Cocktail refreshments at Joe’s Bar

How can you find the best way to refresh yourself during summer in Zagreb? Along with beautiful parks in the very centre of the city such as Zrinjevac, Ribnjak and Botanical Garden where you can truly enjoy the natural beauties, hotel ARCOTEL Allegra has prepared for the hot summer days an offer of various refreshing lemonades and freshly squeezed juices as well as cocktails made by the best cocktail masters.

Roman Rabik – this year’s winner at the contest for the best barman in Croatia and Marija Cindrić – last year’s winner in making cocktails who also demonstrated her skills in preparing cocktails at the end competition at Eiffel’s Tower in Paris, will prepare your favourite refreshing cocktail only for you. The Watermelon Mimosa, Cuba Libra, BBG Bloody Mary with crunchy bacon, Banana Watermelon Daiyuiri, Bellini, Tom Collins, Mojito a la Cuba, BBQ Colada are only some of the finer cocktails that will not leave you indifferent. Our skilled cocktail masters reveal that each of these cocktails has its own story and special method of preparation.

Visit us at Joe’s Bar, refresh yourself with your favourite cocktail and greet our winners who will surely surprise you with their creations. The fact that we have the best cocktail masters is also proven by numerous newspaper articles such as the daily paper “24 sata”. Our Joe’s Bar is open every day from 07:00 to 01:00h. We are looking forward to your visit!

The World of Cocktails - Trends that we hope last a little longer

When temperatures start to rise, what better way could there be to enjoy summer than with a cool drink, colourfully garnished for visual appeal and with plenty of ice. So once you’ve found a place in your favourite bar, you can settle down for the hard part. Shaken or stirred? The famous question from the James Bond films was yesterday. Today, our barkeeper Hans Höfer reveals the hottest cocktail trends of the summer season and those we hope will be trending for a little while longer:

Barkeeper Hans Höfer

For the Adventurous: Fresh Herbs and Spices

What has long been commonplace in the kitchen can now be found in cocktail mixers: fresh herbs and spices in fruity cocktails. Adventurous barkeepers are reaching for basil, ginger, thyme and sage to create a trend that not only tastes good, but is healthy as well. The reason is that herbs contain many valuable substances like minerals, trace elements and chlorophyll. 

For the Hard-Bitten: Booze Infusions

If you’re the sort of person who only uses a teabag when you have a cold, then you’ve obviously never heard of the latest trend: Booze infusions. Take a common or garden teabag and let it steep in vodka or gin. Topped with lime juice, ginger ale or cucumber, there’s no better way to cool down on hot summer days. 

For Real Royals: Sparkling Wine Cocktails

Cocktails with sparkling wine or champagne are once again at the top of the summer hit list. And as well as the famous Kir Royal, there are plenty of new flavours to be enjoyed. Purée some fresh berries and then top up the mixture with champagne. And if you like, you can also add a dash of spirits to the fruity drink. 

For Hotheads: Lemonade Cocktails

Admittedly, lemonade cocktails are not really cocktails. But if we follow the definition that a cocktail is a mixed drink made of two or more ingredients, then lemonade cocktails certainly deserve a place on our list! As real all-rounders they offer refreshment on hot summer days and also provide the body with liquids. How about a homemade elderberry or lime and ginger lemonade? Simple recipes that you can try out at home can be found on chefkoch.de.
 

Cocktail Happy Hour @ U-ONE Bar 
Every day between 10.00 p.m. and 11.00 p.m. you can enjoy all cocktails for just EUR 5.10!

A culinary journey through the long and hot summer

Summer is already here, and with it our new culinary offer, which will be at your disposal until the end of August. Since something light, refreshing and nice is necessary with the arrival of the warm summer months, our offer is designed to keep your mind and body vital and healthy. It does not matter whether you are on your way to the Adriatic or returning to your place of residence, and you want to make a break in Zagreb or you have plans to visit the Croatian capital, our great summer offer will make your stay in Zagreb even more beautiful and interesting.

Our chef Ivan Simončić and his team created the following just for you:

"Summer light cuisine" – various light salads (from EUR 4,60) & selected Croatian wines (from EUR 2,70)

"Pasta Italiana" – delicious pasta meals at exceptional prices from EUR 6,20

"Fresh & healthy collection" – freshly squeezed juices & refreshing homemade lemonades from EUR 2,60

In addition to this offer, our menu also features other fine Croatian and Austrian specialties, as well as the best cocktails in Croatia prepared by officially the most creative cocktail master of Croatia, our very own Roman Rabik!

We will reveal some of the most important summer events in the city so you can have lasting memories of Zagreb. What is happening in the Croatian capital during the summer months:

Zagreb Time Machine
26. 4. - 5. 10. 2014.

Summer at Štros - STROSSMARTRE 2014
29. 5. - 15. 9. 2014.

Top Gear Live
3. 7. 2014.

International Fireworks Festival
4. 7. - 6. 7. 2014

48^th International Folklore Festival 
16. - 20. 7. 2014.

Since the ARCOTEL Allegra hotel is just a few minutes’ walk from the main square and the picturesque old town centre, it presents the ideal starting point to visit the aforementioned events, explore the cultural sights of the city and shopping tours. Enjoy our culinary journey and discover the beauties of the Croatian capital. The ARCOTEL Allegra team invites you and looks forward to your visit!

ARCOTEL Allegra Zagreb hotel offers the best cocktails in the world!

It is now official: Roman Rabik is one of the best cocktail masters in the world. At the "10^th Havana Club Cocktail Grand Prix 2014" competition held in Cuba, Roman competed with 48 participants from around the world with his cocktail called "Magnifico“.

After the previously held national competition, the world competition "10^th Havana Club Cocktail Grand Prix 2014" was held last week, where the best cocktail masters in the world competed. As its name suggests, the competition was held in the Caribbean Islands, which is a "birthplace" of rum, and proved to be the perfect host. Before they started the competition, 48 participants from around the world had the opportunity to learn many interesting things about Cuba and its national drink, and for this reason the participants visited squares, markets, bars, producers of rum and tobacco, and participated in various seminars. The aim was to familiarize all participants with the Cuban culture, so that they could get the best inspiration for the creation of a "new classic Cuban cocktail".

The decisive event was held on Thursday, May 5^th 2014: Roman Rabik mixed his cocktail in front of numerous people and in front of the high-ranking expert jury, calling it "Magnifico". It is prepared from local Cuban food purchased at markets of Havana, and mixed with chili, salted banana, white chocolate and rum, results in the finest cocktail of specific taste. "An incredible experience!" Rabik says enthusiastically, "A week in Cuba was very intense. I got home with a lot of beautiful impressions and ideas. I am looking forward to surprising the guests of ARCOTEL Allegra hotel with some new creations!"

The success of Roman Rabik makes the hotel manager Ljiljana Mikic very happy: "We always knew that we have an especially talented and creative member of our team in our Joe's bar, and we are extremely proud that he is the best in Croatia!"

And in order to convince yourself in the skills of our very own Roman Rabik, come to the ARCOTEL Allegra Zagreb hotel and enjoy the most delicious cocktails prepared by the hands of a true cocktail master!

See you on Cuba

On Thursday, March 13^th 2014., “Roko Academy" club organized a national competition "10^th Havana Club Cocktail Grand Prix 2014". Our prize winning barman Roman Rabik also participated in this exciting competition. The competition was tough; he competed against ten best cocktail barmen from all Croatia. They used all their creativity to make special cocktails and present them in their own unique way. Around midnight, when the atmosphere was at the peak, there was still no way of telling who will be the grand winner. All contestants were fully prepared; they gave their best to present their cocktails in the most spectacular way.

Our cocktail barman Roman Rabik enjoys entreating the guests at Joe's bar. He was the sixth competitor, and thrilled the audiences with his skills.  After the midnight, the best cocktail barmen, i.e. the grand winner was announced. We were happy that Roman Rabik won the first prize with a rum-based cocktail called "Modern Daiquiri " and " Che Che". He also won the trip to Cuba, where he will compete at the beginning of the June against the world best cocktail barmen.

Once again we are very proud that our very own Roman Rabik won this prize. We also hope that we will hear the great news from Cuba after the World Championships. You are always invited to meet Roman in person in the Joe’s bar in the hotel ARCOTEL Allegra. Let him surprise you with an unique cocktail that he will prepare just for you, according to your preferences.  You will love it, guaranteed!

Valentine's Day is drawing near

February is usually referred to as the month of love. Accordingly, we have prepared a special romantic package called "The month of love". However, love should not be celebrated only on Valentine's Day, so we have extended the offer to every weekend in the month of February. Surprise your loved one with our special romantic package. Enjoy the exquisite dishes and relax in our spacious rooms. Spend the late nights in our Joe's bar and try some of the finest cocktails. 

The package includes:

-Overnight for two persons with a rich breakfast served in your room

-Welcome pralines

-Surprise cocktail at Joe’s bar

-Romantic candle light dinner for two in a splendid ambience of the restaurant Radicchio *

-Two Zagreb cards with the unlimited access for the means of public transportation and discounts -for all major attractions (details available at www.zagrebcard.fivestars.hr)

Price: 146,00 EUR in a Comfort room **

* Drinks along your dinner are charged extra.

** Special offer is available exclusively for arrivals on Fridays or Saturdays in the period from 01^st - 28^th of February 2014.

In addition to the package, you will have the chance to participate in the prize draw where we will award lucky winners with a romantic dinner for two in our restaurant Radicchio. Be sure to follow us in the next two weeks on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ and do not miss this amazing romantic prize! Good Luck!

T +385 4696-000
F +385 4696-096
E allegra@arcotelhotels.com 
www.arcotelhotels.com

Autumn - Time for the largest berry of the world

This month is culinarily devoted to "the largest berry of the world" - the pumpkin.
Cucurbits are originally from America , but are now cultivated in all the warmer regions . Our ancestors have eaten the edible squash many thousands of years before Christ in many different variations already . What makes the usually orange -colored berries so delicious and healthy, is the fact that the pumpkin is low on calories ( 25 calories per 100 grams), is rich in vitamins, aromatic and wonderfully versatile in the kitchen.

Our recipe of the month is hence simple, but delicious:

Pumpkin Apple Cream Soup .
Follow this link in order to receive the recipe : http://bit.ly/monatsrezept

Who is up for a nightcap in the crystal bar: this month awaits our guests another two great  creations of the Martini family:

AGAVE CHOCOLATE MARTINI & BASIL MARTINI

Not just a looker during production, also a great taste experience , or have you ever tasted a cocktail with basil?