Chateau Antique; more than another restaurant

Pork Knuckle at Antique Restaurant Bansko

Chateau Antique opened its door this season and it’s a vital part of what’s new in the Bansko restaurant and bar scene.

The first time I saw Chateau Antique I looked at the downstairs area, it looked empty, and we moved on.

Evgeny Ganchev’s and his partner have come, with his staff from Sofia. Their Sofia restaurant, Lazy is located by the gondola lift in the Vitosha complex.

Chateau Antique dining room

This second time I was not fooled by the ground floor, which understandably looked empty. It was early though. A smiling welcome greeted us, and we shown the way up the stairs to the second floor dining room.

The dishes

Ravioli with spinach and walnuts, Chateau Antique

Without any exception all starters and mains were exquisite. Evgeny delivers sumptuous dishes — from a sensible one page menu.

The Ravioli is cooked how it should — no over cooked pasta here.

Beef with pepper sauce and garlic potatoes

Richard proclaimed the beef “outstanding”. I agreed. Vanya’s vegetable risotto had flavour, creamy texture. Not salty either.

The vegetables were fresh, not frozen, and the rocket (“rucola”) rounded off a dish she heartily recommends.

The pork knuckle, shown at the top of this review, with sour cabbage and mash potato was just what was required on a cold winter’s evening.

Vegetable Risotto at Antique Restaurant

And so to puddings (dessert)…

Tiramisu -- rather nice.

The tiramisu and the chocolate mousse were all rather good.

Chocolate mousse

So that rounds off a great meal at Chateau Antique. Recommended and makes it into my forthcoming top 12 restaurants in Bansko.

If I said the service was efficient, professional and helpful I would be understating. The Redark red wine from Damianitisa winery. Well known for is Uniquato wine from Melnik, the other side of the Pirin — almost local.

New Year’s menu

• GREEN LEAVES SALAD WITH PROSCIUTTO CRUDO AND CHERRY TOMATOES,SEASONED WITH DARK BALSAMIC DRESSING, SPRINKLED WITH PARMESAN SHAVINGS
• DUO OF FOIE GRAS AND DUCK BREAST FILLET WITH WINE REDUCTION
• BUTTERY-HERBAL SHRIMPS OVER SAFFRON RISOTTO AND SALSA AL ROMESCO
• ROASTED SUCKLING BEEF WITH GRATINATED POTATOES WITH A TOUCH OF GARLIC AND RUSTIC RATATOUILLE,IN A SAGE GRAVY
• HOMEMADE DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CAKE WITH MASCARPONE CREAM
• BREAD,BABY CHIABATTA AND FRENCH BAGUETTES
• 2 MINERAL WATERS, 1 SODA
• COFFEE
• 100 ML.ALCOHOL/JAMESON/ABSOLUT/SL.PERLA BARREL/
• CHAMPAGNE AT MIDNIGHT

DJ PARTY:  120 BGN

Address:

1 Angel Kanchev Street.

Tel: +359(0)749 585 00

If you have also been to Chateau Antique, please comment below.