The Croatian gastronomic scene is increasingly gaining recognition of excellence, and that is evidenced by the progress that makes the hard work of Croatian restaurateurs and chefs recognized, and ultimately profitable. The last great recognition came from La Liste, which lists 1,000 of the best restaurants of the world formed by the opinion of international experts in the field of gastronomy and wine.
This year’s La Liste assessment was held on 5 December at the Palace Hall e Quai d’Orsay, in which an elite group chose not one, but two Croatian restaurants and two prides of Istrian cuisine: “Damir & Ornella” from Novigrad and “Villa Meneghetti” from Bale, reports Vecernji List on 14 December 2016.
The best ranking (618th place) was achieved by restaurant “Damir & Ornella” who received 87.5 points and was found in front of one of the most famous French restaurants “Pierre Gagnaire pour Les Airelles”, otherwise the holder of two Michelin stars with a menu price that ranges from 220 too 500 euros.
Restaurant “Damir & Ornella” has been known primarily for their fish specialties, but inclusion on the list of the best newly confirms their quality. Their motto is strictly “out of the sea and onto the table”, a means to use only the freshest fish with, of course, other food sources.
A restaurant that boasts only six tables ensures the maximum attention of the chefs and the staff. Only the freshest ingredients, a pleasant atmosphere, and the superb skills of experienced chefs Damir & Ornella guarantees a unique culinary experience.
It is important to bear in mind that La Liste is one of the world’s most prestigious competitions when it comes to restaurants. The list is ranked traditionally at the end of the year and published in Paris in front of the world’s best chefs and gastronomic reviewers. The list is also obtained by a complex method of assessment that includes results from more than 200 national guides and publications such as the Gault Millau, Michelin, Dining Out, TimeOut Food & Drink Awards, the NY Times, Feinschmecker, 50 Best, Gambero Rosso, Espresso and many others.
In creating the ranking of the best, online sources such as TripAdvisor, Yelp and L`Internaute are also included in an effort to evaluate absolutely everything in the restaurant from the environment, to food quality, preparation, presentation, and the wine and cocktail offer. Due to this complex method of assessment, La Liste is considered one of the most objective rankings of restaurants in the world – with a slogan that boasts “Objectively delicious – Deliciously objective”.
When we take into account all of the factors above, it is truly an honor that two Istrian restaurants earned their place in this glamorous project. This honor speaks volumes not only about the power of the Croatian gastro scene, but also about its future where Croatian chefs and culinary representatives will undoubtedly have more success and even better placements.
