Dall’ Antiquario Apartment
The small studio is conveniently located on a quiet square in the middle of the old town. It has an Ikea feel, but is clean and comfortable except for a few poor design features.
There is a two-inch step with a sharp edge at the threshhold between the kitchenette and the bedroom. We scuffed up our toes a number of times before we placed a line of shoes in front of it as a buffer. The shelf above the bed is just high enough that you are constantly hitting your head if you are sitting up in bed reading, watching TV, or typing, as I am now.
The stairs to reach the room are extremely steep. Not good for those with mobility issues, and frankly not even something I would want to deal with for more than a day or two.
The folks that run the place are very nice and speak good English. The apartment is equipped with a stove top, microwave , fridge, sink coffee maker and coffee, (nice touch) water boiler, silverware, dishes and other pots to cook something simple. The Wifi connection was also decent.
Upon arrival by car they met us at the entrance to the old city and gave us an hour pass to bring our luggage in by car. We then had to park outside the gate, about a 10 minute walk to the pay lot. There is another lot further away that is free. Parking ended up being 185 Kuna ($27USD) for 5PM Saturday to 9AM Monday.
Restaurant Balbi
As thunderstorms were threatening we dined on the terrace with a heavy awning overhead. Loud cracks of thunder threatened but produced nothing. We had read that the food in Rovinj is good but expensive and were happily surprised that the good quality dishes at this establishment were reasonably priced.
The grilled vegies were thinly sliced and perfectly cooked. I ordered the dorade, sea bream – a whole fish that they will fillet for you if you want. Fresh, simple and perfectly cooked with the skin still crispy and the meat moist. Served with the ubiquitous greens and potato mash.
Don’s seafood pasta was the best we have tasted this trip. A fishy tomato based sauce that was much more fish, more like a bouillabaisse, than tomato, with bits of tiny shrimp still in the shell. Some might not like it but we thought it was excellent. The homemade pasta were shaped kind of like worms but tasted much better. To be fair I’ve never actually eaten a worm.
Restaurant Scuba
Located on the harbor with just a few tables inside. The weather had turned cold but we dined on their outside terrace despite the weather. Some patrons were wrapped in restaurant suppled blankets.
Since we were in Istria we started with the truffle and homemade tagliatelli – great truffle flavor over beautifully prepared pasta. For the main event, and it was an event, we had the fish platter for two.
An enormous feast of fish and shellfish, including a whole sea bass and bream, plus mussels, squid and our favorite of the evening, the canastreli, a type of scallop. Also included is a pile of cooked greens over potatoes.
We managed to eat most of it. Che sorpresa! Pretty good and definitely a fun dish for fish lovers, The whole fish were unfortunately a bit overcooked, the first time since we have been in Croatia. The canastreli, however, are fantastic and according to the owner Canastreli over pasta is the best dish on the menu. Service is very friendly and efficient. A delightful place to dine.
June 11-13, 2016
For links to all the posts in this series see the Croatia/Slovenia page.