Konoba Mendula, Bol 09-2018

Far away from the maddening crowds near the promenade and beaches of Bol, lies probably the best value restaurant around. It isn't the fanciest, but if you make an effort to get there (which isn't that much effort to be honest), you'll be rewarded with good food and incredible service.

After turning up on a Monday night without a reservation, the place was very full. As a reward for being asked to wait for 5-10 minutes, we were given a shot of local cherry brandy just to ease the pain on our standing legs. Soon after we sat in amongst the vines and tourists and locals alike.

Interestingly there's a salad bar which includes unlimited amounts and refills. It isn't fancy stuff with tomatoes, cucumber and cabbage, but it's better than having to order it additionally since the main meat/fish dishes in Croatia tend to come with no accompaniments. Additionally you get a free side. I actually thought they said you get unlimited free sides, although I didn't test it and maybe I heard incorrectly.

- Fish soup 30kn - was a disappointment with barely any fish not a particular strong fish flavour;
- Riblja plata "Mendula" 500g for 170kn - the fish was soft and simple, and the squid had a good char flavour to it. I'm not a big fan of scampi (waste of time to me) but it was alright. For the sides, croquettes were smooth but nothing special. The grilled vegetables were very good.
- Panna cotta with fruit topping 30kn - simple and nice. They did not have the traditional dessert available.

At the end of the meal, the (very) young waiter offered us a complimentary drink. Rakia? Sure. After we tried it and didn't palate it well, he offered a different one. I think it was a sherry like drink (maybe walnut alcohol) and it eased everything down smoothly. After 3 free shots and a drink with dinner, it was a warm relaxing wander back home.

It isn't the best or most creative food, but it's decent and good value. And the service is truly excellent (not that I go somewhere for that, but it doesn't hurt with 3 free drinks...)

Gelateria Spalato, Split 09-2018

We were looking to end the hot afternoon in Split with an icecream before going to Bol. We figured there had to be a decent one near the promenade. And yes we saw lots of the them with their fluoro colours and large advertising. Thanks to Google Maps however this one came up as close and so I had a target.

Gelato was nice but both flavours melded together. We should have asked for multiple cones as it was charged 9kn per scoop regardless.

One flavour was the pear & ginger and the other coconut. I'd go back, but have separate cones or at least different colours...

Villa Spiza, Split 09-2018

It's been a good many years since I first visited Spiza (http://eatlikeushi.posthaven.com/villa-spiza-split-07-2013). The years gone by means that this September was busier than the July I went last time. It's a cute tiny place, and there is outdoor seating but I like the indoors and being in the action.

It was only a small meal before boarding the ferry to Bol. With bread, it was just enough for two.

- Fish soup 35kn - very very fishy with chunks of flesh;
- Fried prawns 70kn - crisp flavoursome prawns perfect to be eaten whole.

Similar to last time (even though I didn't record my thoughts on that blog post), the food was decent but didn't overwhelm me as much as I hoped from the reputation and reviews. I can hardly complain, but I'll probably try different places the next time in Split.

Konoba Lucac, Split 09-2018

After arriving quite late into Split (waiting an eternity for the airport bus to turn up), after checking into the tiny Airbnb, we wanted nothing more than a fast local (and for me seafood) meal. I didn't have anywhere in the vicinity particularly marked, but Lucac was around the corner from the Airbnb and after walking past it on the way to the Airbnb it held some good marks just from first impression.

It wasn't very busy inside but there were bits of tourists around. The staff (unlike on some reviews I read) were very pleasant albeit not the most attentive (but I'm not to be over-waited upon).

- Swordfish "Roman style" (slow cooked wine & fruit sauce, pepper & zucchini polenta, decoration cream, spices) 98kn - the fish was heavily cooked until shrunken but still reasonably soft. Tomato sauce with polenta. Very Italian hence the name;
- Mixed Adriatic clams & mussels on "buzara way" (clams, wine, olive oil, garlic) 140kn - as everywhere in this region, the mussels still had their beards. The real highlight was the warty venus and other clams that were really excellent, meaty and flavoursome. The sauce had loads of garlic and white wine sauce to mop up with bread.

A local tavern off the main parts of Split and close to my Airbnb. Could not have asked for a better start to the trip.