Paul Ivić takes vegetarian sensation Tian Bistro to Croatia for a summer-long pop-up

Austrian chef Paul Ivić is exploring his Croatian roots this summer, bringing the unique vegetarian and vegan cuisine of Tian Bistro to Falkensteiner Hotel in Zadar.

Last week we had a preview of the menu at the pop-up, as the beautiful Mediterranean sun went down. The core of the offer is using the produce of local organic farms to create dishes that evoke memories of family meals, in a process defined by the chef as “from root to leaf” – in other words, without wasting any part of the crop.

The beetroot tartare was exceptional – the texture and taste were reminiscent of traditional tartares, but without trying to replicate the exact taste – however, the key element of the dinner was its sharing nature, which suits the holiday mood perfectly.

Ivić rose to fame with his sensational plant-based restaurant Tian in Vienna, before expanding to Munich – both operations now recipients of a Michelin star. Building on the success of the concept, the chef has also opened the more casual Tian Bistro.

Sommelier André Drechsel surprised us with a selection of Croatian natural wines, including Giorgio Clai’s sparkling Pjenusac Brut Nature and Vinas Mora’s Kaamen II, made from local babić grapes, as well as some staples from Austria.

Falkensteiner is a chain of luxury hotels and in Zadar we managed to experience some of what the resort has to offer, from dipping into the private beach’s turquoise water to enjoying a massage and battling on the clay tennis courts, all of which makes for a superb break by the sea.

Filippo L’Astorina, the Editor
Photos: Filippo L’Astorina

Tian Bistro am Meer will be at Falkensteiner Hotel Adriana until the end of the summer, to book visit here.