Image by Suzan Garbrijan
07 Hisa Franko, Slovenia
When you think of the world’s best restaurants, the chefs at the helm would probably have spent time in the kitchens of other world’s bests restaurants. What makes Hiša Franko so incredible is the fact that its owner, Ana Roš, is completely self-taught. In fact, up until the point she started cooking, her biography included the ability to speak five different languages, a skier on the Yugoslav national team and holder of a degree in international and diplomatic science. Hiša Franko is a little country house in the heart of the Isonzo valley and, legend has it, Ernest Hemingway wrote the novel A Farewell to Arms in one of the rooms overlooking the courtyard. And, yet, this roadside inn refuses to be a classical hotel or fine-dining restaurant but, rather, focuses on presenting the ingredients of Slovenia in the most harmonious way possible. She gets the beef for her tartare from the local cow breed, Cika, trout is caught from the icy waters of local rivers, while the cheese is a local Tolminc. Everything is simply within reach. hisafranko.com
