Bistro 9:45

A Culinary Hour

Bovec had fallen asleep culinary-wise. Having lost its winter season, all it had left was the summer season, which was so overrun by mass tourism that it wasn’t worth putting in too much effort in the kitchen, as guests were already patiently waiting in a long line outside. In such conditions, when there were too many guests for three months of the year and none at all for the remaining three quarters of the year, it was difficult for both the restaurateurs and their rare guests to survive.

And then a young chef, full of youthful ambitions and culinary knowledge, moved from Nova Gorica to Bovec, which is why he wasn’t wary of Bovec’s sleepiness; on the contrary, he relishes the challenge. While Bovec is known for having too many guests at times and too few at other times, 9:45 is a bistro with the right amount. It’s close enough but also just far enough from Bovec that it makes a pleasant walk, but not just for the burgers. It’s also just young enough to arouse curiosity, whilst also being different enough to not just wait for summer. The trout swimming in orange is also just right, the risotto with pear is simply better because of the melting mature cheese, and the white chocolate mousse with lemon zest features a hidden surprise under the cocoa butter and white chocolate crust. More than enough reasons to visit Bovec, even before Kanin gets a ski season again.