Balkan Bistro and Bar, formerly the Balkan Bakery in the space demolished to make way for the Waterhouse project on Water Street, celebrated a grand opening in the former Under the Roof furniture store at 1003 West Main Street on Monday, June 21.
In 2006, at the Charlottesville City Market, Anja Cetic and her family began offering traditional pastries, pies, and breads from their Balkan Peninsula homeland. Originally from Bosnia, the Cetics also lived in Croatia and Serbia, moving around as they endured the brutal conflict known as the Bosnian War (1992-1995), which claimed over 100,000 lives and created over a million refugees like the Cetics.
Following the war, they relocated to the United States with the help of the local International Rescue Committee. In early 2009, they opened the Balkan Bakery on Water Street, serving up things like traditional Meat Pie (Burek) and Cevapcici, a kind of grilled minced-meat sandwich, and, of course, baklava. Another treat: Bosnian coffee, prepared by boiling finely ground coffee in a small, pear-shaped pot.
"We are going to be a full bar and restaurant now," says matriarch Anja Cetic, "offering American and European cuisine– what I like to call food from the heart with an accent."
The bakery items will be the same, says Cetic, like the baklava, Mascarpone cake, and cookies and baked walnut bread. But now they'll be serving lunch and dinner Tuesday through Friday, brunch and dinner on Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. In addition to homemade sausages, kielbasa, panini sandwiches, and salads, Cetic says they will also be offering beer from Croatia, Slovenia, and Russia.
"We're the only restaurant in Charlottesville serving these beers," says Cetic, "and the only one making their own kielbasa, hamburger patties, and sausages in-house."
Sounds delicious. Thanks for the heads-up. Will check them out very soon.
We went to a Balkan Bistro and bar for dinner and a drink which was former Balkan Bakery, the service was great and food was delicious. They also have Croatian, Russian, Slovenian, Bulgarian and domestic beers. Bud light was only $2.50 per glass amazing… I will be going there every day.
This place is amazing, the owners work so hard they use local vegetables and local meats, and also they are on the Farmers market on Saturday with delicious desserts.
Fresh ingredients but. Always creative and fun and great service.
Brunch is a comfortable, solicitous and delicious experience here.
Me and my bit@$ are gonna hop in the coop and hit that joint tonite son.
If my girl get the lobster you know what happens next son.
Sounds great and I look forward to patronizing this business.
But does this mean no more guys in track-suits talking Slavic noisily on their cellphones at the Barracks' Rd Greenberry's?
"If my girl get the lobster you know what happens next son."
YOU GET THE CRABS! HA HA HA AHA HAHH HAHH HA HAH AHH HA!!!!!
This was truly an outstanding dining experience that could have been in a Bistro in Paris, but happens to be in Charlottesville. Each dish was beautifully presented, delectaible and interesting in every way. It is rare to enjoy all the dishes my husband and I order but we both did and cleaned our plates. We did find room for sumptuous desserts, worth every calorie in them. We certainly will dine there on our next visit to Charlottesville.