Address: 4 Verila St.
Telephone: 952 0830, 951 5760

SOME people choose the restaurants they go to for the location, some are concerned only with the quality and flavour of the food, while others don't care where they are as long as they are with the right company. Club-Restaurant Kushtata combines all, providing a perfect location with deliciously prepared dishes, and the company - well they rely on your good taste for this one.

The name is suitable for the restaurant; in Bulgarian, Kushtata means The House. If you are expecting one of the pub-type Bulgarian restaurants where you can't hear your companion because of the too-loud oriental music and where at some point the tables become a dance floor, prepare for a big disappointment. This place resembles more the style and atmosphere of a house in Sofia around 50 years ago. The aquarelle painting on the wall and the muted lighting really make you feel at home. Or at least at somebody else's very nice home.

You can find Kushtata very easily even if you're not familiar with the map of Sofia. It's situated on Verila Street, which is one of those crossing Vitosha Boulevard, just behind the National Palace of Culture. It's a good place to escape from the traffic and the noise of the main street, while still being in the heart of the capital. I recommend the garden, but in the late afternoon, at the end of September, it's better to eat inside.  The place is excellent for a long tasty dinner with friends, or a business lunch. If you are on your lunch break and like to explore the menu as thoroughly as I do - believe me, don't go there. The menu is huge - it's like the culinary version of War and Peace. Of course, it's full of delicious dishes, both from Bulgarian and international cuisine. The variety of food is extremely wide - from salads, cold and hot starters and pizzas to main courses of lamb, pork, chicken, or fish. If you're a vegetarian, or if, like me, you like to watch your calories, you won't leave hungry either. There are a lot of meat-free temptations to try, such as parsley and spinach balls, 2.40 leva, or the Rukola salad, 4.10 leva. For those who prefer "real food" my companion very much enjoyed the Chicken Julien, 8.10 leva. The menu offers several very exotic surprises. As well as some traditional Bulgarian food, such as Kachamak with butter (made corn, like polenta) and Kurban (lamb soup) - both for 2.70 leva- you can try chicken stuffed with crabs, 14 leva, sheatfish from Iskar lake near Sofia, 10 leva, or why not grilled octopus with vegetables, 18 leva? I'm afraid I can't tell you what they taste like, as I'm just not that brave an adventurer when it comes to seafood.

The drinks list is also impressive. Beer, 15 year-old mature wine and whiskey - it's up to you what suits your mood best.

I have to say I was really thrilled about the desserts. They're as good as the desserts in the other restaurants I've been to, but here they offer something I haven't had for years: baked apples with walnuts and honey, 2.10 leva. You can replace the honey with ice-cream and raisins if you prefer, but trust me on this one - both combinations are mmm…yummy. Yes, I confess maybe I'm not being totally objective, but this smells and tastes like my grandma's cooking. If you go to the Club-Restaurant Kushtata don't miss out on the apples. Or the custard with pumpkin. Or the milk banitsa…

Our bill for two including a starter, soup, salad, main course, dessert, beer and soft drink came to a reasonable 24 leva.