Janez Bratovž, the culinary legend and name behind the eponymous JB in Ljubljana, is the undisputed godfather of Slovenia's modern culinary resurgence, and we don't mean that in the Vito Corleone sense of the term. However, in this case the proverbial “offer you can't refuse” is an unforgettable 11-course tasting menu in a breathtaking 1920s Secessionist building in the heart of the Slovene capital. Long a fixture on Slovenia's gastronomic scene, the mercurial chef began gaining prestigious international recognition when JB debuted on the The World's Best Restaurants at #89 back in 2010. This was quite a groundbreaking achievement, not only for the restaurant, but the entire nation, as it would be no understatement to say that at that time most of the world would have had trouble finding the country was on a map, let alone viewing it as an emerging foodie hotspot that it is today.JB Restavracija
Chef: Janez & Tomaž Bratovž
Despite the international renown of the chef and sophisticated atmosphere of the restaurant itself, dining at JB is a surprisingly a down-to-earth experience, thanks in part to the fact that it's still a family run affair. The menu features bold and original creations, which combine elements from Mediterranean, French and classic Slovene cuisine into completely new forms and tastes, and of course features only the freshest ingredients from Ljubljana's acclaimed farmers' markets. For gourmands who fancy delving a bit deeper into the culinary philosophy of Bratovž's kitchen, dishes are based on the interplay between the four elements (earth, water, air and fire) as well as the four tastes (sweet, salty, sour and bitter). An offer we can't refuse indeed!