Dandelion syrup, seaweed cracker, hibiscus consommé, truffle panna cotta, smoked sardines, glasswort, cucumber jam, aromatic porcini mushrooms, sage gnudi, lavender and almond ice cream – these are just some of the dishes from the summer collection created by Executive Chef Ana Grgić

An innovative attitude, meticulously designed dishes, fresh products from local suppliers, a special emphasis on sustainability and food’s original taste are the features of Zinfandel’s new menu
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Renowned for its elegant ambience and charming service, rigorous standards and commitment to health and safety, the award-winning Zinfandel’s restaurant with its spacious Oleander Terrace is again a must-visit destination for true gourmets this summer

Ana Grgić, the talented and charming Executive Chef of the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, in her summer gourmet version of the menu presents exciting and creative combinations that are more than a reason enough to visit Zinfandel’s Restaurant in the coming summer months and enjoy the iconic Oleander Terrace in the heart of the city. ‘The new summer collection brings carefully selected fresh and currently available foods, which I have designed into interesting blends. I tried to find new ingredients and, playing with flavours, colours and textures, arrive at some interesting and seductive dishes with an emphasis on respecting nutritional values along with the necessity that is sustainability. It is important to me that every dish is tasty and fun, that every ingredient I use is of top quality and freshness and from this region. Dandelion, hibiscus, porcini mushrooms, baby peas, zucchini flowers, raspberries, blueberries – I get them all from our local suppliers, my fish from Adriatic fishermen, while Adriatic scampi come from the Velebit channel where I had the opportunity to fish by pot as part of the WWF global Fish Forward initiative. In every dish I want to emphasize to the maximum the original taste of each ingredient, and in creating the menu I tried to add a note of freshness and, with a little creativity, give some seemingly simple ingredients, like sardines or Swiss chard, a well-deserved place in haute cuisine’, said Chef Ana Grgić.
Truffle panna cotta with dried zucchini flower and with dandelion, honey and citrus syrup, goose liver ice pralines with cherry gel and cocoa brioche, cold carpaccio of fresh Adriatic scampi with seaweed cracker, cucumber jam and fennel ice tea, vegetable consommé with sage gnudi and baby peas, poached sea bass fillet with smoked cauliflower and orange and saffron cream, refreshing smoked sardines with tomato and chilli gazpacho – these are just some of Ana’s enticing interpretations and meticulously thought out dishes worth tasting. Steak lovers will be delighted by the luscious Kogoshima Wagyu Japanese steak graded A5 for yield, underlined with caramelized shallots and shiitake mushrooms, or steak with white spring truffles and caramelized parsley root. The new summer collection is complemented by unmissable Zinfandel’s classics such as steak tartare, the famous Esplanade štrukli, fuži with truffles or sea bass roasted in salt crust, which foreign guests always like to taste. A truly fine dining experience is complemented by a list of supreme wines and champagnes from Croatia and the world, while attractive desserts such as caramelised figs in red wine with homemade lavender and almond ice cream, fresh blueberries with ricotta cream and with lemongrass crumble or raspberry brownie with mint cream picked from our own herb garden bring a sweet dose of surprise and perfectly round off Ana’s collection of summer delights. In addition, Ana’s culinary team bakes their own crackers, focaccia and delicious homemade bread daily which is served with homemade hand churned butter with herbs and supreme organic olive oil Nai 3.3 from the island of Dugi otok, awarded with numerous certificates of quality.
With the attractive fine dining summer collection and charming service, the elegant atmosphere of Zinfandel’s restaurant with the most beautiful terrace in the city will again be the finest meeting point for Zagreb’s residents and our hotel guests this summer. Enjoying yourself in the heart of the city has reached a new level with the new menu.
‘The guests at Zinfandel’s can confidently indulge in socializing and enjoying gourmet delights, as the Esplanade Hotel implements strict hygiene and safety measures to protect the health of guests and staff. The signs with guidelines on proper behaviour, frequent and thorough washing and disinfection of hands, spaces and surfaces, maintaining physical distance, airing of rooms, compulsory gloves and masks have become standard for the entire staff. In addition, we offer guests single-use menus, as well as contactless download of digital menus and daily newspapers to their own smartphones via apps, as well as contactless payment. The spaciousness of the restaurant, and especially the terrace, allows us to have more space between the tables, much more than recommended, so that guests here can really feel comfortable and safe’, said Stjepan Okun, Head of Zinfandel’s restaurant.

You can download:
PHOTOS (Author of food photos: Danijel Berković, photos of Ana: Goran Jakuš, photos of the interior: Rajan Milošević – or caption all as the Esplanade Hotel Archive)
À La Carte Menu
Wine List
Basic COVID-19 info and video
Zinfandel’s Restaurant contact: T. +385 (0)1 4566 644, E. [email protected], www.zinfandels.hr

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About Executive Chef Ana Grgić
This young but already experienced Executive Chef has been running the Zinfandel’s restaurant, one of the best restaurants in Croatia, as well as the charming French restaurant Le Bistro and Esplanade Catering, for nearly eight years. Ana pursues the tradition of the Esplanade Hotel’s cuisine while keeping up with world-class culinary trends. Her creative and imaginative menus have impressed many guests and celebrities over the past years, as well as members of royal families, such as the Swedish King and Queen, the Japanese Prince and Princess, the Prince of Saudi Arabia, the royal couple from Denmark and many others who did not remain indifferent to Ana’s ingenuity in preparing dishes. Ana has received a number of accolades for her personality, excellence, and style of cooking. Prestigious publications have nominated her for Woman of the Year and Person of the Year, and the renowned Guida Gallo guide included her risotto among the 101 best risottos in the world in 2013 and 2016. Anna’s style of preparing dishes and her personality led her to participate in the popular culinary television show Celebrity MasterChef as a jury member. In addition, Ana proudly bears the title of ambassador for the Fish Forward Project in Croatia within the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) initiative, setting an example for raising consumer awareness of the global environmental and social consequences of the consumption of fishery products. The Gault&Millau guide awarded Ana the title of Great Chef of Tomorrow, specially emphasising her respect for the seasonality and quality of ingredients, as well as consistent and carefully refined dishes. Her culinary virtuosity and creativity have been recognised by the gourmet association Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, which awarded Ana with the prestigious title of Chef Rôtisseur.

About Zinfandel’s Restaurant
The one-of-a-kind ambience of the Zinfandel’s restaurant and cuisine that combines top-quality local ingredients and flavours from around the world guarantee a truly delightful culinary experience in the very heart of Zagreb. The excellent cuisine of Zinfandel’s is run by Executive Chef of the Esplanade Ana Grgić, whose many years of experience and training with the world’s renowned chefs guarantee an unforgettable gourmet experience. Her repeatedly awarded and talented culinary team, offering fresh and inventive interpretations of Croatian traditional cuisine, includes first Croatian sommelier Ivan Šneler and excellent pâtissiers. Innovative cuisine in a pleasant setting includes views of the legendary Oleander Terrace and outdoor dining. Continuing with the Esplanade’s tradition of supreme gastronomy, with its selection and combination of flavours, this charming chef introduces a freshness and creativity that connect Zagreb with the Mediterranean and continental Europe. Zinfandel’s has received a host of awards for culinary excellence: the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame, the Fallstaff Restaurant Guide, the Great Rail Journeys’ Gold Food Award, the Guida Gallo by Riso Gallo in 2013 and 2016, and the Michelin Guide Recommendation for the third consecutive year, the Gault&Millau Gourmet Guide’s three hats, the LTG Award for Contemporary Restaurant of the Year, and numerous other accolades.

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Contact:
Sanda Sokol, PR & Marketing Manager T. +385.1.4566.036, M. +385.91.4766.647, E. [email protected]
Andrea Ožegović, PR & Marketing Coordinator T. +385.1.4563.888, M. +385.91.4766.648, E. [email protected]