“I’m a lucky man” – Richard Ashcroft.
Friday’s Featured Food: Walnut Chicken in Shtastlivetsa, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
I never had any idea that Bulgaria would be a popular spot for food. But I was proved wrong time and time again. The chefs here know how to cook meals with flavour, meals that are memorable and cooked to perfection. So while Bulgarian national dishes specifically may not be the highlight, the way the chefs cook everyday food certainly is.
Shtastlivetsa “Lucky Man” Restaurant, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria
After arriving across the border from Romania and checking into the Hotel Comfort in Veliko Tarnovo, I headed out to one of the town’s best restaurants – Shtastlivetsa and I was hungry! Shtastlivetsa Restaurant translates into English as “Lucky Man” restaurant and has a bit of a story to it.
I went for Zagorka Beer – my first ever Bulgarian Beer.
After looking at the menu it became obvious that my first night in Bulgaria would be a local beer, some chicken and (stomach permitting) a dessert too. The Zagorka Beer on draft was 2.6 Levya (about $1.50 US). I sipped it as I waited for my main course.
My Zagorka – first ever Bulgarian Beer.
For the main course I ordered chicken cutlet baked in crispy crumbs, hazelnuts, parmesan and butter. Garnished with Rocket. It sounds elaborate and exquisite and this is one of the best restaurants in the town. The price for this meal was 9.6 Levya, which is $6 US Dollars.
I ordered chicken cutlet baked in crispy crumbs, hazelnuts, parmesan and butter. Garnished with Rocket.
The taste was outstanding. As I devoured each and every bite of this expertly prepared chicken I kept telling myself this is the best ever chicken meal I have ever had. It was and it is. This meal was absolutely outstanding.
My outstanding chicken meal.
After finishing it, I had room for dessert so I went for mint ice cream with chopped chocolate, garnished with a scoop of home-made biscuit cake, priced 4.5 Levya ($2 US).
Mint ice cream with chopped chocolate, garnished with a scoop of home-made biscuit cake
Again, this dessert exceeded all expectations! I loved it.
Mint ice cream and biscuit – delicious.
Enjoying my dessert in Shtastlivetsa, Veliko Tarnovo.
After finishing the food, I popped into the local pub on the way back to the hotel on what had been a tiring day of travel. Here are my videos from Shtastlivetsa:
And the meaning of Shtastlivetsa is Lucky Man:
Incredible value … I’ve heard from other bloggers that have been similarly surprised my the food in Bulgaria … makes me so hungry just thinking about it!
Selma recently posted…Top Tourist Attractions In Newtownabbey
Thanks for the comment Selma and love the fact you have a post on backpacking in Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland! Safe Travels. Jonny
That’s crazy cheap for that kind of meal. You would pay nearly twice the amount (if not more) for that in North America! How was the beer?
Ray recently posted…Los Angeles – Behind the Glitz & Glamour of Hollywood
Hi Ray – Bulgarian beers are average. Weirdly I preferred the Moldovan and Macedonian stuff to Bulgarian and Romanian. In fact even the Transnistrian stuff was better. Still the food was extraordinary in this place! Safe travels. Jonny