Boutique Hotel & Restaurant MILKA is a unique place in the heart of the Julian Alps, where you will find a peaceful retreat that combines elements of traditional Slovenian culture and cuisine in the lap of nature with simple modern luxury — so that you feel like home, but only better, and leave with the lasting memories and the desire to come back.
MILKA is located on the shores of turquoise Lake Jasna in Kranjska Gora, which is considered one of the most beautiful Alpine lakes in Slovenia.
The hotel was opened in 2022 in the former Milka Guest House, built in the 1960s. The project was designed by Milka Team in collaboration with Gartner Lifecycle Architecture from Ljubljana and embodies the change in tourism focused on the modern traveler who wants not only to get to know the area, but also to receive unforgettable lifelong experiences presented in a unique approach to design, gastronomy and service.
The property occupies 4 floors. Its exterior and interior are designed using the highest quality and durable materials, such as Slovenian wood and limestone.
The façade of the building is decorated with larch panels made by hand burning, a technique typical of the Gorenjska region, which highlights the structure of the wood, protecting it from environmental influences.
MILKA offers 6 rooms (three luxury suites on the main floors of the hotel, varying in size and amenities, and three double suites on the rooftop floor), each with its own character. Rooms design feature natural materials, open spaces with natural light and a color palette that includes shades of crystal blue, deep green, mustard yellow and steel.
The textiles used, velvets, carpets, modern furniture, private bathrooms, large windows with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains all create a soft, warm, homey atmosphere and guarantee a great vacation.
Upon arrival each guest is treated by welcome gourmet compliment from the restaurant delivered directly to your room.
One of the main spaces in Boutique Hotel & Restaurant MILKA is occupied by the 2 Michelin-starred MILKA haute cuisine restaurant which is deservingly considered one of a kind, merging Nordic and Alpine, modern and classic.
Brand Chef and MILKA co-owner David Žefran, full of culinary ideas and an extreme attention to detail (which was also implemented in the redesign of the kitchen and dining room), before this very project used to work in several haute cuisine restaurants, including a 3* Michelin restaurant in Stockholm.
As David told us, “A lot of our focus is on caring for the environment and how to promote the core of sustainability in the food and drink industry. Our responsible attitude permeates every aspect of the kitchen — for this reason we also collaborate with Slovenian artisans, creating our own ceramics from minerals found near Lake Jasna, as well as wooden plates and utensils made from our own wood. And good food, we believe, can be shared with loved ones in an environment that should not only be exquisite, but fun and relaxed.”
Our tasting experience at MILKA began at the terrace with breathtaking views of the Alps, where several small bites were served.
LINZER EYE — chicken liver, barberry
CUCUMBER — trout roe, pickled cherry
CRAYFISH — potato, rose
CHAMOIS — malt, smoked ricotta
Cocktail: FRESH & COMPLEX — fig leaf, juniper
Cocktail lovers will love this option, as all drinks are inspired by regional ingredients and alpine nature. All created cocktails are served with ice made from natural spring water from Slovenia.
After the aperitif, you’ll be escorted to the main dining room, where the experience continues. The menu could be accompanied by a wine pairing as well as a non-alcoholic one.
Slovenia is a wine country with over 28,000 winegrowers, so MILKA focuses on representing Slovenian wine culture as a whole, as well as in providing a platform for lesser-known, smaller winegrowers from all regions.
DANUBE SALMON — kohlrabi, white fir
Wine pair: ROKA, FURMINT 2021, Stajerska, Slovenia
ТОМАТО — red berries, smoked cream
Wine pair: DOMAINE SLAPSAK, BRUT ZAMETNA ERNINA Dolenjska, Slovenia
BEETROOT — bear, fig leaf
Wine pair: ALPIN SAKE, SHISO 2021 Salzburg, Austria
Wines from the neighboring regions of Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Italy), Carinthia and Styria (Austria) and classic French wine regions are also presented, focusing on the great representatives of the respective regions.
ZUCCHINI — almond, basil
Wine pair: MAROF, SAUVIGNON GORICKO 2021
Premurje, Slovenia
TROUT — bee pollen, fig leaf
Wine pair: VINOGRADI FON, VITOVSKA SELEKCIJA 2021, Kras, Slovenia
FRIED CHICKEN DUMPLING — chicken stomach, ramson capers
Wine pair: RESERVOIR DOGS, CRAZY SISTER
Nova Gorica, Slovenia
MILKA concept is based on regional seasonal ingredients inspired by the Alpine environment and traditions, as well as products from neighboring countries, Austria and Italy, thus supporting local producers, which is one of the key factors in creating a future for responsible and unforgettable culinary experiences.
In between the courses, you’ll have a wonderful BRIOCHE — fermented butter, chives
SPELT — forest mushrooms, black currant
Wine pair: DAVIDE GAGGIOLA, FUORIZONA 2022
Collio, Italy
LAMB — sheep cheese, lovage
Wine pair: RONCHI DI CIALLA, SCHIOPETTINO 2018, Collio, Italy
Dessert part promises to be not less anticipated and full of surprises.
PINE — goats milk, Sauvignon blanc
Wine pair: PRIMARADICE, EL SOL DEL MEMBRILLO 2022, Udine, Italy
BLACKBERRY — eggplant, shiso
Wine pair: ZORJAN, RANINA 2006, Stajerska, Slovenia
Followed by 4 small sweet & salty bites:
CARROT — physalis, dandelion root
RASPBERRY — caramelised milk, lavender
SWEET POTATO — star anise, egg yolk
WORMWOOD — lemon verbena
And as a final and the most unusual yet extremely delicious treat: PORK FAT CAKES with hazelnut & apple
At this point you’ll be also offered to taste MILKA house-made liquors which feature extravagant addictive flavors, and picking a favorite might become a challenging task.
Tasting menu — 260€
MILKA Boutique Hotel & Restaurant
Address: VRŠIŠKA CESTA 45 4280 KRANJSKA GORA
SLOVENIJA
Instagram: @hotelmilka,
@restaurantmilka
Text: Marina Timo
Photo courtesy: EATWEEKGUIDE
