With views from its terrace over the mighty peaks of the Dolomites to the north west and the spirit of the Mediterranean Sea blowing in on the breeze as the sun sets in the south west, Gostilna Pri Lojzetu in the Vipava Valley region of Slovenia boasts a stunning location that draws the crowds almost - but not quite as much - as its creative and innovative cuisine.

It has been said that Chef Tomaz Kavcic, Officier Maître Restaurateur loves the Vipava Valley so much that he proudly shows it on a plate!

Gostilna Pri Lojzetu (Pri Lojzetu Inn) has been in the Kavcic family for four generations. It was first mentioned in 1897, but it was Tomaz’s mother, Katja, who moved it to its present location in the Zemono Manor House in 1997 and it was also Katja who elevated the inn to the level of the best in Slovenia.

Tomaz, who is the pioneer of slow food in Slovenia, has maintained this position and Gostilna Pri Lojzetu regularly features on the list of the country’s best restaurants.

The style of cooking Tomaz favours aims to develop creative and innovative cuisine using new techniques combined with local and seasonal products.

Steaming and salt-grilling are two techniques that regularly feature among the restaurant’s repertoire of dishes, but don’t expect to find Asian ingredients and spices.

For a short time Tomaz experimented with molecular cooking but he soon returned to a classical style within which he combines innovation and tradition.

Tomaz explains the most important element in his cooking is knowledge of the ingredients and their careful preparation that ensures the original flavours remain unchanged in all their beauty and harmony.

Guests should be able to detect that the food has been prepared with love.

Although the focus of the restaurant’s wine list is on those from the Vipava Valley, the Goriska Brda and the Karst, it also includes wines from all growing regions of Slovenia and specialises in a wide selection of sparkling wines.

Chef Tomaz joined the Chaîne in 2006 as a Maître Restaurateur and was promoted to Officier Maître Restaurateur at the 10th anniversary Chapitre of the Bailliage of Slovenia in 2016.

Amanda Roberts
Editor, Revue internationale de la Chaîne