December 11, 2021 – Head chef Ana Grgić is delighting crowds - the Esplanade Hotel's first street food menu is a knockout success. The popular Fuliranje section of Zagreb Advent is the capital's culinary star in 2021. Find it at its new home on the impressive Esplanade terrace.

© Sandro Sklepić

That familiar feel of Advent in Zagreb has returned. The strong scents of spiced, cooked wine and sausages on the grill. Music that makes you want to hang around and mingle. By day and by night, city residents and visitors alike are drawn to this terrace.

© Esplanade Hotel

After dark, the scene is spectacular, with seasonal lights adding to the atmosphere. But, most impressive of all is the backdrop of the Esplanade Hotel. It is their terrace that is hosting the popular Fuliranje section of Zagreb Advent in 2021. And it is the Esplanade's head chef, Ana Grgić, who has delivered one of this Christmas's best culinary highlights.

Chef Ana Grgić presents the Esplanade Hotel's first street food menu © Sandro Sklepić

”The idea was to make it totally different to what we already have inside the hotel on our menus,” says Ana when she sits down with Total Croatia News to introduce the Esplanade Hotel's first street food menu. “The food needs to be a little more simple, adapted to this kind of event. But, at the same time, we know that many people come to Fuliranje who are not necessarily so well acquainted with the Esplanade Hotel. So, the menu also needed to represent the hotel, its standards and offer an introduction.”

Part of the Esplanade Hotel's first street food menu © Marc Rowlands

”I know that the usual kind of street food is burgers, wraps and sausage sandwiches. But, I wanted to show that this kind of food can also be street food. So far, it's been incredibly popular. In particular, the croquettes and the beef cheeks.”

Esplanade Hotel's First Street Food Menu

Slow-cooked beef cheeks, a big hit of the Esplanade Hotel's first street food menu © Marc Rowlands

”The beef cheeks are first marinated for 12 hours in red wine and vegetables. Afterwards, they are removed and seared on each side, then cooked slowly inside the replenished marinade for 5 hours. In the first 5 or 6 days since we opened, we already went through 150 kilos of beef cheeks. I bought everything they have at Dolac (Zagreb central market). Now, we have to look a bit further for what we need.”

The famous strukli of the Esplanade (this is the restaurant presentation - it's served more casually out on the terrace) © Esplanade Hotel

”We sold maybe 1000 strukli up until now. After just 3 days we'd sold 450 portions of our croquettes. There are 8 croquettes in each portion. So, that's quite a lot. Inside there is Dalmatian prosciutto and Pag island cheese. They take quite a long time to prepare at this standard. Maybe next time I should just do burgers!”

If you only eat one thing at Fuliranje 2021, you simply must try the croquettes (left) from the Esplanade Hotel's first street food menu © Marc Rowlands

”We have a traditional Quiche Lorraine made with very good quality Croatian bacon (slanina). The bakalar (salt cod) is always very popular. It's a seasonal favourite here at Christmastime. On the Fuliranje terrace, we have a traditional white one and also a red one made with tomatoes. We serve it with our own focaccia, made with fresh herbs and Croatian olive oil. But, we have a special offer of bakalar in Le Bistro too – a bakalar pâté, a ravioli with bakalar, sun-dried tomatoes, broad bean and a little chilli and also a risotto.”

Chef Ana Grgić at the Esplanade Hotel Zagreb

Ana Grgić © Esplanade Hotel

2022 marks a milestone in the career of chef Ana Grgić. In spring, she will celebrate 10 years as Executive Chef at the Esplanade Hotel Zagreb. Today, Ana is well known to food fans all over Croatia, having appeared as a celebrated authority on Croatian TV's version of Masterchef. But, her remarkable story has rarely been written in English.

Ana was born in Brčko, which is today within Bosnia and Hercegovina. But, when war broke out, both Ana and her sister were quickly evacuated. After six months in Austria, they were returned to Croatia. The girls ended up staying with a relative in Velika Gorica, where Ana still lives today.

While waiting for their mother to join them in Croatia, Ana and her sister taught themselves how to cook. By the time Ana left school at 16, she had decided that cooking was what she wanted to do. However, with no experience, she struggled to find an opportunity. Eventually, she persuaded the head chef at the Esplanade Hotel to allow her to volunteer in their kitchens.

“I decided it was better to volunteer at a top hotel than to sit at home doing nothing,” says Ana. “After six months, they offered me a job.”

© Esplanade Hotel

In the time she has been at the Esplanade Hotel, Ana Grgić has worked her way up every step of the ladder. She now holds the title of Executive Chef (Head Chef) for the entire culinary operations at the Esplanade. In detail, she personally designs menus for the hotel bar, hotel banquets for events like gala dinners and weddings, their considerable outside catering operation and for room service. Additionally, she designs the menus for each of the hotel's two restaurants.

© Esplanade Hotel

Le Bistro offers traditional Croatian food and ingredients, with an emphasis on French cooking techniques and a distinctly seasonal menu. Zinfandel's restaurant is one of the best fine dining experiences in Croatia, with a menu that changes four times a year reflecting the different seasons.

During her career at the Esplanade, Ana has prepared meals for politicians such as US President Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, Italian President Napolitano, Austrian President Fischer, celebrities like actor Tim Roth, sportsmen Pep Guardiola, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo and entertainers like Shakira, Sade, Sting, José Carreras, Bob Geldof and Robbie Williams.

Fuliranje at the Esplanade Hotel for Zagreb Advent 2021

© Sandro Sklepić

For enthusiasts of Zagreb Advent, local media reviews of the 2021 manifestation have been painful to read. The event has received an absolute mauling in the press. With the epidemiological situation remaining difficult to predict, on paper it made sense to plan and offer a reduced Advent. But, in a city used to being celebrated as Europe's Best Christmas Market, what's been delivered has seemingly left many disappointed. While an impressive visual theatre can be found in Upper Town and Zrinjevac, critics claim few want to hang around. And they've bemoaned an absence of quality food options.

Fuliranje 2021, at night © Marc Rowlands

These criticisms have been answered in the last week with the opening of Fuliranje at the Esplanade. One of the best-established sections of Zagreb Advent, in previous years Fuliranje was on Strossmayer Square. It could always be counted on for a good atmosphere, decent music and delicious food. This latest incarnation at the Esplanade Hotel is no exception.

From the hotel. The grandiose terrace that holds Fuliranje is traditionally known as the Oleander Terrace. It overlooks the park and fountain in Ante Starčević square, part of a U-shaped stretch of Zagreb city centre parks known as Lenuzzi’s Horseshoe © Sandro Sklepić

In addition to the Esplanade Hotel's first street food menu, you'll find many tempting choices waiting to tantalize your tastebuds. Among them, chef Mate Janković offers seasonal handheld favourites at Sausage Institut. Ivan Pažanin's Chef’s Burgers cover the other classic choice. Good Kut is a collaboration between two Zagreb institutions – Good Food and Kut and, like newcomer Beg’s Plant Based Butchery and Deli, they offer healthy options with vivid flavours. But there are many others too.

Fuliranje at the Esplanade Hotel is open every day from 11am to 11pm until 1st January 2022.

Fuliranje at the Esplanade Hotel © Sandro Sklepić

You can find out more about what's happening there day-by-day here. For more coverage of Zagreb Advent be sure to see Total Croatia News pages here.

September 25, 2021 - A bilateral meeting between Slovenian and Croatian business people was held at the Hotel Esplanade in Zagreb as part of the Lifestyle CHECK IN brand.

The beauties of Slovenia are widely known. From Lakes Bled and Bohinj, Triglav, cities of Ljubljana and Maribor to Kranjska Gora and the Julian Alps, this green country is located in southern Central Europe, offers a wide range of opportunities for a quality vacation, but also for a comfortable life, work, and education. This, as well as the many other qualities of this country, through numerous examples and with guests from economic and diplomatic life, was discussed by the participants of the "Beauty of Slovenia" event, held at the Hotel Esplanade in Zagreb.

During the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the European Union to further strengthen the traditionally intensive and successful economic cooperation and cultural exchange between Croatia and Slovenia, the event brought together numerous Croatian and Slovenian business people from various sectors. Thus, it was an opportunity for even better mutual acquaintance, exchange of experiences, but also to establish concrete business relations.

The event was attended by Mr. Bernard Šrajner, Counselor for Economy at the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Zagreb, who emphasized the excellent connection between the two neighboring countries on many levels. "The global health crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic may have slowed us down for a while, but it has not and will not stop us from deepening our economic and other ties between Zagreb and Ljubljana," he said.

Besides him, the diplomatic delegation also included the Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Croatia, HE E. Constantin - Mihail Grigorie, Honorary Consul of Romania in Croatia Mr. Stjepan Roglić, Mr. Ilario Schietto First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Italy in Croatia and Attaché for Trade Promotion at the Institute of Foreign Trade, Ms. Sandra di Carlo.

Mr. Joze Tomaš, President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce - Split County Chamber, also pointed out the positive results from the cooperation between the two countries' chambers of commerce. He emphasized that this event, organized by the international platform Lifestyle CHECK IN based in Split, is an additional input to the excellent cooperation between Croatia and Slovenia. "This project brings foreign entrepreneurs closer and presents to them the most valuable thing we have in Croatia - our unique lifestyle in a unique natural environment. I believe that the citizens of Slovenia, as well as many other international guests, will recognize the off-season potential of our country as a place for professional work and development, thanks to the benefits that Croatia offers to the growing business category - digital nomads. Working from some of the Croatian locations by the sea, their lives will be more pleasant thanks to the mild and pleasant climate and significantly reduced stress," added Joze Tomaš.

The artistic part of the program included the performance of the renowned jazz singer Jadranka Juras, and numerous Croatian and Slovenian artists and designers were presented, such as the sculptor Hrvoje Dumančić with his recognizable and unique horse sculptures and the painter and graphic artist Leon Zakrajšek with his works.

The colours of fashion design were 'defended' by the designers Ivana Jurić and Draž Knitwear who on this occasion showed some of their models, adorned by beautiful jewelry by world-famous Slovenian designer Olga Košica. The event was moderated by the Croatian presenter with a Slovenian address, Ivana Šundov, who briefly presented numerous business people from Croatia, Slovenia, but also Austria and Germany, among which: Quintessentially – global luxury concierge lifestyle club, SAMSIC – European leader in facility management and ORBICO – leading Croatian distributor of numerous high-quality brands. 

Lifestyle CHECK IN is one in a series of events aimed at bringing together business and diplomacy. “Before this event, with all the organizational challenges brought by the pandemic, we held the events with Austria Romania as partner countries. The ones to follow soon will focus on other European countries and their numerous beauties," announced Monica Ioanițescu, an entrepreneur based in Split and founder of the Lifestyle CHECK IN platform.

For more, follow our lifestyle section.

March 7, 2020 - The Esplanade Zagreb Hotel hosted a gala dinner to present the third edition of the prestigious gastronomic guide Gault & Millau Croatia.

HRTurizam reports that this event brought together a large number of Croatian chefs, top professionals, and gastronomy enthusiasts. The highlight of the evening was the prestigious culinary trophies by which Gault & MillauCroatia awards to the best chefs whose work recognizes the guide's motto - "Luxury is in the quality, not in the price."

The Gault & Millau Croatia 2020 gastronomic guide is the most comprehensive to date, featuring 202 restaurants, 82 POP restaurants, 101 wines, and 20 hotels.

"Gault & Millau is one of the two most prestigious international gastronomic guides and represents the Croatian gastronomic scene on the international stage, making Croatia a desirable food & wine destination," said Ingrid Badurina Danielsson, Director of Gault & Millau Croatia.

The 'Chef of the Year' by choice of Gault & Millau Croatia 2020 is Danijel Đekić of Monte restaurant in Rovinj.

Sandra and Dane Tahirović from Zora Bila in Split and Robert Benzia from Ganeum in Lovran won the 'Grand Chef of Tomorrow 2020' trophy. The 'Chef of Traditional Cuisine 2020' trophy was won by Silvija Horak from Terbotz in Štrigova and Tvrtko Šakota from Nav in Zagreb. The 'Young Talent 2020' trophy was won by Floriana Ruzic of the San Rocco restaurant in Brtonigla and Matija Jagic of the Brokenships Bistro in Zagreb. Dubrovnik Buffet Kamenica was awarded the 'Best POP 2020' trophy.

This year also featured a new trophy ‘Šef sale 2020’, which was won by Dragutin Majsak from Vinodol in Zagreb. One of the best ambassadors of Croatian pastry, Dragica Lukin of Villa Soši in Umag, received special recognition for her achievements in promoting Croatian gastronomy and pastry. 360 from Dubrovnik, Monte from Rovinj, Laganini from Palmižana and Sibenik Pelegrini were named the best restaurants.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page. 

December 20, 2018 - For a traditional Christmas lunch at Zagreb and perhaps Croatia’s best hotel, the Esplanade, chef Ana Grgić has prepared a feast to remember for a lifetime. 

Among media representatives, this Christmas lunch is particularly important, and the obligations of all journalists are always reorganized in a way to ensure their attendance. After all, the Zinfandel restaurant at the Esplanade is known for its chic ambiance, sophisticated fine dining and charming, professional service, and their always ambitious but not overly pretentious menu reaffirms their stellar position on the gourmet map.

This time, around sixty journalists and influencers from all important Croatian media, and the “who’s who” of the domestic media scene, followed the likable Ana Grgić who again demonstrated her majesty, creativity, skill, innovation, and virtuosity. 

Ana once again proved that she was not accidentally proclaimed 2018’s Great Chef of Tomorrow for the Gault & Millau guide and honored with exclusive membership in the company of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Everyone who knows her work knows that even without these titles Ana Grgić merely is an irresistible personality and a superb chef that, with her recognizable expression to guests, unmistakably brings an explosion of fantastic flavors. Her strong, innovative concepts, specific creative expression, unique ingredients, artistic plating, and emphasis on original flavors are also the features of Zinfandel's new menu.

The menu contains irresistible appealing, modern and accurately shaped interpretations of traditional dishes and an exciting combination of winter food such as čvarci, cabbage, chestnut, kayak, sour cream and kimchi. The media was first served the pearls of Ana's winter menu: a delicate block of Pag cheese with a marmalade of red cabbage, pearls of vinegar and čvarci,; pheasant rillette, hazelnut foam, porcini mushroom tuile, roasted hazelnuts; cuttlefish, Jerusalem artichoke, cuttlefish ink powder, capers leaf; a pork fillet with a brown butter bearnaise - and for dessert, a crunchy chocolate with mascarpone, almond and citrus fruit biscuits. In the end, Brie cheese arrived with roasted almonds and honey. 

Along with these delicacies, you can find much more on Zinfandel's menu, which you can see in its entirety here. 

Flambé - a meal prepared at the table in flames, is more and more popular among guests, and at Zinfandel, you can experience it with a veal fillet with pickled mustard, baby carrot cream, and Port wine; foie gras in orange and cognac sauce, apple chutney, brioche; red shrimps, sun-dried tomatoes, Pernod Ricard; or crêpes Suzette in orange sauce, and vanilla ice cream. 

For all those who want to experience these perfect tastes and unbeatable dining experience, Ana has agreed on a carefully selected tasting menu of four, five and six-course meals. 

Anyone who is gluten-free can also visit Zinfandel, which offers a selection of three and four courses of gluten-free meals certified by the first Bosk gluten-free certificate in Croatia. 

Ana, with Esplanade's team of top pastry cooks, also prepares a selection of excellent desserts that perfectly round off every gourmet story. A brownie of dark chocolate with peanut and vanilla; marinated pears with lemon biscuit and homemade cinnamon ice cream; carrots with sour cream and pineapple; and grissini with flambé kumquats are just some.

An unforgettable gourmet experience is only complete with a list of top quality wines and champagnes from Croatia and the world, and the charming sommelier Ivan Šneler will be delighted to recommend the right wines to match the selected dishes for your Zinfandel visit. 

To make ordering as easy as possible, all dishes are marked with special gluten-free, vegetarian or halal labels. Without exaggeration, Ana has launched this winter's most creative menu.

All photos from Esplanade archive. 

One of the most luxurious Zagreb hotels, Esplanade Hotel Zagreb, has had a 40% increase in demand over the past six months, poslovni.hr reports

Latest research confirms gluten is one of the most common allergens with an estimated European population of 70 million people who are sensitive or intolerant to gluten, 190 million who avoid wheat and gluten and 11 million suffering from Celiac disease

Along with salt and sugar, gluten in food has become an equally important enemy. Aware of the rising number of those who are affected by it, more and more restaurants offer food without the named protein. The Esplanade hotel restaurant in Zagreb has become the first standardized gluten-free restaurant

Beginning tomorrow, 25 November, an international festival of wine and culinary art will be held at one of the most beautiful locations in Zagreb, the Hotel Esplanade.