlic, parsley and white wine
Black Gnocchi with Shrimps and Tomato Sauce 90 kn
black gnocchi with shrimps and tomato sauce topped with parmesan cheese
Mushroom Risotto with Stuffed Zucchini 85 kn
harmony of garden tastes: baked zucchini filled with chopped vegetables and cheese, served with mushroom risotto
From the sea
Daily Fresh Fish 450 kn
grilled fresh fish, served with Swiss chard Dalmatian style
Seafood Platter (for two persons) 290 kn
platter of fresh fish, squid, mussels and scampi served with Swiss chard and potatoes
Dorado in Wine 135 kn
fresh Dorado fish backed with slices of potatoes, tomatoes, carrot, zucchini, olive oil and wine
“Gregada” Hvar’s oldest dish 190 kn
Gregada is fresh fish stewed with slices of potatoes, onion, olive oil, white wine and parsley. Traditionally served straight from the pot. For your enjoyment we serve it individually.
Grilled Scampi 170 kn
grilled fresh shrimps with lemon and homemade olive oil
Scallops Gratinated with Shrimps and Sauce Mornay 150 kn
refined taste of St. Jacob’s heart cap enriched with chopped shrimp and fresh vegetables, topped with cream sauce and parmesan cheese
Mixed Shellfish in White Sauce 150 kn
fresh Adriatic shells in a Hvar style white sauce. to be enjoyed with bread.
Tuna Steak en Papillote 120 kn
fresh Adriatic tuna steak with vegetables en papillote
Calamari (Grilled or Fried) 95 kn
calamari served with Swiss chard and potatoes Dalmatian style
Meat dishes
Beef Fillet on Green Pepper Sauce 155 kn
the juiciest part of the beef fillet, grilled, dressed with green pepper sauce, served on green peas and baked potatoes flavoured with Hvar rosemary butter
Beef Wellington, another Palace classic 200 kn
marinated tenderloin of beef baked in puff pastry, served with grilled vegetables, steak fries and Madeira sauce
Veal Escalope “Paillard” 140 kn
the juiciest part of the leg of veal grilled, served with rice, rocket and Grana Padano cheese which gives a heightened irresistible taste
Chicken Breast with Alfredo Sauce 135 kn
grilled chicken breast served on mashed potatoes with roasted garlic, decorated with prosciutto crisps and Alfredo sauce
Black & White Rhapsody 130 kn
a rhapsody of taste with grilled pork medallions combined with cuttlefish ink, served with white tagliatelle and topped with gorgonzola sauce. Carbonara Royalty style.
Side dishes
Fried Potatoes 30 kn
Grilled Vegetables 30 kn
Stuffed Potatoes with Cheese and Bacon 35 kn
Gratuities are not compulsory
If you are happy with the service we offer, gratuities are welcomed
Thank You
DESSERTS
Glamorous SISI Dessert 55 kn
Elisabeth SISI’s favourite magical taste: a combination of marzipan, dried apricot and nougat cream – served with strawberry sauce and Chantilly cream
Black & White Mousse 45 kn
irresistible taste of favourite black & white desserts: a combination of bitter and white chocolate with rum, amaretto and berries
Chocolate Cake 40 kn
a juicy symphony of tastes: chocolate, orange and amaretto
Panna Cotta 35 kn
delicious cool cream dessert with berries
Hvar’s Rožata 40 kn
Hvar favorite sweets with caramel sauce traditionally prepared with the addition of rose water, milk, eggs, sugar and rum
Fruit Cup 35 kn
selection of fresh fruits with orange juice, maraschino, ice cream and waffles
Crepes Suzette – the ultimate show at your table 55 kn
A French dessert of crêpe with ‘beurre Suzette’, a sauce of caramelized sugar, orange juice, zest, and topped with Grand Marnier. It is served flambé and can be filled with a choice of chocolate, ice cream, nuts or marmalade.
Ice Cream 35 kn
perfect refreshment for summer days: bowl of ice cream with taste of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry or lemon, decorated with waffles
International Cheese Platter 95 kn
Camembert, Ementhal, Gorgonzola mousse and Grana Padano cheese served with walnuts, grapes and apples
Total Hvar articles about San Marco:
Undiscovered Hvar Town: Dinner on the Hotel Palace Terrace
