Spring in Ljubljana made another business bloom: Darja Končarevič, the #girlboss behind all Bazilika venues, opened yet another one April 1st (no joke!), this time a salad bar called simply Bife (as in, buffet in Slovene). Cashless payments, farm to table approach, collaboration with other Ljubljana restaurants and food businesses, broth soups, online orders & pickup window – busy people on the go have found a new spot for their healthy yet comfort food cravings in town. Oh, and Darja also shared one of her favorite salad dressing recipe with us!

Bife salad offer (aka office lunch)

“I wanted to open a place that takes salad to a higher, more hearty level. That’s why Bife – it offers a concept of 6 different lettuce-based salads, combined with grains, proteins, sides and dressings of your choice. And with a crunchy element – there has to be something crunchy in your salad like roasted almonds, bacon bits, tortilla chips and so on,” explained Darja.

Many ingredients come from other local food businesses: bread from sourdough bakery Art bread, tortilla chips from Mexican restaurant El Patron, lettuce from Dovč farm, chicken from Hudin farm etc. Speaking of chicken, it’s not just salads that Darja takes pride in: they’ve added chicken broth soup in a cup to the menu. You know, the kind that fits perfectly after a hangover. (Not that we’re suggesting anything … But you could nevertheless join our craftbeer or wine tour the night before …)

Interior and cookies are other Bife delights.

This represents the fifth Ljubljana restaurant for Darja (followed after Bazilika, Bazilika Bistro, Bazilika Križanke and Idealist – and the stand at Odprta kuhna until last season), and she’s focused on bringing it as close to the customer as possible. “Website is super online order friendly, we have a pick up window and we’ll definitely expand this whole delivery service,” added Darja while instructing her team how to mix oil with salt, cook the rice right and mix the sweet potato bowl. Well, welcome to the Ljubljana foodie scene family, Bife!

Darja Končarevič felt Ljubljana had a fancy salad bar missing. Hence, Bife!

Darja’s beloved salad dressing: Tahini with yoghurt

Ingredients:

  • 125g firm yoghurt
  • 1 tbs tahini
  • 1 tbs lemon juice
  • splash of olive oil
  • half garlic clove
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Blend all ingredients until creamy. Spread over your favorite salad and enjoy!

Thanks for reading!

If you crave some more delicious experiences, come join our food tours! Or buy our super informative, mobile-friendly and helpful foodie e-guide. Also, if you need help with your travel planning to Ljubljana and/or Slovenia, do not hesitate to contact us as we do also offer these services. Cheers from the yummy side of the Alps!