Restavracija Kobjeglava – Castle Štanjel

Karst cuisine with an urban touch

Whereas in the past prosciutto and jota (cabbage and bean soup) were ample for a day trip and admiring pigs trotters that were on show through the windows, new times have shown that even the most strong bora winds in the world need the assistance of a creative and contemporary chef. Of course, prosciutto still reigns, but every time you visit it is different, since up to now, typical Karst prosciutto spent two years being dried in the bora winds, while Komel prosciutto can potentially be matured for twice as long. The new experience begins with savoury parmesan cake pops with pumpkin seeds, mother-in-law’s tongue with herbs, homemade bread from apple yeast, and Karst sparkling wine from the neighbours. And then, the lights are switched on beneath the mulberry tree and the countdown to the 5-course feast begins. For seasoned gourmets, it is quickly apparent that the food here is not just experimental – the fact is, however, that head chef Simo Komel likes an element of surprise, but only when he himself knows the result well!