Zinfandel’s Restaurant in the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel received a prestigious green Michelin star this year. The first of its kind in Croatia, it is awarded for sustainability and responsible gastronomy. The Esplanade Zagreb’s Director Ivica Max Krizmanić, Maître Hôtelier, is a founder member of the Bailliage. The hotel is also important to us because it’s where the Bailliage’s Inauguration Ceremony and Gala Dinner took place in 2018.

Members and their guests spent unforgettable moments enjoying fine dishes prepared by the great chef Ana Grgić Tomić, Maître Rôtisseur. Her fine dishes were accompanied by excellent wines and served by the impeccable staff led by Stjepan Okun.

COVID-19 certificates checked and epidemiological measures understood the lunch began as it should with a sparkling wine from the Tomac Diplomat Winery.

In his welcome speech, Bailli Délégué Dalibor Greganić emphasised his extreme pleasure that, despite all obstacles, the Bailliage managed to organise several smaller and two major events this year.

The first course was a pumpkin, truffle and bacon velouté with cashews and thyme. Krauthaker Pinot Gris from Kutjevo accompanied

Second course: a surprise in terms of taste and boldness of the combination. Chef Ana Grgić Tomić prepared cod tripe in kulen (produced by Zvonimir Jelić) sauce and herbs with the addition of okra. Everything came together in a perfect blend causing widespread enthusiasm among members, additionally stimulated by sips of Kozlović Malvasia.

Third course was a smoked flounder fillet wrapped in a briefly grilled cabbage leaf with shallots on the side. The robust cabbage leaf kept the fish so tender it almost melted in our mouths. It went perfectly well with Jako Vino Pošip Stina from Brač.

The main course always takes more time to prepare so before it is served there is always an interlude. Conseiller Gastronomique Radovan Marčić filled the time by welcoming members and guests. He emphasised how happy he was that the meal was being held at the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel due to the tradition of organising holiday meals in hotel restaurants. For 96 years the citizens of Zagreb have appreciated the hotel and its restaurant as a symbol of perfect accommodation and excellent dining.

Main course: USA striploin with salted beetroot, a few drops of pine oil, pine nuts and black garlic accompanied by a powerful Vinarija Benkovac ‘Korlat’ Cabernet Sauvignon by Badel 1862 (the largest and oldest producer of wines and spirits in Croatia). Words were superfluous! Meat soft as butter, side dishes complemented each other in perfect harmony. No wonder every plate was completely cleaned!

Finally: dessert came in several forms. All were matched by the excellent Ilok Graševina Principovac.

Everyone received a copy of “Life in Stories - Strong Women to Strong Women” by Profil Klet. Its promotional material said “With all the wonderful projects and great challenges, our efforts and desires, at the end of the day we are left with only what is the most beautiful in us - joy and gratitude, trust and intimacy, a smile and a hug that we have for each other.”

Perfect words for dessert: buckwheat millefeuille with chestnut, tonka bean foam and chocolate.

We wished each other Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, applauding Esplanade Zagreb Hotel and Zinfandel's restaurant staff who once again proved to be great hosts.

Sunčana Barušić
Dame de la Chaîne