July 28, 2018 - Natural Hvar products combined with sensational views - the dining options are getting more divine. Choose from your sunset view of the islands of Vis or Solta with these two new blockbusters.
When Total Hvar was in its prime, life was good. I knew the owners of most of the best restaurants on the island, and they were usually pleased to see me. I would be lying if I said I didn't eat rather well.
The Total Project has moved on a lot in the last 18 months since I left the island, but it is always fun to come back to catch up with the few friends I have here and to see how the island is evolving.
Although I may not be as slim as I once was, it is very rare these days that I eat more than once a day (I find the food interferes with the cold ones) and so Thursday this was very much as an exception, with lunch AND dinner.
An exceptional exception, as I got to try two new places, both of which blew me away - the views, the food, the service.
The tiny village of Zarace on the new road from Hvar Town to Stari Grad has long been a secret getaway for those who want to be close to Hvar Town, but with tranquility. There are a couple of restaurants there, which have always been quite rustic with great seafood, and one of them has changed for season 2018.
It is still quite rustic in approach and simple and traditional in menu, but with that touch of international class and luxury service, which makes it one of the more interesting finds on the Dalmatian coast this summer.
Meet Beach Garden Zarace, which opened about a month ago.
An early hit - the gin tonic station - mix your own with a variety of herbal additives to choose from. A great selection of cocktails, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic - the fresh elderberry juice was a real hit with my kids. Who needs Coca Cola?
Cushions, sofas, beach and cocktails - one of the great chill out zones of Hvar.
And the natural setting was reflected in the natural approach to the food.
With connections to the fishermen from the owner in place, a connection with the fresh produce of the island ensured the supply of all things natural and fresh to the table (look out for the spicy rocket - a very pleasant surprise)
I think I am correct in saying that, apart from the meat imported from the mainland, everything else on the menu is local - from local suppliers - including the popular Bogdanusa and Plavac Mali wines.
A snapshot of lunch in the four pics above and below - the photos did not do them justice. Divine.
What is the name of this paradise, I hear you cry? Check out the Facebook page Beach Garden Zarace Hvar for more.
Lunch was more than satisfying, and I was careful not to overeat, for I knew that another task awaited me that evening - a dinner appointment on the north of the island, with a sunset view of Solta.
Possibly one of the most fabulous sunset dinner locations I have had in my 16 years in Croatia.
Even the kids were impressed - and content to run around among the 1,000 olive trees, as we boring adults ate and chatted.
There is not more to say, any more than we have said before about the New Hvar Bohemian Romantic Sunset Dinner.
Hvar, when you are good, you are truly magnificent.
