Growing up in South Africa was a strange experience in some senses. Surrounded by sea from three sides and having four neighbouring third world countries next door, South Africa might as well be a far flung country.
Lands with culture and rich histories are far away and passionate tales were told by those lucky enough to have visited. With the exception of the United States, who had saturated our TV screens with entertainment, most other countries were shrouded in mystery. In fact, the further the away the country the more enigmatic it was.
One such country is Serbia and visiting it was like the fog lifting from this part of the world. Driving through Belgrade there is no mistaking that we’re in an ex-communist country with cyrillic billboards and women wearing funky socks paired with dubious footwear.
Right in the heart of Belgrade we stayed at the exemplary Square Nine Hotel, five star luxury for the discerning traveller.
A short walk away you’ll find Dukley City Lounge that recently opened. Businessmen frequent this venue and it’s easy to see why – with its wooden interiors, wide range of whisky and late night bar in the basement reminiscing the bygone jazz era.
The menu comprises an eclectic selection of international favourites and tend to be on the heavy side. As someone who detests beer, the Beer, Elderflower, Vodka and Lime cocktail was surprisingly pleasant and refreshing. Fresh breadrolls arrived at the table and the velvety paprika, garlic and basil butter was downright moreish.
Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to starters. My favourite was the somewhat feminine Tuna Tartar (£9.50) that was brined for 24 hours and served with pickled cucumber, sliced avocado and a zesty emulsion of orange juice, ginger, oyster sauce, sesame oil and seeds.
In close second came the big hunk of a Camembert (£5.50), completely covered with ground hazelnut and pepper, in a cloche containing thyme smoke. Cranberry jelly is served on the side to cut through the richness and wine is simply a must.
Also noteworthy was the goat’s cheese that formed part of the Italian-style platter (£6.00). Goat’s cheese tend to be at the end of two extremes – with rind and gooey on the inside or dry and crumbly. Unusually, Dukley City Lounge’s offering falls in the middle; a soft, not gooey, yet not firm and definitely not dry cheese. Most of the produce used in the restaurant are bought locally in an effort to support local businesses.
The Pumpkin Risotto (£5.50) was better placed in the main course section than with the starters. It’s the perfect autumnal dish, laced with cinnamon and tastes like a savoury pudding. Topped with crispy sage and prosciutto, condensed red onions and melted parmesan it proved to be as pretty as a picture.
Prawn Wrapped in Sea Bass (£9.50) served with a medley of vegetables and citrus sauce were well executed. Not to missed is the Duck a L’Orange (£10.00) which melted in the mouth with the help of the sous vide. Sweet potato puree and orange jus worked brilliantly with the meat. Throughout the meal one could not help but appreciate the range of artsy crockery used.
Camomile Panna Cotta (£1.50) topped with lemongrass cream came in cute little cups but turned out to be unbalanced with no acidity to help cut through the richness. The kilner jar craze seems to have hit Serbian soil but the deconstructed Jaffa dessert (£1.75) proved to be irresistible with its laýers of ground, roast hazelnuts, chocolate mousse and orange jelly.
Overall, the quality of the food served was fantastic and it’s definitely worth a visit if you are slightly suspicious to try the local cuisine yet don’t want to stoop to McDonald’s. Warning, there aren’t many of the latter in the capital.
For another perspective of the restaurant, you can read Jeanne’s review here.
(Don’t forget out its sister restaurant in Budva, called Dukley Beach Lounge.)
Have you ever been to Serbia? If so, what did you think? If not, why not?
Quick Overview
Food
8/10: Good from start to finish.
Value
9/10: Prices are below the average of decent London restaurants with the Tuna Tartar being the exception. Decent sized portions though.
Service
8/10: Attentive and on the ball.
Ambience
7/10: Laid back with acoustic covers of well known tracks playing in the background.
Recommend
8/10: Great food and service to be had in Belgrade’s city centre.
Dukley City Lounge
Kralja Petra 44
Београд 11000
Serbia
Website
P.S. I was a guest of Dukley City Lounge.
No never been…
I’ve also subscribed via email xx
I’ve never been to Serbia – just never considered it.
I’ve never been to Serbia – just never considered it.
Never been.. Just prefer UK travel. Already subscribed.
I’ve been to lots of countries but not Serbia…yet! I’d love to visit Belgrade of course, St Sava’s Cathedral , Kalamegdan fortress, the national parks and travel down the Danube:-)
never been its not somewhere ive thought of going
I’ve never been – already subscribed by email!
Nope not been, not yet anyway.
Subscribe by email thanks 🙂
Never been, but looks so interesting!
Nope, never been to Serbia.. just never really considered going!
& i have subscribed by email, thank you.
Nope, never been to Serbia.. just never really considered going!
& i have subscribed by email, thank you.
not, i’ve not really heard about it
No never it’s somewhere that I have never thought of visiting
I have never been – already an email subscriber
We’ve not been… Yet!
We’ve not been… Yet!
never been its not somewhere we’ve thought of going
never been its not somewhere we’ve thought of going
Never been to Serbia
Never been, never though there is something interesting to see
no as never left the UK
I have never been but I would love to go because the scenery looks absolutely stunning. It’s on my wishlist definately!
I’ve not been purely because I haven’t had the opportunity yet.
Never been! Not in my top 10 and concentrating on saving up for them.
I’ve not been but my nephew went on his gap year travels around Europe & had a lot of fun.
Have never been to Serbia. To be honest, it is not somewhere I know a lot about – I know Ivanovich who plays for Chelsea comes from there, but otherwise that’s about it! If I went, I would choose to go for a long weekend to get a taste for the place first.
I have never been but I would love to go.It looks lovely. Just not had a chance yet
Great photos, I’ve not visited Serbia yet but I would like to one day. The food looks really good and I like the sound of that cocktail even though I’m not a big beer fan either.
What a great selection of dishes and this green steaming mysterious dessert looks very intriguing! 🙂
I’ve never been 🙁 xx
Never been
Never been
Ive never been serbia it just hasnt peaked my intrest yet
Ive never been serbia it just hasnt peaked my intrest yet
No, never been although I did work with a girl whose parents were from serbia and she made it sound a nice place
I’ve never been to Serbia but would love to, I love travelling
I’ve never been because I’ve never been out of the UK. Sounds interesting though.
I’ve never been to Serbia – probably because I don’t know much about the country and haven’t come into contact with any Serbians.
No, I’ve never had the chance x
I’ve never been but that restaurant is making me wanna visit!
I’ve never been to Serbia
No, I’ve never been to Serbia. When Yugoslavia existed I went there but to Croatia, which was lovely.
Nope never been
My best friend and I keep meaning to eat our way through lots of countries like Serbia. One day we will.
Never been to Serbia, but would like to
I’ve never been sorry xxx
I’ve never been sorry xxx
I’m signed up to the news letter xxx
NEVER BEEN SO FAR
Serbia isn’t a place I have visited.
Nope, I have never been before. It is not somewhere I know enough about that has enticed me to visit.
No because I always choose places suitable for children.
Never been. Never thought of going there
No I have never been never been able to afford to go.
Nope, never been
Nope, never been
Have never been to Serbia as it’s not somewhere I’ve heard a lot about before
Am subscribed to your newsletter
NEVER, BUT WOULD LOVE TO VISIT
NEVER, BUT WOULD LOVE TO VISIT
have never been to Serbia
ive never been
I’ve never been but would to visit.
No I havent, probably as other countries have a more touristic nature
No never been, have not had the chance, would like to though
No never been, have not had the chance, would like to though
Have you ever been to Serbia? If so, what did you think? If not, why not? No l’m afraid l’ve never been to Serbia
have subscribed by email
No I haven’t I would love to travel so much but with young kids its hard maybe in the future x
I haven’t been – I would love to, money stops us
I’ve never been to Serbia – I’m disabled and can’t fly so have never been anywhere abroad!
Nope, I have never been.
no but would tlove o
I’ve never been, mainly as I don’t know much about it so have never really considered going.
I’ve never really thought to ever go there for a holiday!
I never thought about it as a holiday destination
I’ve never been to Serbia as it never struck me before as a holiday destination.
I haven’t been to Serbia as has never even been a consideration before now, but I may have to change that.
Subscribed to the newsletter
Never been, and to be honest it’s not even somewhere I know exactly where it is. Poor geography!
No, I have never been to Serbia, although I was supposed to go with college in 2006 but the trip was cancelled! I have however visited the neighbouring country of Bulgaria, and based upon that visit, Serbia is certainly somewhere I would visit in the future.
No I’ve not been although its on my massive list of places I would like to visit. There are just so many places I would like to go that Rome and Paris came first I’m afraid.
I’ve never been but have heard it’s lovely, definately one to visit.
No, never been to Serbia, heard good things though.
No, never been to Serbia, heard good things though.
No – it’s never occurred to me to go there as it’s a fairly “new” destination.
Never been. Never crossed my mind.
Never been. Never crossed my mind.
No but would love to .org could afford it
Love to win 🙂
would be great to get that book!I love to cook new yummy recipes.