Belgrade Trip – Zendwich
This whole complex of eateries and drinkeries seemed on-trend and exciting, with the Asian inspired Zendwich looking particularly well reviewed. The service was welcoming, whilst the staff member was conversational and pro-actively explained the menu concept. They had some outside tables, but it was raining and so I didn’t fancy those (and I don’t like sitting outside anyway, it’s full of insects and heat). Inside there were two tables downstairs and there were two people sitting at one of them, so the staff member suggested that I could go upstairs if I wanted.
It was a bit bare, but I liked it. There are numerous venues which operate from the site, which is the former BIP brewery, which went bust in 2015, although they stopped brewing at this site in 1989.
The authorities were going to demolish it all and redevelop the site, but it has evolved into something that I think is more exciting. And it has saved them spending a fortune on restoring it.
The beer was the Hoptopod from Dogma Brewery, a clean and hoppy little number. I was merrily engaged with scrolling endlessly through my phone and I realised that 35 minutes later that my food hadn’t arrived. I decided that if it didn’t arrive within five minutes I’d better go and chase the matter up, but just at that moment the staff member comes up full of apologies and mentions that he’s forgotten to put the order through. I mean, he did only have one order to put through, but I was in no rush and I liked the place, so this wasn’t a problem.
My chicken katsu, which I accept isn’t the most Serbian of dishes, was excellent with the sauce being full of flavour and the potatoes and carrots (which I’m not sure are staples of Japanese cuisine) were soft and actually tasty. The chicken was tender, but crispy on the exterior, with a depth of taste to the sauce. The rice was perfectly cooked and it was suitably filling, so all very agreeable.
Despite the long wait for food, I was here for just over an hour and that worked out well as it had stopped raining by the time I left. I liked the friendliness of the service, with an effort made to provide tasty food and a selection of craft beers. Asian style craft beer restaurants are high on my list of favourite food and drink combinations. Definitely recommended.
