Very few cuisines reflect the personality of the chef like that of Ana Roš Stojan. Her strong, determined, extrovert and contagiously friendly character is perfectly mirrored on a long tasting menu, on which dishes have intensive and decisive flavours with no half measures. Each course is a true discovery, in which local and Slovenian ingredients and traditions are skilfully combined with influences from elsewhere in the world with grace, good taste and the chef’s own inimitable style. The “50 shades of Red” menu is dedicated to a colour which symbolises the passion behind all the hard work at Hiša Franko, both in the cuisine and in the service provided by the brilliant and well-trained young staff here. The wine-pairing choices are excellent, with three different options: one based on more classic wines, another which allows guests to explore natural wines and highly individual labels, and a third non-alcoholic option featuring home-made drinks. Among the house specialities which are nearly always present on the menu, don’t miss the corn beignet with fermented cottage cheese and smoked trout roe, and the hay-baked potatoes with fenugreek and roasted yeast-infused sour cream. Our inspector’s favourite dish was the tagliolini with spider crab and melon – tiny egg noodles served with an Adriatic spider crab sauce and a touch of fermented melon which adds freshness and a perfect hint of acidity. If you decide to spend the night here, don’t miss the copious and highly colourful breakfast.