Prikazka ("Fairytale") was one of those places that I walked past on a fairly regular basis while never actually going in. I had seen it dozens of times without it making much of an impression. From the street, it’s just a sign over a wooden gate in the row of buildings along the pavement —without taking a closer look, it’s impossible to see inside, and I confess that my curiosity never once got the better of me until one night, when my first choice for a restaurant was booked up and I couldn’t think of anywhere else to go.

Once we actually walked through the gate, however, I realised that it was actually considerably larger than it appeared from the outside: the gate opens out into a courtyard of sorts where at least three of the entrances leading out of it belong to the restaurant. There is a bar straight ahead, the main restaurant area on the right, and more seating on the left. On two successive visits, we were seated in both the right-hand and left-hand sides, and while the right was somewhat better decorated, the left seemed more cosy. The service I thought was a little better in the main section, though, due to the increased visibility; on the other hand, we had a different waiter who was far more attentive.

Inside, well-set if somewhat close tables form a pleasant atmosphere; the walls are wood-panelled, the napkins neatly folded and bright blue, and the lighting, in part, from incandescent lamps on the walls rather than fluorescent lights on the ceilings. It creates a rather intimate setting, complemented by the fireplace and small decorative wine-rack stocked with a few representative bottles. I neglected to enquire whether the fireplace was ever lit; in any case it will hopefully be a moot point for a few more months at least.

If I have a complaint about the physical space, it would be that it seems too tight, almost: the entire facility seems like it was converted from a house (or more than one) rather than designed as a restaurant, and I don’t know how they would manage a larger group. Nevertheless, for a quiet evening for two, one could do far, far worse. Speaking of space, however, I would advise reservations if arriving during peak times.

The menu is not terribly extensive, but I have been quite satisfied with everything that I’ve ordered so far. English menus are also available: the waiter on my first visit didn’t mention it, but on my second visit our waiter heard us speaking in English and immediately suggested it. The selection of salads is standard—shopska (4.20 leva); shepherd’s salad (5.20), from which they will accommodatingly leave off the mushrooms; snezhanka (4.50); Greek salad (4.90)—along with a speciality salad ("prikazka", 5.20) consisting of lettuce, cucumbers, bacon, cheese, boiled eggs and a spicy sauce. They are reasonably sized, well-prepared and well-presented, with vegetables as fresh as can reasonably be expected granted the season.

Highlights of the main courses include, a personal favourite, cooked pork knuckle with seasoned potatoes. Though somewhat expensive (22.50), this is a dish for two people—in fact, my girlfriend and I had more than enough to eat sharing this and one salad. The meat was tender, tasty, and ample—enough so that we didn’t even finish all of the potatoes, which were also very good. On our second visit, we were celebrating and decided to splurge—she ordering a duck fillet "Tai" (18.50), and I the salmon fillet Scandinavia (15.50). The salmon was quite good, though not exactly what I was expecting: from the description, I had envisioned something along the lines of salmon on yellow rice; instead, it was simply a fillet of salmon in red wine sauce with white rice on the side. It was also topped with horseradish sauce, which was not mentioned in the menu.

I enjoyed it, but had the description been more precise, I probably would have ordered something else. The duck, on the other hand, did indeed have the hint of oriental spices in its neatly sliced and arranged fillets, but had more of a smoky flavour: a far more pleasant surprise than horseradish. The problem, of course, is in the menu rather than the dishes—if I go back, I will probably be asking the waiter for a more detailed explanation before ordering.

Prices vary widely with what you order. On my first visit, we ate quite a satisfactory meal (sharing a salad and the entree-for-two, with water to drink), for well under 30 leva. On our second visit (a salad and entree apiece, with a 200ml bottle of inexpensive wine), we spent almost 60 leva.

On the whole, my only major complaints are that the physical space is somewhat constrained, and that the menu descriptions aren’t quite descriptive enough. It wouldn’t be my first choice for a large gathering simply because of space issues, but for a quiet lunch or dinner for two, perhaps someplace a little more special or even just for a change, it suffices nicely. While certainly not the cheapest restaurant in Sofia, the food is well-prepared and well-presented, though the service, while by no means bad, does vary somewhat waiter to waiter.

Overall: 4/6
Service: 4/6
Atmosphere:4/6
Food: 4/6
Price  $$$
($ up to 12 leva a person for three courses; $$ 12 to 20 leva pp; $$$ 20 to 35 pp; $$$$ 35 and over pp)

Address:
6 Nikolai Kopernik Str, Sofia
Tel: 02/ 870 00 07
Open: noon to 11pm
Credit cards: yes