Address:  35 Nikola Vaptzarov Blvd.
Tel:  862 22 99, 962 24 72
Working hours: 11:30 - 02:00

WHETHER you are opting for an enjoyable ladies' long afternoon luncheon or scheduling a strictly business lunch - this is your place. You can take business partners or visiting relatives and friends to experience Sofia from this panoramic restaurant. For it really is literally a panoramic experience. In order to reach the venue you take a lift, and go right up to the top floor of the trendy, business building located at the corner of Tcherni Vrah and Vaptzarov boulevard (very close to Kosharite and a few minutes away from the US embassy).

At the top of the building, the lift ushers you directly into the bar and dining area and you find yourself in a spacey, modern, brightly-lit penthouse with French windows and a striking panorama at its three sides (to Kempinski hotel; to Sofia Land and to Vitosha mountain). There is a big, encompassing terrace and bar where you can enjoy your cocktail during summer time.

After being greeted by friendly and smiling staff (consisting mostly of waitresses usually semi-clothed in costumes with a slightly oriental flavour - perhaps one of the few negative points of the place, which is generally cosmopolitan) you may choose your place either on the second floor or the first floor (non-smoking or smoking).

In our instance we chose floor one - we were a group of three and were cosily seated at a three-place table at the side with a view to the downtown area. Even though it was three o'clock on a Saturday afternoon, the place was sufficiently full, but not unpleasantly crowded. It's worth mentioning that you can go to the Ko Bar & Diner for anything from just a cup of coffee to a full meal. There is just a slight downside - sometimes the patrons who frequent the place, apart from pleasant young couples, are of the `nouveau riche' type, but this is not unusual in Sofia nowadays.  

Nonetheless, it was rather a late lunch and we were very hungry. Consequently our appetite was satisfied. The menu arrived quickly. My companions ordered salads as starters. I ordered pistachio cheese instead with a glass of white wine. It was splendid in taste and texture and it matched the wine perfectly.

If you prefer something more recognisable, my companion ordered caprese salad, which was a caprese 100 per cent, with no deviations, a sound choice, with a glass of mineral water.

My other companion ordered horiatiki salad, which was very good as well. Something like shopska salad, but a bit more adventurous; light and very pleasant and fresh.   

All the portions were ok - neither big, nor small. The waiter was fine too. He came and went when needed. Nothing in excess. The chill-out music added to the general ambiance.

For a second course I ordered dzatara- which was amazingly tasty. Very light pancake rolls and crab tails and cheese, onion, garlic and wine - slightly hot, but not steaming. Light , but at the same time leaving you delightedly full.

If you are in the mood for something more traditional, my companion ordered de frango with poppy-seed cake, chicken toast, and potato chips - a classic choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

My other companion ordered pasta pene ko - which was really extraordinary. Meaning that it had a novel taste, at least for us, for it consisted of pasta, parmesan and pineapples. It was light, nourishing and memorable.

The dessert came right on time. I had a tiramisu, which is wonderful as far I'm concerned (I have tried it a couple of times) and it seems to be a real one with real mascarpone cream. My other companion ordered cappuccino. Our bill came to about 40 leva. Sitting with our  tiramisu and cappuccino, looking through the fashion magazines available there and looking out over Sofia city's fading bustle was the perfect ending to our Saturday afternoon out.