In the city of Varna in Bulgaria, the first kosher restaurant in the city was opened. The restaurant named “Tahini” is located inside a luxury resort “Golden Sands” which attracts visitors and tourists from all over the world and Israel. Kashrut under the supervision of Chabad Burna Rabbi Yossi Halperin.
Varna is a popular tourist city on the spectacular coast of the Black Sea. Israelis like to vacation there because of the cheaper prices than Eilat, and there are also gamblers who are attracted to the casinos. Religious tourists like to visit Borna in order to combine their vacation with a prayer at the tomb of the “Wonderful Counselor” in Silistra, just over an hour’s drive away. In the preface to the book ‘Wonder of Counsel’, the author Rabbi Eliezer Papo wrote: “Anyone who comes to my grave in purity after being baptized in the mikvah and prays with a broken heart, I guarantee him that his prayer will be accepted.”
Every year thousands of Chassidim come to the traditional revelry at his grave, and during the rest of the summer days and between times many more come.
From now on they and other kosher keepers have a lodging and eating solution in Barna. The resort hotel INTERNATIONAL Hotel Casino & Tower Suites is one of the symbols of Bulgarian tourism. The hotel has been completely renovated and includes a modern design, a luxurious touch and 5-star service. Contains 325 comfortable rooms and luxury suites. All rooms offer an unlimited picturesque panorama of the Black Sea and the national park and its golden sands.
The manager of the “Golden Sands” resort, Vladimir Flipov, announces: “For the first time in Bulgaria, we will offer vacationers that will include full kosher meals at the hotel. This is huge news for the kosher-eating public, not only from Israel but from all over the world. The restaurant opens on the following days, and hotel guests will be able to book a vacation together with Kosher meals included – breakfast or breakfast and dinner included.”
The menu of the new Tahini restaurant was put together by Chef Marting Krumov and is managed by Rabbi Yossi Halperin and the overseer Oren Okshi.
The manager of the resort, Martina Danba, says: “Chef Krumov has 15 years of experience cooking for Israeli guests here at the resort, he has been a consultant at the Hachshara restaurant at the Platinum hotels in Nesco and Sunny Beach Bulgaria since their establishment. He knows the Israeli palate, and the dishes offered at the restaurant will be a combination of Israeli flavors with cuisine Mediterranean Bulgarians. We focus on the quality of the products by carefully selecting only the best options and checking every single item that goes into the kitchen. Rabbi Yossi offers a lot of help in maintaining the quality and taste of the food.”
“The Israeli tourist is a member of our family at our hotel,” Danba explains. “Over the years we have learned to cook delicious meals for our guests according to the Jewish tradition and according to kosher requirements, but the problem was the lack of a certificate. Guests asked for the certificate and now we have it. Now we anticipate that the demand will be even stronger due to the many travelers from Israel and the strong partnership with Israir airline which leaves with flights to us on a daily basis.”
Among the dishes on the menu we also found: appetizers such as Arabic salad, Mediterranean salad, regular hummus dishes or hummus combined with meat and more. Main dishes such as fish dishes – grilled trout, grilled salmon, meat dishes – chicken steak, chicken schnitzel, spaghetti Bolognese and more. Vegetarian dishes such as mushroom pasta in tomato sauce, Israeli soups, Sabih and more. In addition, the restaurant will offer sandwiches (chicken, tuna and more), soft and hot drinks, alcohol and more.
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As mentioned, the restaurant is part of the INTERNATIONAL Hotel Casino & Tower Suites under the management of Mr. Vladimir Filipov who is considered the first person to develop the Israeli market in Bulgaria almost 20 years ago. His connection to Israel is close, he visits the country regularly and created business and culinary ties between the countries which contributed greatly to the Bulgarian tourism industry, and to strengthening the relationship between the countries.
Some of the hotel staff also speak Hebrew and they offer information including menus and signs in Hebrew. In addition, the hotel offers free shuttles to and from the airport.
The hotel also includes a fresh water pool, with a separate children’s pool and an indoor pool with warm water. Guests can relax with a drink at the poolside bar, casino bar, or relax by the pool. The Relax Center includes the following leisure and beauty facilities: finishing sauna, infrared sauna, steam bath, Turkish bath (hammam), massages, facials, manicures, pedicures and barbershop. Guests looking to stay fit during their vacation or business trip can enjoy activities such as working out in the well-equipped gym.
INTERNATIONAL Hotel & Casino also has a buffet restaurant with European and Mediterranean cuisine, an Executive Lounge with a non-kosher gourmet restaurant with a set menu for those looking to explore a combination of Bulgarian and Mediterranean cuisine.
