It’s time for Berrylicious Moments at the Esplanade: enjoy a culinary celebration of local strawberries and chilled bubbly
Esplanade hotel invites you to days of juicy Zagreb strawberries paired with top-quality sparkling wines from Plešivica county and fantastic strawberry cocktails at the Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail Bar
Strawberries always smell like the arrival of summer, of freshness, and invite you to elegant and sensual enjoyment with bubbles of pure pleasure. Beyond their health benefits, strawberries evoke nostalgia while offering endless room for reinterpretation, especially in the hands of the Esplanade’s pastry team led by Mirjana Špoljar, whose signature has been recognized in every dessert at Zagreb’s iconic Esplanade hotel for years.
Therefore, in May, the traditional celebration of strawberries from the Zagreb area began at Esplanade. A collection of seductive delicacies enriched with aromas of elderberry, rhubarb, tonka and sparkling wines from the slopes of Plešivica make a refined homage to the season and terroir. Divine desserts that smell like freshly picked strawberries, evoke summer and have the texture of haute cuisine are something not to be missed. “For me, strawberries represent the pure essence of emotion, spring, and creativity. This season, I have chosen to narrate the tale of Zagreb’s terroir through desserts that blend rustic flavours with the techniques of haute gastronomy. I prepare desserts using the finest local strawberries and carefully selected ingredients such as elderberry, tonka beans, and sparkling wines from Plešivica. I do this not because using local products is a trend, but because it can result in exceptional flavours. Each dessert is crafted with the intention of evoking a feeling and simultaneously telling a story about the region, the season and the moment”, emphasised long-time, award-winning Pastry Chef Mirjana Špoljar.
Indulge in the French charm of Zagreb’s iconic Le Bistro or the cosmopolitan ambiance of the Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail bar with the Oleander terrace and toast to spring with the taste of local strawberries and amazing bubbly. Taste the delicious almond and strawberry crumble with a refreshing strawberry and basil sorbet or the tempting chocolate mousse gelée with strawberry and rhubarb chutney served with fresh strawberries. For those inclined to layered flavours, there is a white chocolate and tonka mousse with strawberriey coulis, sparkling wine and elderflower with sorbet that emphasizes the floral notes. A visual and tasteful rhapsody comes in the form of acacia and vanilla panna cotta with strawberry tartare and almond streusel. It is a dessert that, with its refined aroma and taste, evokes the first summer evenings on the Oleander terrace. In this elegant interior of old‑world charm with a view of the city skyline and park with fountain, the perfect accompaniment to the refined desserts are top-quality sparkling wines from the slopes of Plešivica or a selection of sensational strawberry cocktails, each of which will delight you: Strawberry Fizz or Spring Spritz, both designed by Vjenceslav Madić, better known as Master Kishoni. „For all lovers of premium gin and sweet notes, I have prepared the lightly carbonated Strawberry Fizz in which strawberries intertwine with fruit pepper and the freshness of pink grapefruit, without added sugars—an ideal refreshment and an excellent cocktail paired with small bites”, stated Vjenceslav, adding: „Strawberry Spritz is a fantastic refreshing spritz of fresh fruit flavours with a touch of Perla Rosé Prosecco, followed by long and tasty strawberry finish. This aromatically layered cocktail can be drunk at any time of day, making it the perfect choice for all lovers of light notes.”
The Berrylicious Moments menu is available while the juiciest local strawberries are in season. Do not miss the opportunity to taste a season that comes only once a year, because true pleasures last briefly but remain long in memory. Le Bistro is open every day from 9 AM to 11 PM, desserts are served from 12:00 PM to 10:30 PM, while cocktails in the Esplanade 1925 Lounge & Cocktail Bar are available every day from 12 PM to 2 AM. Reserve a table by calling +385 1 4566 611 (for Le Bistro) and +385 1 4566 633 (for Esplanade Bar). More information at www.lebistro.hr and www.esplanade1925.hr
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Published: Zagreb, 18th May 2025
