This used to be the site of Beyond the Alley, Behind the Cupboard, one of Sofia's most upmarket restaurants, and it's nice to know that its successor is keeping up the tradition of style and elegance.

An original fusion concept – books and fine food – Adi's Cook&Book offers a wonderfully relaxing ambience in which to come in and browse, or even work on your laptop. Most books are in Bulgarian although a few in English – including a generous selection on international restaurants, cookery and cocktails – are available, as well as a surprisingly full shelf devoted to weddings.

The decor is charming: cream curtains, soft flowery sofas and big lights conveying a chandelier-like effect. The walls are adorned with many wildlife photographs and the draped windows stuffed full of festive wintry decorations. It's bit like being invited into someone's luxurious home –  you can see the kitchen, the "dining room" and the living room – all stocked with books and magazines – including a seemingly complete set of National Geographics.

The menu changes every week. On our visit the menu offered two salads. A French salad of lettuce, bacon, croutons, pouched egg and vinaigrette dressing (10.60 leva) as well as salad of vegetables and roasted buffalo's cheese with vinaigrette (8.20 leva).

Starters include goose liver with French cognac (18 leva). For main courses there was duck with crunchy vegetable wedges (18 leva), roasted salmon with steamed potatoes, butter and broccoli flan (25 leva) and beef steak with potatoes in Madeira sauce (29 leva).

Desserts – all at six leva – were creme brulee with vanilla and chocolate, chocolate mousse with coriander and tangerine peels as well as lava cake with chocolate topping. I sampled the last with a cappuccino (total price 10.50 leva) and can confirm it was delicious.

Another nice touch is that the new owner, Adi Tzanova, has upheld the previous management's example by maintaining the charming quality of the cloakrooms.  The old dumb waiter shaft is an interesting attraction to boot.

Adi's Cook&Book
31 Budapest Str.,
Tel: 02/ 4702635
www.adiscookandbook.bg
Open: Tues-Sat 11.30am to 6.30pm