Come Prima restaurant and feeling special
Problem. You’re in Bansko and someone has a celebration, an anniversary, a birthday, or even a marriage proposal.
Or it’s Valentine’s day.
It’s that time to find a restaurant that fits the occasion.
Fast forward to last weekend and I was invited to try Come Prima restaurant for a special birthday celebration.Whilst not my first visit to Come Prima restaurant in Kempinski Hotel Grand Arena, this was an invitation I could not refuse.
The Italian chef there cooks authentic Mediterranean dishes in the open kitchen which adds to the experience. The impeccable service, and personal touch, made it even more special. With my legs aching from the morning’s ski, being placed close to the dancing flames of the warm fireplace brought about a feeling of well being.
No restaurant with fine dining pretentions can risk starting a meal without an amuse-bouche; a small morsel of food to show off the cooking skill soon to arrive. In this case, apart from the tapenade and olive dips, came a ricotta filled ravioli on a small dish. Very tasty.
Carpe Diem
A bottle of the appropriately named Carpe Diem from Midalidare Estate was suggested by Brayno the head manager of the restaurant. Not wanting to waste time choosing, I went along with Brayno’s suggestion.
Glad I did, because this Bulgarian wine demonstrated a pleasant and soft fruity aroma and gentle vanillary oak. I think I could even detect a hint of cassis coming through has well. On the palate it’s also rather fruity, oak dominated, easy; although with some tannins.
A quite enjoyable wine, pleasant, undemanding and not an overly complex red from the hugely reliable Midiladare Estate.
Apps
No, not applications, but appetisers. Those watching US cookery programmes hosted by a particular British chef will know what I mean. But in case you don’t, then I’m on about the starters, the hors d’oeuvres.
Well back to the our apps. I started with beef fillet carpaccio with fresh ruccola, parmesan shavings and truffle oil.
All good.
The other starter we tried was the organic salad with cherry tomatoes – a mixture of fresh green salads, cucumber, peppers topped with melted goat cheese and dressing. This salad comes highly recommended.
Main course
For my main I went for fish. There are a couple of fish dishes on the menu. I chose the fresh red mullet with risotto, agin after taking advice from Brayno.
The meat menu features all main meats, I can report on the lamb as my dining partner chose this. The lamb cutlets came breaded in hazelnuts. Cooked perfectly succulent; their taste blended harmoniously with the black olive cake and caramelised celery.
A dish I would return to Come Prime to taste again.
Let me eat cake
My birthday cake came in the form of the Kempinski winning dessert of 2013. That means that this desert won top accolades in the Kempinski group competition. It’s a beautiful dark chocolate cake with white mousse.
And a candle sitting on it.
All in all, I would say a gourmet experience in a romantic atmosphere. Prices reflect the quality.
Full Disclosure: Kempinski Grand Arena, Bansko are sponsors of this web site. Whilst I never recommend anything I do not enjoy, readers should be aware of this.
Come Prima booking info
guestservices.grandarena@
+359 749 88888
Tips of the day
- Click here for a round up of my favourite eating places in Bansko.
- Download the Bansko App (it’s free), which will also shows exact venue locations.
- Free piste map lens cloth for all transfer,ski hir lessons, lift pass ebookings made on BanskoBlog.com