COB — Restaurant in Upravna enota Piran / Unità amministrativa Pirano

COB, Portorož » My visit: July 2024 » Total score: 4.5/5 – good to very good » Comment: Overall, I enjoyed the food: I would point out an outstanding intermediate course with scallop and parsnip, the excellent main course with beef and ricotta and the no less excellent dessert. However, there were some aspects that I didn't like so much: I would describe an intermediate course with gnocchi as nondescript/ meaningless. No bread was served with the menu - I missed it several times. I found it a little disappointing that the restaurant only served one course with seafood (scallops) and only one dish with meat (beef). Considering the fact that you eat with a view of the sea, I particularly missed a fish dish.

I thought the presentation of the food was very good and would particularly like to highlight the excellent use of many "special effects" - one or two of which were even a first for me. Moreover, I would describe the tableside procedures as no less excellent - probably the best I have experienced. (For example, the team prepared two dishes at the table, using elaborate cooking methods and equipment I had never seen before.) 1|112|64

My ratings for this gourmet restaurant in detail:

●● Service – 4.9/5 – outstanding: ● Hospitality, friendliness, obligingness, etc.: 4.9/5 ● Atmosphere, temper, facilitation, etc.: 4.8/5

●● Food – 4.6/5 – still very good: ● Flavors (range, depth, composition, harmony/balance, etc.): 4.7/5 ● Level (thoroughness, craftsmanship, originality, exclusivity, variety of impressions, consistency/diversity, etc.): 4.7/5 ● Choices: 3.0/5

●● Beverages, mainly the wines – 4.8/5 – very good: ● Taste (depth/range, length, complexity, balance, accessibility, elegance, intensity/subtlety, etc.): 4.7/5 ● Level (variety/novelty of impressions, consistency/diversity, exclusivity, etc.): 4.8/5 ● Did the beverages (mainly the wines) match the dishes?: 4.9/5 ● Choices: 4.2/5

●● Presentation of the food – 4.8/5 – very good: ● Textures and (differences in) temperatures: 4.4/5 ● Colors and decorations: 4.5/5 ● Timing and sequencing as well as sizes of portions: 4.8/5 ● Special effects (positionings, DIY-effects, sculptural or thematic elements, surprises, color and motion effects, fake effects, olfactory effects, fog or smoke effects, etc.): 5.0/5 ● Procedures at and around the table (attunements and explanations, elements added/changed, service and staffing intensity, involvement of kitchen team, orchestrated dish presentations, preparations and dishes (partially) built up at the table, etc.): 5.0/5

●● Presentation of beverages, mainly the wines – 4.7/5 – very good: ● Procedures at and around the table (explanations and attunements, etc.): 4.7/5 ● Quantities poured as well as timing in relation to the dishes: 4.8/5

●● Premises and location – 4.5/5 – good to very good: ● Accessibility, surroundings and - as applicable - the view: 4.8/5 ● How did I like the room or - as applicable - outdoor area’s style, decor and atmosphere?: 4.2/5 ● Well-being (space, privacy, temperature, ventilation/odors, lighting, soundscape, sanitary facilities, etc.): 4.5/5

●● Price – 3.6/5 – satisfactory: ● Price-performance ratio for food: 3.7/5 ● Price-performance ratio for wines and other beverages: 4.0/5 ● Price transparency and correspondence of the expected to the actual price (simple, complete and unambiguous price information on the restaurant's website and in the menu,...

COB alias Cooking Outside the Box is an real slovenian treasure with an amazing view above the cost of Portorož.

The restaurant itself has an very modern, clean look, but not sterile, the wooden furniture gives it a cozy feeling. The ambiete is something I need to point out, because even it´s an michelin restaurant, it doesnt have this posh or serious atmosphere, which could make somebody feel uncomfortable or out of place. It´s very friendly, relaxed and the stuff is very professionell, but sill humanly and funny. They explained everything very well, but it wasnt a lecture and they gave me nice hints, what to do in Portorož etc. I really appreciated, when the owner and chef himself came to our table after the dinner for a quick small talk.

So...but what about the food, right? 😹

Some courses, like the the first and last dish were outstandig, I never had something so creative and playful. We really enjoyed the pork, the fish and the rabbit paté. The other courses were totally fine and good, but they didnt hit the spot like the others. My least favorit course was the dessert I guess, but when I gave that as a feedback, they told me, that the other menu they have is really strong on desserts, so maybe it´s worth a try.

In general, I think that it was an amazing expirience and it´s an must-try for the region and you definitely get more back, than you invest, because it´s not just the delicious food, great drinks for a reasonable price, the view, the high standard, but mainly it is the atmosphere created by the owner and his team and the thoughtful details I will not reveal, so you can...

A true, unpredictable surprise.

A minimalistic location with a stunning view over the small bay of Portorož, moonlight reflections shimmering on the water, night birds in flight, the sound of crickets, pure tranquility.

Once welcomed and seated for the aperitif on the terrace, you are served an extraordinary and unusual “salad” (which, as you can see from the first photo, is not really a salad at all) – a truly original welcome from the house, paired with local sparkling wine. (The wine list is entirely focused on Slovenian products, each carefully matched to their international counterparts.)

After moving to the dining table and choosing the most suitable wine for the tasting journey (in our case, Donna Regina, a fantastic rosé sparkling), you are given mock passports stamped with the COB logo, and the long culinary journey around the world begins.

The very young Chef Filip Matjaž reinterprets iconic dishes he has tasted during his gastronomic travels both within and beyond our continent.

Each dish comes with a different-colored stamp, representing its country of origin, imprinted one by one on your new “passport of taste.”

Tasting Outside the Box is the real revelation: atmosphere, warmth, humility, courage, satisfaction. An experience to try at least once.

Cooking Outside the Box!

THANK YOU. Mr. V....