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Le Bistro Esplanade

Esplanade Zagreb

New and Exciting Gourmet Summer Sensations

Healthy, fun, creative, light, and summery – let the selection of flavours from famous Chef Ana Grgić Tomić‘s new menu win you over 
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Zucchini blossoms filled with cream of ricotta and prawns, tartare of salted sea bass, goose liver terrine with strawberry jam, shrimp tails on young pea and mint cream, roasted octopus with asparagus, flambéed nectarines with basil ice cream – these are just some of the enticing summer dishes at Le Bistro 

This summer, look for refreshment in the natural shade of the picturesque terrace of the iconic Esplanade Le Bistro, in the heart of Zagreb. Indulge in the charming atmosphere, professional service led by Restaurant Manager Ivan Trbušić, a selection of chilled wines and sparkling wines, and treat yourself to a dose of French chic. Inspired by summer and fresh local ingredients, famous Chef Ana Grgić Tomić brings a new creative à la carte menu which will draw you in with its seductive colours, harmony of textures, and irresistible combinations.

“I am happy to once again be working with my colleagues and creating new flavours. Summer is my favourite time to design a menu, because it brings with it an abundance of fresh and delicious ingredients. As usual, I gave preference to locally grown and seasonal ingredients, as well as herbs. For example, the new menu brings aromatic Istrian truffles, Adriatic sea scorpion fish, while the cottage and goat cheese come from a local family farm, and the nettles are from nearby forests. I tried to round off almost every dish with fragrant and fresh herbs from our hotel garden. In addition, in creating the menu, I made sure that the ingredients were healthy and rich in nutrients. In order for the body, and health in general, to function well, a proper, balanced, and quality diet rich in vitamins, minerals, fibre, and antioxidants is necessary. I use very little fat, work with extra virgin Istrian olive oil, and almost the entire menu is based around fresh and quality vegetables, fish and seafood, meat, and seasonal fruits. I appreciate the authentic taste of the locally grown, I try to support small producers, while also thinking about environmental sustainability. And given the short seasonality of certain foods, slight modifications to the menu during the summer are also planned. I have adapted the dishes to the upcoming hot days, when we need fewer calories and more refreshing and exciting combinations,” said the Head Chef of the Esplanade’s kitchens Ana Grgić Tomić.

So let Ana’s appealing dishes – like shrimp tails on young pea and mint cream with cucumbers marinated in lime juice and olive oil – delight you, and be sure to try the raviolo with turkey confit in bone and maple syrup sauce, as well as the salted sea bass tartare with basil aioli, tomato juice, and olive oil. For your main course, choose roasted octopus with asparagus, served with creamy potatoes with wild garlic and lemon, red scorpion fish in bisque with saffron, served with white polenta with olives and basil, or a delicious lamb fillet with a shallot ragout and artichokes in rosemary sauce. Fans of French cuisine will come into their own as the menu also brings some tried and tested specialties like foie gras terrine, this time with strawberry and leaf celery jam, French onion soup, and crème brûlée of elderberry and vanilla with fresh raspberries. In addition, the Esplanade’s team of pastry chefs, led by Mirjana Špoljar, has created irresistible desserts tinged with the magical summer flavours of coconut, nectarine, strawberry, raspberry, pine nut, vanilla, and mint, which you will hardly be able to resist.

In its new à la carte offer, Le Bistro is still offering its verifiably good collection of indispensable classics such as steak tartare, Caesar salad, and the famous Wiener Schnitzel with creamy potatoes. In addition, this iconic Zagreb bistro is known for its legendary oven-crisped Esplanade štrukli, which have been tasted by some of the most famous names from the world showbiz scene over the past years. Therefore, be sure to stop by and indulge in this divine dish, which also comes in a gluten-free version, and enjoy the ultimate comfort food feeling. For daily fresh dishes chosen by the Chef, we recommend the Daily Menu, which consists of three courses and includes a glass of premium Krauthaker wine, and excellent coffee or tea for only HRK 185. Le Bistro also offers an enticing selection of breakfast dishes, including crispy toast with fine avocado cream, poached egg and fried bacon, vegetable omelette, the best eggs Benedict in town, served on a brioche with butter, freshly squeezed juice, French toast with honey and orange jam, and delicious pancakes with berries and maple syrup – for the perfect start to the day.

For those with certain dietary preferences, allergies, or an intolerance to any of the ingredients, the menu includes specially marked dishes that should not contain gluten, those suitable for a vegetarian diet, as well as dishes according to halal standards. In addition, Le Bistro is probably the first restaurant in town which has, for years, offered the delicious traditional oven-crisped štrukli made with gluten-free flour.

Recognisable for its relaxed ambience and charming service, Le Bistro is once again becoming a place where life’s small pleasures meet innovative flavours. A relaxed atmosphere, a young and charming team of chefs and waiters, a refined vibe, and the liveliness of the shaded terrace, with just a touch of street theatre, make Le Bistro a trendy gourmet destination without equal, offering real refreshment in the coming summer days and your ideal escape from everyday life.

Le Bistro is open every day from 9 am to 11 pm. You can book a table via telephone (01 4566 6119) or email at [email protected]www.lebistro.hr

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About Executive Chef Ana Grgić Tomić 
This young but already experienced executive chef has been running the Zinfandel’s Restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Croatia, as well as the charming French restaurant Le Bistro and Esplanade Catering, for more than nine years. Ana pursues the tradition of the Esplanade Hotel’s cuisine while following world-class culinary trends. Her creative and imaginative menus have impressed many guests and celebrities in the past years, as well as members of royal families, such as the Swedish King and Queen, the Japanese Prince and Princess, the Prince of Saudi Arabia, the royal couple from Denmark, and many others who did not remain indifferent to Ana’s ingenuity in preparing dishes. Ana has received a number of accolades for her personality, excellence, and style of cooking. Prestigious publications have nominated her for Woman of the Year and Person of the Year, and the renowned Guida Gallo guide included her risotto among the 101 best risottos in the world in 2013 and 2016. Ana’s style of preparing dishes and her personality led her to participate in the popular TV cooking programme Celebrity MasterChef as a jury member. In addition, Ana proudly bears the title of ambassador for the Fish Forward Project in Croatia within the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) initiative, setting an example for raising consumer awareness of the global environmental and social consequences of the consumption of fishery products. The Gault&Millau guide awarded Ana the title of Great Chef of Tomorrow, specially emphasising her respect for the seasonality and quality of ingredients, as well as consistent and carefully refined dishes. Her culinary virtuosity and creativity have been recognised by the gourmet association Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, which awarded Ana the prestigious title of Chef Rôtisseur.

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Contact:
Sanda Sokol, PR & Marketing Manager – T. +385.1.4566.036, M. +385.91.4766.647, E. [email protected]
Andrea Ožegović, PR & Marketing Coordinator – T. +385.1.4563.888, M. +385.91.4766.648, E. [email protected]

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