21 Mijor Street Lozenets
Tel.: 866 0339
Working hours:
11:30am - 11:30 pm
Credit cards not accepted

A casual meal in a casual dining environment, 21 is nothing exceptional in its ambience. However, this restaurant delivers in its high quality cuisine. With wooden tables on an elevated "outside" area (more of a covered garden with a soothing waterfall) and fancy tables and booths inside, it is the perfect place for any occasion, be it a date, a family meal, a business meeting or a gathering of friends. Located on a tucked- away side street in Lozenets, 21 is a well-kept neighbourhood secret. The waiters are polite and courteous, attentively filling drinks and clearing plates, however ,when it gets busy with large groups the service suffers. Anyone in a rush is not recommended to go there, but if you have time to talk, drink, and be generally relaxed while you eat, then 21 is ideal.

I first tried this restaurant last autumn when a friend and I were in desperate need of a change in venue, having tried all the restaurants in our area. After an acquaintance recommended this little gem, we decided to try it out for ourselves. Repairs were begun shortly thereafter, and this past weekend was the first time I have visited the restaurant since. The menu has changed slightly (an interesting addition of Indian rice and a large variety of seafood) and the decor, paint, and linens have been upgraded.

I am on a strict, limited carbohydrate diet, like probably every other woman out there. No bread, no rice, no potatoes, no sugar, what's a girl to do? I must say I'm a bit sick of shopska salad, white wine and lukanka, so on my most recent visit to 21, I opted to try something a bit different. Granted, chocolate and bread are about the only things that can really save me from this diet from hell, but I'm making it through by varying up my options. I love Bulgarian cuisine and wine, but variety is always important.

My friend has found Bulgarian exceedingly tricky to pick up, but since the menu is in both English and Bulgarian, it's not at all difficult to choose a dish and point, the languages being aligned on either side of the price (often the waiters understand some English as well). He opted for a carrot salad, while I preferred the "Grazia" salad: tuna fish, lettuce, corn, lemon, vinegar, tomatoes and olives (I always request to omit the corn). It was probably the best tuna salad I've had yet in Bulgaria, nicely presented, and has now become my staple at 21. He also enjoyed his salad immensely, and, though saying you couldn't really go wrong with shredded carrots and oil, he admitted it was one of the best carrot salads he's had as well. Either we were both really hungry and easy to please, or else this restaurant delivers in the freshness and quality of its ingredients.

We moved on from the salads and ordered our main courses. He teased me by choosing Philadelphia chicken with a side of baked potatoes. I had to stick to my diet (no carbs for me), so I opted for kebapche and a side of steamed vegetables. We both were more than satisfied with our selections, his being an amazingly appetizing chicken dish. I am not a big fan of meat I admit it, but in all seriousness, the kebapche were really tasty. Not greasy,  not questionable, and instead all-around delicious. The presentations were simple, the food arrived swiftly and still hot, and the portion sizes were reasonable.

My only complaint came with the bill. Though moderately priced (30 leva for all), the waiter took far too long to bring us the bill once it was requested, and then he didn't reappear for quite some time in order to retrieve it and bring us the change. In the end, we had to break the bill ourselves and leave without catching sight of him again. This didn't tamper our dining experience, as 21 will always remain one of my neighbourhood favourites, but it reminded us yet again of how important good service is in a restaurant and how difficult it is to find.