HiSa Franko Kobarid, Slovenia

There are two interesting nuggets about HiSa Franko - 'Home of Franko' in Slovenian. One, its location at the foot of the Ocak mountains and just a stone's throw from Soca river, one of Europe's cleanest. Two, Chef Ana Ros was destined to be a diplomat but landed in this kitchen after teaching herself to cook here - now she has two Michelin stars under her belt.

RoS not only runs the top restaurant but also ages local Tolminc cheese, and has an impressive cellar filled with natural wines. Raw material for dishes is sourced from communities of pickers, shepherds, cheesemakers, hunters and fishermen.

This year, HiSa Franko is offering a tasting menu, '50 Shades of Red', dedicated to art. As always, it's based on seasonal produce - garden leaves with a brown butter emulsion, quail egg and alpine caviar to cappelletti with black pear and Jerusalem artichoke.


Also, don't miss trout cured with fig leaves, inoculated barley and elder blossom water, trout belly and fig leaves praline. There's also pasta filled with apricots, pork broth infused with apricot pits and rose water. And enjoy the sumptuous view while eating that picturesque meal.