Due to various other projects like Total Hvar and Total Croatia News, I have not spent much time in Split this summer, which is a shame as it is a city I am coming to appreciate more and more since I started this website. I had a very productive day yesterday, however, filled with meetings, but also with the opportunity to wander through the centre, picking up the vibe of the city.

I was amazed at how much change there had been in such a short space of time. The palace is such a vibrant place, with so many businesses functioning. New ideas, new concepts, some which last, many which don't, it really is hard to keep up with all the change and new businesses opening in the centre.  

I walked past Zinfandel, which was enjoying a typically brisk lunchtime trade, and I smiled as a looked inside and nodded to the waiter inside. Despite its relatively short life, Zinfandel has managed to become one of the most popular and most established hangouts in the centre, offering a mix of Dalmatian tradition and a modern twist with great customer service and an excellent wine list. For many, it is the first introduction to the world of Croatian wine, and the knowledgeable staff do a great job in educating tourists and new arrivals.  

As I walked on, I remembered that Zinfandel did not exist when we started Total Split (which itself is less than three years old), and Mila enthusiastically blogged about the latest addition to the Split gourmet scene in May 2013.  But it really felt part of the furniture despite its youth. As other establishments opened later and shut later, Zinfandel quietly set about its business, becoming a popular local expat hangout and the most frequent location for the Expats in Split gatherings. 

Faithful to the wine roots of the region from its iconic Zinfandel name to the excellent range of local wines on offer, the wine bar/restaurant has never been afraid to experiment with Dalmatian cuisine and a modern twist, and the results from a combination of fresh organic ingredients from the Zinfandel garden, combined with some exciting modern creations from the kitchen has ensured that Zinfandel has always been an exciting place to eat, and its quality is reflected in the fact that it stands proud in the current top ten on TripAdvisor's best restaurants in Split. No mean feat in such a competitive market.  

The season is still busy in mid-September, but soon thoughts will turn to winter and many restaurants in the centre will close for a few months. Not Zinfandel. Walking through the palace late at night last December, it was one of the few places open on a dark and wet evening before Christmas.

And so it will be this year too, continuing its innovative menu and great wine selection. Added to that of course has been the regular live music, something which will continue into the winter months.  

And perhaps there was the answer to my question as to why Zinfandel is part of the furniture - it is one of the few restaurants in the centre which is open all year, and which puts plenty of energy into events and keeping the quieter winter months more alive.

A worthy addition to the Split gastro scene, and one which will be around for many years to come. Follow Zinfandel on Facebook.