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Fri, Feb 10 2012
Sizzlers Restaurant
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I arrived at the Zu Bar in Varna with a friend to find it was no longer the Zu Bar but Sizzlers Bistro. Apparently the previous Welsh owners had sold on the bar-cum snack bar, just behind Maria Louisa Blvd, to Tracey and Alex.
Alex and Tracey have crafted something very different from the old pub, which was a typical "beer and toastie" affair, and now offers one of the most varied menus I have seen in Bulgaria.
As I looked around I noticed extensive refurbishment including a bar that had shrunk in size to accommodate more tables, tastefully decorated walls and sweeping fabric drapes hiding the ceiling.
Tracey surreptitiously slipped us a laminated A3 menu while I drained my beer at the bar (Becks at just more than three leva for 0.5 litre). My Bulgarian pal was very pleased to see a menu in Cyrillic.
"The Sizzlers Special" (at 9.50 leva) is apparently their signature dish. It consists of grilled chicken or pork fillet in a selection of sauces with peppers, mushrooms and onions. We decided to share this as a starter, opting for chicken with the special Sizzlers BBQ sauce.
About 15 minutes later we heard the fizz of the Sizzler plate coming out and then were hit by the aroma. As we tucked in I noticed the quality of the produce and the fantastic BBQ sauce immediately. It was excellent and gone in about five minutes although I should emphasise that this dish alone would be an ample main course for most hearty eaters.
We now eyed the main course.
Sizzlers has dishes from at least eight different national cuisines including Indian, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Turkish, English and, of course, Bulgarian. Alex explained that many people who had dined at the new Indian restaurant up the road had sampled the small Indian menu offered by Sizzlers and preferred the latter. This was challenge enough for a curry fan such as myself and two chicken Vindaloos were ordered with rice and nan bread for a very reasonable 9.50 leva each.
I didn’t hold out much hope of the authenticity or quality but was assured by Bernie, the English chef and Varna resident who had been summoned to do his sales pitch on us, that most of the ingredients were brought over by friends from Goa.
When the Vindaloos arrived we noticed that our rice portions were huge and the curry dish consisted of two whole chicken fillets each and a very good effort at the nan. I had asked to have mine spiced up "to the max" and when Bernie had given me time to sample it he asked if it was hot enough. It was not hot enough for my battered taste buds (or so I thought) and so he whisked it away for a touch-up. I instantly regretted asking him to do this because the spices kicked in about 20 seconds after he left.
It was HOT! He returned and it was now REALLY hot! But I loved it and so did my friend. The sauce was rich and thick with fresh green chillies but I was defeated by the mountain of rice and frisbee-sized bread. I only managed to finish the chicken with the help of the famous "brew men from Bremen" (another Becks beer).
We were then offered a dessert and my friend nearly opted for the fruit crumble and ice cream (4.95 leva) but even he decided this would be the epitome of gluttony and so we declined.
To sum up, the atmosphere and surroundings of Sizzlers was charming but simple. The food was delicious and varied and the prices better than you would expect for the quality we received. The service was as efficient and personal as you would expect from a family run operation such as this. So I’d certainly recommend anyone to Sizzlers. I know we will both return. After all, we have another six countries (at least) to visit on the menu.
Address: 15 Bdin Str
9000 Varna
Tel: 0897824195
Open: Tuesday - Saturday
10am until midnight
Sunday 11am-10pm
Closed on Monday
Credit cards: no
Alex and Tracey have crafted something very different from the old pub, which was a typical "beer and toastie" affair, and now offers one of the most varied menus I have seen in Bulgaria.
As I looked around I noticed extensive refurbishment including a bar that had shrunk in size to accommodate more tables, tastefully decorated walls and sweeping fabric drapes hiding the ceiling.
Tracey surreptitiously slipped us a laminated A3 menu while I drained my beer at the bar (Becks at just more than three leva for 0.5 litre). My Bulgarian pal was very pleased to see a menu in Cyrillic.
"The Sizzlers Special" (at 9.50 leva) is apparently their signature dish. It consists of grilled chicken or pork fillet in a selection of sauces with peppers, mushrooms and onions. We decided to share this as a starter, opting for chicken with the special Sizzlers BBQ sauce.
About 15 minutes later we heard the fizz of the Sizzler plate coming out and then were hit by the aroma. As we tucked in I noticed the quality of the produce and the fantastic BBQ sauce immediately. It was excellent and gone in about five minutes although I should emphasise that this dish alone would be an ample main course for most hearty eaters.
We now eyed the main course.
Sizzlers has dishes from at least eight different national cuisines including Indian, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Turkish, English and, of course, Bulgarian. Alex explained that many people who had dined at the new Indian restaurant up the road had sampled the small Indian menu offered by Sizzlers and preferred the latter. This was challenge enough for a curry fan such as myself and two chicken Vindaloos were ordered with rice and nan bread for a very reasonable 9.50 leva each.
I didn’t hold out much hope of the authenticity or quality but was assured by Bernie, the English chef and Varna resident who had been summoned to do his sales pitch on us, that most of the ingredients were brought over by friends from Goa.
When the Vindaloos arrived we noticed that our rice portions were huge and the curry dish consisted of two whole chicken fillets each and a very good effort at the nan. I had asked to have mine spiced up "to the max" and when Bernie had given me time to sample it he asked if it was hot enough. It was not hot enough for my battered taste buds (or so I thought) and so he whisked it away for a touch-up. I instantly regretted asking him to do this because the spices kicked in about 20 seconds after he left.
It was HOT! He returned and it was now REALLY hot! But I loved it and so did my friend. The sauce was rich and thick with fresh green chillies but I was defeated by the mountain of rice and frisbee-sized bread. I only managed to finish the chicken with the help of the famous "brew men from Bremen" (another Becks beer).
We were then offered a dessert and my friend nearly opted for the fruit crumble and ice cream (4.95 leva) but even he decided this would be the epitome of gluttony and so we declined.
To sum up, the atmosphere and surroundings of Sizzlers was charming but simple. The food was delicious and varied and the prices better than you would expect for the quality we received. The service was as efficient and personal as you would expect from a family run operation such as this. So I’d certainly recommend anyone to Sizzlers. I know we will both return. After all, we have another six countries (at least) to visit on the menu.
Address: 15 Bdin Str
9000 Varna
Tel: 0897824195
Open: Tuesday - Saturday
10am until midnight
Sunday 11am-10pm
Closed on Monday
Credit cards: no
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15 Bdin Str, Varna, Bulgaria
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The Sofia Echo
NEW INDIAN RESTAURANT IN VARNA,BULGARIA
SV.NIKOLA 60G,HOTEL CHEZARINO
www.indianrestaurant-vn.hit.bg
Where is that restaurant? I can not open the web-site.
NEW INDIAN RESTAURANT IN VARNA,BULGARIA
SV.NIKOLA 60G,HOTEL CHEZARINO
TEL:0035952914445
GSM:00359888625754
Due to unforseen circumstances Sizzlers is now closed, whilst we appreciate all whom helped and supported us we would now like everyone to respect our privacy to enable us to move on in our lives.
Thankyou
We are pleased to announce that Sizzlers has now re-opened with the new exciting menu.
Full details of the menu, opening times and directions can be found on our web site:
www.letseat.at/sizzlers
We hope that you will drop by and sample our new menu and exciting new flavours and tastes.
Yes Bernie the chef walked out of our bistro without any notice after having personal problems within Bulgaria.
Our Bistro is not closed permanently, we are only closed for a refurbishment which was explained to all our existing clients. We also advertised our intentions to close for refurbishment on our web site a week before closure, we are working hard to re-design our bistro and menu and ask all clients to keep a watch on our web site for information regarding our new exciting menu and opening times.
Thank you to all our clients whom have [...]
Read the full comment supported us throughout our trading.
how disappointed i was after travelling 30km to find it closed more notice would have been polite. i have also been told that bernie (the chef) has gone elsewhere anyone else know if this is true ?
This comment has been removed by the moderator because it contained
Enjoyed several meals at Sizzlers during my recent 2 week stay. My Chicken Madras was as good if not better than my local Curry House. Shirley had the house special Chicken sizzler with the sweet chilli sauce and said it was a superb meal. Good food, good company in a family run friendly establishment. A great meeting place,in central Varna near the cathedral. A great place to meet ex pats as well as members of the local community. All power to Alex, Tracey and Mike. Be assured we will return to see you on our next visit in August. [...]
Read the full comment
wow, what a great review!!! i have been to sizzlers on numerus occations and the service,atmospher and in general are superb!!! the food is 1 of a kind in varna, dare i say bulgaria?? if you want a really pleasent evening you really must visit. keep up the good work guys, and see you all soon.
Not much to add to Simon Feek's review, as he has hit the nail square on the head, but I shall try!
Sizzlers is unlike any other restaurant in Varna, offering a virtual culinary trip-around-the-world in their menu. One does not have to settle for going to an Italian, English, Chinese, Bulgarian, Indian, Russian, Turkish or Mexican restaurant or navigate through courtesies with friends or relatives deciding which cuisine will please everyone. At Sizzlers, it's all rolled into one.
The atmosphere is warm, friendly, comfortable, and easy on the psyche after a [...]
Read the full comment rough day or a difficult morning at the office, providing a soothing break before wrapping things up for the day.
From Sizzlers Burgers to melt-in-your-mouth Roast Lamb, Chicken Kebabs or the perfectly seasoned Vindaloo Curry (Bernie still has not made it quite hot enough for my particular taste yet, but he assures me next week will be a "10", and I do not doubt his promise), everything that comes out of the kitchen is BETTER than you would expect from a traditional single-cuisine restaurant.
From the owners, their children, one brilliant chef and all the patrons, Sizzlers gets Five-Stars all the way around. A simply sophisticated delight sure to please anyone who finds their way to Bdin Street.
Not much to add to Simon Feek's review, as he has hit the nail square on the head, but I shall try!
Sizzlers is unlike any other restaurant in Varna, offering a virtual culinary trip-around-the-world in their menu. One does not have to settle for going to an Italian, English, Chinese, Bulgarian, Indian, Russian, Turkish or Mexican restaurant or navigate through courtesies with friends or relatives deciding which cuisine will please everyone. At Sizzlers, it's all rolled into one.
The atmosphere is warm, friendly, comfortable, and easy on the psyche after a [...]
Read the full comment rough day or a difficult morning at the office, providing a soothing break before wrapping things up for the day.
From Sizzlers Burgers to melt-in-your-mouth Roast Lamb, Chicken Kebabs or the perfectly seasoned Vindaloo Curry (Bernie still has not made it quite hot enough for my particular taste yet, but he assures me next week will be a "10", and I do not doubt his promise), everything that comes out of the kitchen is BETTER than you would expect from a traditional single-cuisine restaurant.
From the owners, their children, one brilliant chef and all the patrons, Sizzlers gets Five-Stars all the way around. A simply sophisticated delight sure to please anyone who finds their way to Bdin Street.