Address: Lozenets,17, Elin Pelin Street
Tel:  866 00 44, 0887 337 003
Does not accept credit cards

THE taste of Tuscany on a side street in Sofia. Maybe the idea was a little far fetched, but I was in the mood to find out if it was possible to find the classic Tuscan kitchen in Bulgaria. So with a cute date I found myself walking up to the house that has been converted into Ristorante Tosca, past the green garden and elevated terrace, through the door and under a hanging purple curtain into the elegant restaurant. The colours are not typical of a Tuscan eating space, though they are fitting for a relaxed sitting area, which is what this restaurant hints upon. A lilac purple with touches of green and gold make the dining area welcoming and elegant, cosy but posh.

Both times I have eaten here have been with a single companion, so I have yet to experience the secluded and comfortable adjacent room, with oversized pillows and inviting sofas. This area seems to be set aside for groups, so it is definitely worth making a reservation for this space, independent of the size of your group. Because it's a relatively new restaurant, it is rarely crowded, and one can normally stumble in on a weeknight without too much worry of being sent away with an empty stomach. With the weather turning colder, the outside areas of most restaurants are no longer working, forcing everyone to huddle inside. Tosca is no exception. The beautiful terrace outside is pretty much closed for the season, so making a reservation for inside is never a bad idea this time of year.

The waiter that served us was the same one as my last visit, a sour, scowling man in no mood to be waiting tables. However despite his attitude, he was attentive to our needs for different things, including offering olive oil and balsamic vinegar in addition to the typical ones found on the table, always refilling our waters and clearing our plates, and bringing the bill as soon as we asked for it. We received adequate attention from him without feeling rushed. The menu is unfortunately all in Bulgarian, outside of the charming introduction to the Tuscan kitchen and its attempt to draw you to the western part of Italy and out of Sofia, Bulgaria. If one can read the language or is in the presence of someone who doesn't mind interpreting, Bulgarian menus are not such a huge hurdle to having a good meal. 

I chose a green salad with cucumbers and lettuce, perfect with some salt and the balsamic vinegar, and my companion ordered a green salad with tuna. Both our salads were fresh and rather large. He went on to order a bowl of tarator, a Bulgarian soup made from cucumbers, yogurt, and walnuts, something I haven't become completely acclimated to. He claimed it was tasty, but I'm not a fan. For our main courses we ordered grilled chicken with barbequed vegetables. The vegetables were sliced thickly, which made them seem even more fresh, but unfortunately they had very little flavour, as there was no spice. They were presented nicely, fanning out from the filet, and they were hot upon their arrival, something I consider very important in cooked vegetables. The portion sizes were decent and the general ambience feels as if filling yourself with food in good company is exactly what this restaurant is set up for.

Overall this restaurant is highly recommended, as it's relatively new and not hugely popular, meaning it is possible for one to dine with friends without being bothered by other people, a rarity in the chaotic and often reserved Sofia restaurants that most people frequent. I was unimpressed by the bathroom, a one-room water closet with no real class. Located next to the entranceway and the kitchen, it leaves one feeling a bit exposed. However, despite this, I would highly recommend dining at Ristorante Tosca for the experience and decent food, and with a 20 leva bill at the conclusion of our meal, the prices are quite reasonable. The ambience is refreshingly intimate, and the cosy fireplace is a definite bonus.