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Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 21 December 2011 14:36 |
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| Waiting on Excellence |
 I, unlike the rest of the foreign community in Belgrade, had not eaten at Public Dine & Wine before this review, but I had heard some very good things. Normally, I am cynical when it comes popular restaurants, however Public Wine & Dine lived up to the er... public’s opinion – oh the shame
When one decides to head out on a cool and foggy December night to eat at a restaurant that they have heard through the grapevine is excellent, one is usually optimistic and full of excitement thinking of the warm and well-cooked meal that awaits them.
I, on the other hand, am innately pessimistic no matter how good something, or indeed somewhere, reportedly is.
Consequently, as I made my way to Public Wine & Dine, I thought ‘This is going to be another let down in the Belgrade culinary journey of Max Williams – review- er extraordinaire.’ The reviewer, that has a terrible habit of switching whimsically between the first and third person, was to soon be proved very wrong.
The entrance to Public sits on a lovely cobbled street, that happens to be the oldest in Belgrde, near the Austrian embassy. As you descend into the heart of the restaurant, a view across the Danube to New Belgrade gently strokes your face, as opposed to hitting you square in the jaw with an iron-clad fist, and it is a beautifully subtle way to enter the establishment. The same goes for the inside of the restaurant, that is if you are lucky enough to be seated at a table next to the plane glass windows.
The first thing that you will notice, as I know I certainly did, and all great minds think alike (says I, in what is no doubt a sentence of offensive flattery), is the laidback, hip and simple decor. It does have a slight whiff of IKEA catalogue, albeit of the nonexistent quite expensive restaurants range variety that the Swedes aren’t specialising in these days. The tables on the upper level are all in light coloured wood, complimented by a very simple table arrangement of white plates and standard silver cutlery. To give credit where it’s due I must say that coupled with the cool wallpaper, the restaurant has a very London or New York feel about it. The tables in the lower lever of the restaurant are bar style, and pleasingly my regular reviewing partner and I were not sat there. Sitting on a stool is perfectly fine when taking in a pre-party cocktail or two and a light snack, but not for a full-blown meal.
 Maybe that’s just me though, however I will acknowledge that for big groups,particularly younger people, it is acceptable. Whilst waiting to be served I slowly, and increasingly irritatingly, stumbled upon the only issue I have with Public, and that, in an ironic and completely unfunny twist, is the waiting itself. It is not uncommon in Serbia to have wait for what seems like an age before you are served, and it would be unfair to say that the wait was ridiculous, but it wasn’t far off. However, after ordering a bottle of Spanish red, which came via the scenic route... probably from Spain, my date and I settled in to peruse the very well put together menu, and drink half the bottle. The wine had a quirk that I love, yet I know others despise. It was chilled. This to me is a lovely thing, but it might make sense for the restaurant to offer customers the choice.
Public Dine & Wine offers a very good selection of dishes, most of them being served on a wooden board. The menu is made up of dishes from across Europe, cooked primarily on lava stones and includes a very nice selection of Serbian specialities. To start, my partner and I opted for the Serbian platter. On the enormous slab of wood was a selection of meats, cheese, ajvar and some of the nicest breadsticks I have ever had the pleasure of having stuck in my gums. The portion sizes, like in most restaurants in Serbia, and across the region for that matter, are vast but for once I didn’t mind. Appetisers mainly consist of meat and cheese dishes, whilst on the main menu the offers are far more extensive. A very good option with certain dishes, like our mixed platter, is the choice of having a small, medium or large. That might sound a bit McDonaldsish, but it makes sense. The more of you there are, the bigger you go. Naturally, being just the two of us, we went for the medium, which still proved too much. After another inexplicably long wait, which gave me more than enough time to take in the fanatic atmosphere, the mains finally arrived. My date ordered the steak tartare, and to cut a very long winded and excessively articulate story short, it was remarkable. I am very rarely jealous in restaurants, I have a keen eye for what sounds good and usually make a choice based on what I see others eating and what I think the chefs from a particular country will be adept at making. As it turned out, my eyes became greener than my dates. Full of flavour, not overpowering and accompanied with deliciously soft bread, she, for once, out did me. To carry on the beef theme, I ordered the beef steak. I admit that a steak is a rather unimaginative choice, but on a cold winters eve, there is something very satisfying about a chunk of meat. On a side note, I am a on a personal quest to find a restaurant in Serbia that can make me a steak the way I actually ask for it – medium, well. And, thankfully, this was the point at which my quest came to an abrupt end. Public, hvala for listening. Along with the delicious steak were three jars, two containing standard
condiments, one containing oranges. I still don’t see the point but I suppose that in an avant-garde Serbian restaurant a few quirks have to be offered. The only slight imperfection of my meal was the distinct lack of vegetables.
 The very thin and wide chips were both superb to taste and in preparation, housed in their paper wrap. This reviewer is a very lucky man. I am allowed, and fortunate enough to eat at some of the best restaurants not only in Serbia, but across the globe. Not only is
Public Dine & Wine a great place by Serbian standards, it is far better than many supposed guarantees in Europe. In words that Winston Churchill probably never said: sometimes you have to experience the bad to relish in the good, sometimes you have to taste bitterness to remind yourself of what is sweet, other times you must listen to the public to know that they are wrong, and sometimes you have to stop trying to think of puns and say that Public deserves this display of affection. |
| Last Updated ( Tuesday, 31 January 2012 11:32 ) |
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Written by Administrator
Thursday, 01 December 2011 11:41 |
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| "The Hidden Beauty” of National Theatre |
| On a large stage at the National Theatre in Belgrade, 21st November, the first photomonograph under the title “The Hidden Beauty”, by Dina Johnsen, was promoted. The organizers of the project are the National Theatre and Telenor Foundation
 The photo-monograph was presented along with performances by Ashen Ataljanc, Milan Rus and Dejan Kolarova in the presence of many great actors, ballet artist, opera singers and distinguished guests.
The author, Dina Johnsen, is also a photographer and an associate member of the Board of Directors of the Telenor Foundation. Her monograph was presented to the theatre, hoping to contribute to
the improvement and enrichment of cultural creativity in Serbia. The monograph includes 140 pages and represents a unique presentation of the Theatre and the artists who have left their mark on the life of one of the most important cultural and art institutions in Serbia.
“The project ‘Hidden Beauty’ has given me great joy and I am grateful for the opportunity to work on such precious material. It has provided a unique opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes of theatrical life.” said Dina Johnsen.
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Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 02 November 2011 09:29 |
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| Winner Winner Any Dinner |
|  Sceptical. Yes, that is the right word for what I expected from a restaurant in a casino. If I was reviewing a restaurant in Las Vegas I would be less so, but one in the Balkans... I was sceptical to say the least. On reflection, my doubts were completely unfounded. The following review is in no way influenced my Rain Man like abilities at the blackjack tables in the casino after my meal
Grand Casino has built a reputation on high quality. There is no better way in the region to lose considerable amounts of money, unless you are a naturally gifted money making machine like myself, in such pleasant surroundings. Arriving at the restaurant, situated in New Belgrade at Hotel Jugoslavia, my date, Rakel, and I were slightly disappointed. I would be lying if I said I was a regular casino goer, but I have seen enough films and TV se-ries to know that there should be a door attendant to greet you. However, this slight oversight by Grand Casino was the only error that particularly annoyed me.
I am now a member of casino. Only certain eateries in the casino require one to be a member, but both my date and I knew that she was planning to lose a considerable amount of her trust fund and thus it wasn’t a major hassle to go through the form and photograph process. For some strange reason, or maybe because I have fantasies of being James Bond, I liked the security aspect of it all. I like that it makes you feel apart of something exclusive, although anyone who looks relatively decent and is over-18 can become a member of the casino.
What everyone cannot do on the other hand is eat at Diva restaurant. Diva, refurbished in October, is the best restaurant in the casino and, in my opinion, by some distance. Although this comparison is exclusively based on theway it looks. A suspended ceiling, warm col-ours and the unorthodox layout are very elegantly done and came as a real surprise. I had been expecting something more vulgar, but the design team have got the decor spot on. Given the choice of sitting on the comfortable looking sofas or at a table, we chose the latter option. I find it slightly odd that you would want to dine sat on a sofa – I am not eating at home – but I do understand that for a snack and a cocktail or two it makes sense. The gold and frosted glass tabletop could look gaudy in a different setting, but at Diva, being in a casino after all, it looked the part. As did the cuttlery and everything else on the table, particularly my date. Correction, plate. At around 9.30 pm you would expect a restaurant to be well occupied. Diva was not. At 10.00 pm though, it was close to bursting point. The swing music that had welcomed us was replaced by a, thankfully, good live band. Every chair, and sofa, was filled.
 For an aperitif, we had a glass of delicious sparkling wine, brought to us by what turned out to be our exceptional waiter for the evening. Relaxed and mightily surprised by the cool atmosphere, we settled in to look over the curious menu. Curious is not meant in a negative context, rather it is meant as a compliment. There is a mix of cuisine from across the world at Diva, and the only trouble I had was in deciding what to eat. There is the choice of tapas, pasta, meats and salads. Whilst not overly extensive, the menu is well thought out and the dishes compliment each other nicely.
As anyone who is a regular reader of CorD will know, I am stickler for presentation. Luckily for my nerves, and my dates ears, the presentation of the meal was spot on. To start I chose two tapas dishes and Rakel the ravioli. My first tapas dish was
the filet mignon with herbed butter. To say it was “well done” would be confusingly accurate. The fine strips of high quality tenderloin were slightly rare and perfectly tender. The second of my two dishes were the Peking duck rolls. I have had a craving for duck for the last few months and I was treated to one of the best examples I have ever eaten. Generally, I do not like the plum sauce that accompanies this dish, however chef Jovica Neskovic has nailed it. Sticky but un-glue like, a lovely colour and sweet without being overpowering, I am sure he has some Chinese relatives in his family tree. My date had the ravioli stuffed with prawns in lobster sauce. The two large squares of filled pasta were beautifully presented (all the dishes arrived on separate plates to the two preset on the table) and tasted divine with finely chopped prawns and just the right amount of sauce.
My initial starvation now somewhat subdued, we waited patiently for the mains. The live band now in full swing, on the permanent stage, and the bald female singer doing her own take on the classics, we were getting in the right mood to hit
the casino floor. But not before I ate the beefsteak with glazed vegetables, croutons and a chicken spread, and my date her shrimp with ouzo and feta cheese. I like my steak medium to well done, however I am yet to encounter a chef that understands that this means I do not want it more rare done than well done. Note to chefs: you do know best, but I know what I want. Alas, I still have not come across the chef that will fulfil this wildest of requests, but I must admit that I was extremely happy with the circular mound of, slightly undercooked, beef. The accompanying vegetables were very small and if I had the choice I would have added a few more to the plate. All that being said, it does not take away from the first-rate cooking and texture of the beef. Rakels dish was equally, if not better prepared. The very large shrimps on top of the vivid orangey red sauce looked marvellous and tasted even better. This time I had abso-lutely no criticisms and
neither did she. It can be very disappointing to order shrimp and then what gets served looks more like a cashew nut swimming in an olympic sized pool. This is not the case at Diva. To drink with the meal we both had a glass of white
wine, her the chardon-nay, me the sauvignon blanc. Clearly when I ordered the wine, I forgot I was having the steak, (please ignore this ama-teurish oversight on my part). Despite my stupidity, my selection was a good one. Serbian wines can be a bit hit and miss, hence the decision to go French, but my dates chardonnay was one of the better Serbian wines I have tried.
 Diva is a restaurant that I would put up there with the best Belgrade has to offer. Not only is the food wonderful, the atmosphere fantastic and the service brilliant, there is also the chance to win back the money you have paid for a great meal.
The prices at Diva are realistic for what is on offer (mains are all around the 1700 rsd mark) so you don’t need to be a high roller to eat there. What you also definitely don’t need is luck. Diva is probably the only place inside Grand Casino that is anything but a gamble. ■
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Written by Administrator
Friday, 04 March 2011 12:51 |
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| Fashionista Files |
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www.sarabrajovic.com is one of the coolest blogs and online magazines ‘out there’ today. It was launched on 1st February 2011 and receives over 200 hits daily from all around the word. The site gives fashion insider’s tips on style and travel as well as advice on how to create cool outfits for different occasions. WARNING - big budgets apply! Make sure you check out the section covering lesser-known hip designers and their collections and also the section on the more established fashion houses and their brand identities. If you are planning your next business trip to either New York or London be sure to take a look at ‘travel’ where you’ll find reviews of a selection of the hottest, ‘up to the minute’ restaurants. If it’s chic and hip you are after, you’ll find it here. The creator of this blog is socialite and model Sara Brajovic, who grew up in the fashion and art hotbeds of Paris, Geneva, London and New York whilst studying, modelling and acting. She’s been invited to the world’s most salubrious events and parties and counts international and influential people, socialites, actors, musicians and aristocrats amongst her friends. Sara will share her vast experience in fashion and style and will offer lifestyle tips that will inspire discerning women who appreciate what’s chic and who insist on being one step ahead of the crowd. Russian Tatler magazine, which focuses on the lives of the glamorous and all things ‘lifestyle’, recently ran a story about Sara’s unique style. So check it out ... and be in with the cool crowd. |
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Written by Administrator
Friday, 04 March 2011 12:49 |
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| Culinaria Fine Food |
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Organisers of (www.zizgin.rs) and the Agribusiness project (www.agrobiznis.net) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) - held a working breakfast as part of the international promotion of the fair. The concept of the fair, open exclusively to professional visitors, and which will be held for the second time from September 28th-30th in Belgrade, inspired a high level of interest in those who attended the breakfast.
“Judging by the interest the fair caused last year, I feel that it is safe to say that the Culinaria Fine Food Fair is on track to becoming the largest and the most prestigious event for the food industry in the region,” Susan Fritz, director of USAID to Serbia, pointed out. |
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Written by Administrator
Friday, 04 March 2011 12:47 |
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| Genetic Lab Project |
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Rudnap Group (www.rudnap.com) has signed a contract with GAK ‘Narodni Front’ (www.gakfront.org) accepting the donation of funds which will contribute to the realisation of the ‘Genetic Lab’ project at GAK. The funds donated will be used for building extensions, reconstruction and for equipping the clinic, transforming it into an extremely modern laboratory. The contract was signed by Aleksandar Skulić, General Director of Rudnap Group, and Professor Dušan Stanojević, the Director of the Obstetrics and Gynaecology Clinic ‘Narodni Front’. “We feel that laboratories like this are extremely important for the birth of healthy generations of our population which are the future of this country. Our company perceives social responsibility as an opportunity to contribute to improving the lives of members of the community, of our employees, their families, and our activities are mostly aimed at young people,” Mr. Skulić said. |
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Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 01 February 2011 20:43 |
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| The traditional post New Year’s party |
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The traditional post New Year’s party at the Serbian Media Association has never been as well patronised as this year’s. Over a hundred leaders and distinguished guests from the media, diplomatic, economic and political spheres, spent more than two hours in a convivial and relaxed atmosphere.
CorD, as one of the founders of the Association, is able to convey but a small part of the atmosphere of the evening on this page.
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Written by Administrator
Wednesday, 22 December 2010 10:09 |
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| EFG Scholarships |
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For the fifth year in a row, Eurobank EFG granted scholarships worth 1,000 euros each to the best students of state universities in Serbia. The group of the 50 best students received their scholarships from Božidar Djelic, the Deputy Prime Minister, Žarko Obradovic, the Minister of Education, and Philippos Karamanolis, President of the Executive Board of Eurobank EFG. The ceremony was held in the hall of the Serbian Academy of Science and Arts, in the presence of various government officials, representatives of the diplomatic corps, members of the NGO sector, academics and media representatives. |
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Written by Administrator
Thursday, 02 December 2010 21:01 |
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| Italian film festival |
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Italian film festival that was sponsored by the Embassy of Italy and opened on the 22nd of November at the Yugoslav Film Archive. |
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Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 02 November 2010 23:21 |
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| Mercedes Magazine Serbia |
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On September 30th in the famous Belgrade club ‘Cinema’, ‘Mercedes-Benz celebrated the release of the first issue of ‘Mercedesmagazine’. In attendance were numerous visitors, public figures and media, and the magazine which is available in most of the countries where ‘Daimler AG’ does business, was presented. |
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Written by Administrator
Tuesday, 02 November 2010 23:20 |
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| Celebrating originality |
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At an impressive party on October 21st at the Cultural Centre ‘Grad’, Adidas promoted its new collection for fall/winter 2010. On the occasion, the company ran an ‘Originals’ competition, and the winner of the competition for the most original Adidas style, Katarina Veljković, won a white Vespa. Members of the jury were the editors of famous lifestyle magazines: Nataša Davidov (Cosmopolitan), Sonja Kovacs (Elle), Beba Dragić (Story), Olivera Krajnović (Joy) and Daško Milinović (CKM). |
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Mercedes-Benz Serbia and Montenegro doo organized on Friday, 9th September at Belgrade’s “Sound” club - smart-Party for fans of the world’s smallest two-seater, promoting the most attractive and least urban vehicles. The organizer known for its unusual events, Mercedes-Benz S & M Company made an effort to provide its visitors yet another interesting evening. Among the invitees were clients of the popular vehicles and guests from public life.
Lafarge BFC, a leader in the manufacture of cement and a leading supplier to the construction industry in Serbia, celebrated the 172nd birthday of the factory on the 8th of September. After nine years of successful cooperation with minority shareholders, the Lafarge cement plant in Beocin has become wholly owned.“We have been present in the Serbian market for almost a decade, during which time we continuously invest in the development of our business by relying on the long tradition of the factory, bringing innovation and successfully overcoming all the challenges,” said Costin Borc, CEO of Lafarge BFC.
On the 21st September, the Knjaz Milos Company celebrated the 200 year anniversary of the mineral water Knjaz Milos.The “Privrednik” club has been specially decorated for the occasion and guests were addressed by Jeff Eugene, President of Investment Company "Salford", Milos Bulgarian, President of the Serbian Chamber of Commerce, Dusan Puača President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce Sumadija & Morava and Mihailo Jankovic, CEO of Knjaz Milos.
