New Taste and Ambience Experience: Renovated Gostilna na Gradu - Jezeršek catering
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New Taste and Ambience Experience: Renovated Gostilna na Gradu

New Taste and Ambience Experience: Renovated Gostilna na Gradu

Ljubljana, 10. 4. 2024

Comprehensive Experience for Guest Satisfaction

Gostilna na Gradu, successfully managed by Jezeršek Catering since 2020 and hosting nearly 30,000 guests last year, plays a crucial role in co-creating the top culinary offer of the city of Ljubljana and building its story as a culinary capital. "The renovation of the restaurant will undoubtedly contribute to the greater recognition of Ljubljana as a culinary capital in gastronomic tourism and with Jezeršek's standards," says Martin Jezeršek, CEO of Jezeršek Catering, emphasizing the importance of excellent collaboration with the Ljubljana Castle and the city of Ljubljana. On this occasion, he thanks everyone who contributed to the renovation of Gostilna na Gradu and looks forward to further cooperation and new culinary stories they will co-create.

According to Jure Starič, the manager of Gostilna na Gradu, one of the goals of the restaurant renovation is to increase guest satisfaction, which will be achieved through a comprehensive culinary experience starting from the entrance and lasting until the farewell. "Small details and care for guest comfort provide a relaxing experience, which is also reflected on the plate," he adds.

Culinary and Wine Delights to Pamper the Palate

Chef Sebastjan Elbl, in collaboration with Ana Šušteršič, Head of Culinary Creative at Jezeršek Catering, has designed a new spring menu reflecting Elbl's culinary philosophy, based on respect for the natural cycle of ingredients and a preference for local produce. The menu, featuring seasonal delicacies, includes dishes inspired by traditional recipes, with a standout offering of vegan dishes. "One of the dishes that embodies my culinary philosophy is deer back with Jerusalem artichoke, where the main ingredient, young deer, is combined with accompanying ingredients from its natural environment, such as spruce needle powder and spruce bud syrup, emphasizing the connection between the forest and the plate," explainsChef Sebastjan Elbl, who enjoys experimenting with new techniques and flavors when creating new dishes.

Adding the finishing touch to Gostilna na Gradu is its rich wine list, based on Slovenian wines and carefully curated to complement the new culinary offerings of the restaurant. Jure Starič, sommelier and manager of the Restaurant at the Castle, explains: "When creating the new wine list, we focused particularly on the connection between food and wine. When designing the dishes, we already thought about which wines would best complement them and tried different combinations to choose the best ones. In the end, wine is as good as the company we drink it with. Therefore, we also focused on the overall experience we offer to our guests in our restaurant."

Emphasis on Functionality and Comfort

The modern renovation of Gostilna na Gradu, designed by renowned architect and interior designer Tina Rugelj under the watchful eye of castle architect Majda Kregar from Ambient studio, has brought a long central bar counter, which serves multiple purposes and is the main element of the restaurant's interior. Special attention was paid to comfort and functionality when choosing furniture and decoration, creating a pleasant and inviting atmosphere with a touch of medieval character that defines the interior. The designer drew inspiration from existing elements of the space, such as stone walls and iron interventions, and used black iron for fixed elements, creating a special patina and continuing the story of the space. Tina Rugelj emphasizes: "Interior design is always a blend of function with a desired final appearance and respect for existing architecture and its features." She adds: "I never make decisions for aesthetic reasons alone, but each decision is backed by a justified and logical reason."

The interior is also closely intertwined with the new comprehensive graphic identity of the renovated Restaurant at the Castle, created by the Yours&Ours studio, contributing to the overall mosaic.

Kitchen Innovations for an Exceptional Experience

Despite demanding schedules (only 30 days were available for renovation), limited space, and challenging logistics, the project to renovate the entire kitchen at Gostilna na gradu was successfully completed. The renovated kitchen at Gostilna na Gradu is equipped with the latest technology and modern accessories, which provide better working conditions and improved quality in food preparation, contributing to a unique experience for guests. Primož Černigoj, the technological equipment designer from PROprima, helped ensure that the kitchen spaces are functional and aligned with the architectural concept, also using the latest technology: "As an interesting fact, I can mention that by using the latest BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology and 3D technology and VR glasses, we provided kitchen staff with a virtual view of their new working environment before the renovation itself."

Gostilna na Gradu, spiced up with a touch of renovation, reopened its doors at the beginning of April, ready for new culinary stories and unforgettable moments in the embrace of the castle environment.

The photos of  from the opening of Gostilna na Gradu can be found at this link.

Photographer: Matic Kremžar; source: Jezeršek catering.