This BYOB cafe is the perfect spot for a hefty Eastern European dinner, and not just because there's no corkage fee. The hosts and owners, Mira and Pera, an older couple who love customers so much they make sure to meet each one, walk through the restaurant checking in on diners and straightening up tablecloths and chairs. They create a friendly, comfortable atmosphere; there is usually at least one family dining in the small but tidy cafe.
Complimentary bread is brought out before the meal, with two dollops of tasty flavored cheese spread. But don't eat too much; there's a wide selection of sizable salads (or salatas), healthy soups and hearty entrees awaiting you. For meat lovers, the pljeskavica (Balkan-style patty) can't be beat for its sheer size and intensity: a giant beef, lamb, pork, onion, and cheese conglomeration served with fries, lettuce and tomatoes, this thing is serious. There's also the cevapi: eight pieces of beef, lamb, and pork rolled into sausage-like chunks.
For the veggie lover, there's the Balkan Vegetable Fusion, a steaming plate of vegetables that eats more like a stew than a simple meal. For an after-dinner treat, you'll find a selection of coffees, teas and sweets, including delicious crepes and intriguing blueberry juice.
Average cost: <$10
Centerstage Reviewer: Zach Freeman
