Casa Branko: 75 stars

• Manja Maksimovič

Happy birthday to my father Branko who celebrates three quarters of a century today. A special secret Michelin committee spent the last two weeks in Piran to eat his goodies and determine how many stars Casa Branko deserves.

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Fun fact: the best Slovenian restaurant is called Casa Franko, or in Slovenian Hiša Franko, with the World’s Best Female Chef of the year 2017, Ana Roš. Just recently Slovenia entered the Michelin star-rating system for the first time. Hiša Franko received two stars, and five further restaurants were awarded a star each. The guide mentions many more fine restaurants.

One little letter separates our casa from two stars, but the secret committee has awarded Casa Branko 75 stars as the life achievement award for all his good work in the kitchen and beyond.

Let’s have a look at some of the dishes, crops, and together moments from the past year, including the last two weeks which we spent in Piran.

  • Let me wish you a happy birthday with an artichoke blossom. Not yours yet. Maybe next year.
  • This one is yours, a zucchini flower.
  • You are merciless with them.
  • Unlike Italians, you fill them with cheese, ham and boiled eggs.
  • Your invention: champignon macarons.
  • Both fried in tempura with added sparkling wine.
  • A few days later, blueberry strudel. Blueberries were “za porabit”, to finish off.
  • Still boiling hot but ready!
  • Sardele a.k.a. European pilchards waiting their turn.
  • A look at the past year. You chatted up a birdwatcher at Lake Cerknica.
  • You read all you can find. At the church in Bertoki.
  • A photo such as you would take. Last year they had to reinforce a path on a cliff high above the sea.
  • A look at your workplace of many years: Television Slovenia.
  • Current Tuesday meeting place. They serve cups of awareness. Cafe Čokl, Ljubljana.
  • This Hundertwasser exhibition at Lendava castle last summer reminded me of your Vienna.
  • Two journalists from the Slovenian Styria region in blue plus one visiting Scotsman at Fritolin in Piran.
  • Cat meets bestia.
  • In November the family got together to celebrate your and mom’s 50 years of love.
  • Kiwi at Casa Branko last summer.
  • Kiwi and the bottle light fixture (your design idea) this summer.
  • It’s a special summer. But what you’ve got at home beats any virus.
  • Overseeing your crops of lettuce and radicchio.
  • Last week on our Statehood Day you went to listen to the President of Slovenia speak in Piran.
  • Then you tried out a few positions for the flag you received.
  • The little boat on the well won.
  • One day we went out to eat. The chefs need some rest too.
  • Yes, back to the Fritolin pri Cantini. We love their sea food.
  • One day we went to walk the bestia together.
  • Take the photo of the garage, you said. It’s ugly, said I.
  • And we’re back to the Casa nostra.

Happy sixty-fifteenth birthday, dad! Let your garden grow and your casa Branko prosper, invent new dishes and feed all the hungry. I would not change it for any other casa in the world.

32 thoughts on “Casa Branko: 75 stars”

      3. Wow. I’m so envious. Although Canada’s covid #’s are way down we are being discouraged from traveling within the country so we shall stay put and enjoy our local rivers and lakes. Next year we go further – maybe. Have a wonderful vacation!

        Liked by 1 person

  10. Oh my goodness your father’s cooking looks so delicious! Especially those stuffed zucchini flowers and the sardele. I’m virtually dining on all of the dishes. Wishing you well and many happy returns to your dearest papa.

    Liked by 1 person

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  12. That’s so nice! The food looks good! Your parents are one of my favorite blog photo subjects! They always look so happy, it’s no wonder you’re as you are ❤

    Liked by 1 person

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  13. Pingback: O main Papà, happy birthday! – Manja Mexi Mexcessive

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