Lindsay Holmes
Google
Landerik, despite its Michelin recognition, fell quite short of my expectations compared to other starred and rated establishments I’ve visited. While the courses were visually stunning with each plate thoughtfully arranged, the flavors often lacked the depth and cohesion necessary to make them truly shine. The creative intent was evident, but the execution did not bring the ingredients into harmonious balance both individually and as a whole.
Among the offerings, two courses stood out: the second course, a roasted cauliflower dish with hazelnuts, and the final course, Landerik’s take on Kaiserschmarrn. Unfortunately, the fifth course—a deer dish—was extremely disappointing. One portion of the deer was clearly either improperly cut or cooked as the muscle fibers were so tough that it was impossible to cut with my provided knife. The accompanying vegetable soufflé style dish was dense, bland, and did little to complement the protein. When I attempted to switch to the fish, I was informed that it was too late. With my main course rendered inedible, I sent it back to the kitchen with only one bite taken. I requested to be charged for four courses instead of five given that I’d hardly touched the main dish, but this was denied.
Additionally, the non-alcoholic beverage selection left much to be desired. Aside from water and coffee, the primary options were juices—most of which were unavailable when I was seated. The one available choice, strawberry rhubarb, turned out to be a bottled variety rather than a house-made creation, which felt underwhelming given the price and presentation.
I chose to dine outdoors given the warm evening, but the experience was marred by interruptions. On two occasions, individuals approached diners, including myself, asking for money—something the restaurant staff could not necessarily control but which heavily detracted from the overall experience. Given the cost of the meal, such disruptions felt inappropriate for a fine dining setting.
As this was my final dinner in Ljubljana, I had hoped for a memorable, celebratory meal. Instead, Landerik delivered an experience that was intermittently enjoyable but ultimately inconsistent, leaving me wishing for the finesse and excellence that one expects from a Michelin-rated establishment.