A sunny Sunday, a bustling Ivan Mažuranić Square, enticing aromas drifting from the food stalls and a steady stream of visitors from the very start set the tone for this year’s Gastronomic Delights of Novi Vinodolski . One of Novi Vinodolski’s favourite food events once again brought together local restaurateurs on 20 September, along with several new participants who added even more variety with their culinary creations.

This year’s  Gastronomic Delights of Novi Vinodolski offered more than 30 different delicacies, ranging from local and coastal dishes to contemporary interpretations and Italian specialities. Visitors could choose from tuna, mussels, octopus, cuttlefish, prawns, homemade pljukanci pasta, a variety of meat dishes, numerous desserts and some truly unexpected combinations.

The gastronomic offering was provided by Konobas Navigare and Hata, Restaurant Admiral, Bistro Tomas, Bistro-Pizzeria Đir, Aminess Hotel Lišanj, Oris Catering, Ekskluziva and Vinska kuća Pavlomir. A special feature of this year’s event was the participation of three new exhibitors. Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Kvarner Bay made its debut at Gušti, with its team also announcing the opening of the Affamata restaurant. Private chef Damnjan Draganić presented his dishes at the event for the first time, while the Kolačić pastry business also joined the event for the first time with its selection of sweet treats.

Once again, the event gave local restaurateurs an opportunity to showcase their offerings in a different setting, outside the traditional restaurant environment, and introduce them to a large number of visitors. Affordable prices were another highlight – savoury delicacies were available for five euros, sweet dishes for three euros, and 1 dl of wine for two euros.

Alongside familiar favourites, visitors also had the chance to try something new – from the Ružica Vinodola piadina with a lard and beef skewer, grape BBQ sauce and crispy salad, to škripavac cheese and fig ice cream, and paccheri with pistachio cream, burrata and prawns.

At the same time,  Gastronomic Delights of Novi Vinodolski remained true to what they are known for – local ingredients, traditional flavours and dishes that connect the gastronomy of Novi Vinodolski with the character of its region. The tables featured tuna pašticada with black olives and pljukanci, Klenovica-style seafood salad, prawns prepared buzara-style, veal ragù with homemade pljukanci, Novljanska fritura and many other specialities.

The dessert selection was just as varied, ranging from choux pastries, strudels, pancakes, tiramisu and panna cotta to kremšnita, ledeni vjetar and different combinations of ricotta and figs.

To complete the experience, the klapa group Intriga performed on the square, adding the perfect soundtrack to the aromas and flavours coming from the food stalls and creating the atmosphere of a true Sunday gathering.

Once again,  Gastronomic Delights of Novi Vinodolski brought together everything a great food event should have – local flavours, new ideas, local restaurateurs and relaxed socialising. Ivan Mažuranić Square once again became a place where summer is seen off around the table, with a delicious bite to eat and a glass of wine.