La Ricetta — Restaurant in Dobrota

Prepare to be transported to a culinary oasis of exquisite flavors and enchanting ambiance at 'La Ricetta,' an extraordinary restaurant owned and masterfully run by the visionary Australian chef, David Pollard. My recent visit to this gastronomic gem left me in awe, and I couldn't help but pen down this glowing review.

Nestled within the walls and courtyard of a 15th century UNESCO protected palace in the breathtaking Bay of Kotor, 'La Ricetta' effortlessly blends history with innovation. From the moment I stepped through the restaurant's gates, I was greeted with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The charming blend of ancient architecture, with its warm white stone walls and archways, perfectly complements the tasteful and stylish ambience that Chef David has thoughtfully curated.

The menu at 'La Ricetta' is an artful tapestry of flavors, showcasing Chef David's culinary brilliance. Having been open for only six weeks, it was remarkable to witness the confidence and finesse with which each dish was crafted. The cuisine, predominantly Italian with Mediterranean and Montenegrin influences, skillfully uses locally sourced, fresh ingredients to create a harmonious symphony on the plate.

I opted for a simple pipe regate with wild mushroom and Italian sausage, whilst my partner went for the exquisite gnocchi with anchovies and capers. Each dish was a work of art, plated with precision and bursting with vibrant colors and textures and each bite was a tantalising revelation of complex and harmonious flavours.

Chef David's passion for culinary excellence was palpable, as he personally visited each table, sharing the stories behind the restaurant and his gastronomic creations and ensuring that every guest's dining experience was nothing short of magical. His deep-rooted respect for local ingredients and dedication to delivering exceptional taste experiences shone through in every dish.

The service at 'La Ricetta' was impeccable, with a well-trained and attentive staff that was both knowledgeable and friendly. They catered to every request with a genuine smile, making us feel like treasured guests in this extraordinary culinary journey. Despite arriving at the restaurant after 10pm we were encouraged to relax and take our time. We were not hurried to order or finish our meal but rather savour the experience for that is what it was. It's clear David and all his staff are looking to deliver nothing short of the perfect dining experience and in my opinion they are certainly living up to the ridiculously high standards they have set themselves.

In addition to a varied selection of soft drinks, cocktails, and exclusive beers, the wine list was a delightful surprise, offering an impressive selection of both local and international options, and with the restaurant's Head Sommelier Igor Pejovic (Previously Sommelier on the Queen Mary II) on hand to advise and recommend the perfect pairing for each dish the dining experience becomes even more immersive and indulgent.

In conclusion, 'La Ricetta' is a rare and magical find that embodies the very essence of an exceptional dining experience. Chef David Pollard's culinary artistry, combined with the stunning setting of a 15th century palace in the Bay of Kotor, elevates the restaurant to unparalleled heights. If you find yourself in this picturesque corner of the world, do not miss the chance to indulge in the culinary delights that 'La Ricetta' has to offer. Your taste buds will thank you, and your memories of this extraordinary dining experience will linger...

TURN RIGHT…was possible the best advice I was given from my hotel Forza Terra. It was my birthday and I asked the hotel to recommend somewhere special. Her words were “turn right from the hotel to have the most special meal”…so I obeyed. Boy am I glad I did. As soon as you enter this haven of a restaurant you are given the most warmest welcome. No distinction is made whether you are a solo diner or a group. I was alone and was given a lovely table. The host (cannot spell your name but begins with S) was working alone but he was absolutely incredible really attentive and took time to speak to you and recommend dishes as well as the wines. For my starter I had the burrata with garlic bread with the most incredible red wine to match. They drizzled this with some out of the world olive oil and chilli peppercorns from Sri Lanka…Well from my first mouthful I knew I was in for a treat. My greed got the better of me and because the burrata was big and I wanted to try more of the menu. I decided to take some home. It was then I was introduced to the man behind the magic…chef Dave. Dave took time to speak to everyone and the passion he has for this restaurant truly shines. I asked him to make me whatever he saw fit. The way I saw it I was confident that whatever I was to be served I wouldn’t be disappointed…guess what? I wasn’t. I had the most perfectly cooked melt in the mouth Uruguain steak and some gnocchi (just because I’m a pig). This was better than an Orgasm! So so so delicious I couldn’t stop eating despite me feeling my buttons of my trousers digging in! There aren’t enough superlatives to describe this place. Not only is the food delicious. The owners and staff are some of the most passionate genuine and caring people I’ve ever come across in the restaurant industry. I eat out ALOT in many countries and different types of establishments and this is amongst the best. It has incredible food, the most generous and kind hearted hosts and the best ambience. I wish I can export it all to where I live or better still move in! So do yourself a favour and go here to dine! If you don’t come out raving about it like me…there is something wrong with you😉. Thanks guys for a memorable birthday that I will cherish forever and Dave you...

Summary: Pro’s: No over service, quick, 10/10 level food for taste, quality and freshness, friendly and helpful staff, awesome vibe/atmosphere to relax to and enjoy an unreal meal. Con’s: Honestly none, being as critical as I can.

Night number 2 and final night in kotor and stumbled across La Ricetta in our travels and what a treat it was. Dined there with a mate of mine and we were both taking it fairly easy due to having food poisoning the day before but the whole menu was hard to resist. We had the garlic bread and arancini for starters and burrata and gnocchi for mains and all 4 dishes were faultless and ++++ for authenticity and freshness. After having consistently received poor service and food quality for the prior week in Croatia, La Ricetta couldn’t have been more refreshing or restorative of faith in eating good food abroad.

The atmosphere in the restaurant was super relaxing, warming and wholesome. The minimal jazz playlist definitely was fitting.

To start with, when simply asking the waiter how many arancini balls are in a serve, he replied that there are 3 but they can make it 4 for no worries and no extra cost…

The entrees then came out and were phenomenal to eat and faultless. Then come the main event and was truly blown away by the level of service and hospitality. The waiter asked if he could cut the burrata for me of which he then took me on a tour of the UK salt, Sri Lankan Red pepper which is sweet not spicy, something else and then olive oil out of a Chanel No. 5 bottle to top it off… 😂 couldn’t believe it. Then leaving us to enjoy our meals which I think you can gauge we definitely did.

After our meals, we were then lucky enough to meet the legend behind it all, David, which was awesome to see a fellow Aussie abroad and smashing his business. Super down to earth, friendly and inspiring fellow and was awesome being able to have a chat and hear about his journey!

Overall it was a super dope and memorable experience and one that’ll definitely bring me back if I’m ever in...