Bistro Zvezda, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Bistro Zvezda - "It didn't take long for Kongresni Trg, and Zvezda Park, to resume their rightful place as the heart of Ljubljana's city centre after reopening to the public in 2011 (now resting on top of a shiny new subterranean parking garage). Thus is was only a matter of time before a restaurant or two moved in to satiate the appetites of a hungry citizens. While Bistro is minimalist in décor, its menu of gourmet lunches and light snacks are nothing if not decadent, and its sophisticated wine list is complimented by an ample selection of cocktails for those wishing to drop by for an after work or late night tipple." - by InYourPocket

Jasna Suhadolc - owner and manager at Virtua PR, a regular in Bistro and would still be even if they would not be her client, one of the best restaurants she's been to was in Toronto, sharing table with Jugo and friends, started Virtua PR right out of EF, never actually worked as an employee, collaborating closely with Virtua IT as they used to be (in more ways than) one, born and raised in Ljubljana with Sarajevo Bey roots, during study also a Tuborg hostess and intern at Gral (now GfK), heavily influenced by Rudi Tavčar, now helping set up Akrapovič Kreativa agency - firstly focusing on very strong Akrapovič brand and then gradually expanding to other clients, has a 6 years old son, regularly visiting concerts such as Michael Buble and Sade in Munich, enjoys aesthetically pleasing parts of life and being social online and offline, recently read The Smashing Book - recommends it to all digital agencies and while she also recommends Zvezda's crunchy chewy hrustljavka, she will one day do all her work pro-bono for young entrepreneurs and fledgling companies with good ideas.

Dok 19, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Dok 19 - "We're always a little sceptical of places that ignore the unwritten rule prohibiting different cuisines from being prepared in the same kitchen, so it was with a leery tongue that we approached the newest establishment to join the fray on Petkovškovo Nabrežje - as burritos, pizzas, pastas, steaks and a full English breakfast all feature prominently on the menu. Lucky for us our scepticism proved to be unfounded yet again. Although nothing we've tried has really impressed us, neither has it disappointed, add in good service and a great location and you have a winner." - by InYourPocket

Jugoslav Petković - born and raised in Jesenice, father fotball player, brother football player and he was also dragged into it for a while, lost Jesenice accent and weird words such as "masa" for pencil already in high school, Soros's Open Society grant took him to Lockport, Lafourche Parish, Lousiana on a 6 month exchange, as a European he was instantly drafted to soccer team only to be reserve goalkeeper, nevertheless Lousiana experience marked him for life in the most positive of senses, he started with mIRC scripting in his early years, advanced through HTML, JS, Perl, PHP, co-founded Mimovrste and Domenca (now D-Labs), investor in Flaviar, taking a serious approach to the whole business angel matter, sees spoils of life (such as BMW convertible) as a way to promote entrepreneurship, due to frequent visits to recently closed Pungaršek/Mangart restaurant, he became friends with chef Dušan who now returned back to Germany, together they've recently visited Ikarus restaurant in Hangar 7 in Salzburg (Need I stress it's a recommended experience?), traveller and a foodie will one day grow his local version of Masdar city to be too big to ignore. Sooner, way better than later. 

Lonček kuhaj, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Lonček Kuhaj - located in the basement of Tehnološki Park 1, serving mostly companies and start ups from the floors above, as well as academics from nearby FRI and FMF faculties. Quick, convenient, but don't come with too high expectations. Green garden will positively surprise you, though. Focus on the subjects of the discussion around the table. Their website is powered by Mitja's Kupi.

Tomaž Frelih - co-founder of Hekovnik and BoundBreaker, grew up in Martinj Vrh near Železniki, a village which was first fully covered with wifi with the help of EU funds, Frelih = Frölich = cheerful, stems from the time of German settlements by Augsburg nobles in Škofja Loka castle, knows how to do golcanje, FRI graduate, worked for LTFE, took part in TDC project where he met Kristjan Pečanac, hence Hekovnik/Simgularis story, currently reading Funky Business Forever, used to read a lot of crime books, was disappointed by several biographies - like Jobs, where the crucial details from early start up to successful sustainable business period are missing, solved partially by Steve Blanks The Start Up Owner's Manual, badminton player, mountain biker and swimmer will one day have a lot of Hekovniks all over the region and will buy out University and re-arrange it so it will be able to produce swaths of students with top skills and international hunger to develop and deliver excellent products and services. Kowtow.

Eksperiment, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Eksperiment - "Offering a bit of everything for everyone, Eksperiment is a difficult place to get a good feel for, which makes the name all the more appropriate. Judging solely from the interior décor and soft moody lighting, you would be forgiven for thinking it's an upscale Asian eatery or trendy bar, while in actuality it's a morning till late night restaurant that specialises in grilled chicken and pork ribs, and serves homemade beer by the pitcher. Of course they also offer breakfast, a fine selection of coffee and an impressive drinks menu, so make of it what you will." - by InYourPocket

Roni Kordiš a.k.a. Had - born and raised in Zagorje with strong and proud local accent, now lives in Izlake, father roots in Kočevje, was repelled from FRI by sheer prospect of Neža Mramor Kosta's Analiza (Calculus) lectures, continued on FOV, but decided not to finish just couple of steps before the finish line with thesis already written (darn!), many years at Ultra with interesting insights, briefly at Sonce.net and then in Oust.me start-up founding team currently on hold, about to launch Beerhunte.rs and be part of Deluxe brand-agency-like problem-solver-solution-maker, 10 years skiing training and 7 years handball training behind him, recently read Jessica Livingston's Founders at Work, was convinced by wife back in 2005 to start writing his Had blog that he named after Hades, writing also DigitalHell and SloPR blogs, mountain hiker and biker, starting running career with first 42k marathon coming up in 2013, with unlimited resources he would devote even more time to blogging, while actively financialy support fledgling start-up scene in Slovenia - like a VC minus stellar expectations. Thrive the playground will.

Nebotičnik, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Nebotičnik - "This restaurant on the 10th floor of the Nebotičnik building looks like something out of New York in the 1920s (or at least films set in New York in the 1920s). A wooden spiral staircase leads down to the large dining area which has been completely restored from the stone floors to the high recessed ceilings, including furniture custom-designed in the style of the 80 year-old originals. With sweeping views of the city in all directions, it offers a dining experience like none other in Ljubljana." by InYourPocket

Nataša Pirc Musar - Information Commissioner of Republic of Slovenia, grew up in Mekinje, not hiding her slight Kamnik accent, her mother was the 13th kid in the family, among the most followed females in Slovenia on Twitter, second only to Katrina Krasal, does not eat raw tomato, though her father would very much liked that, while studying law started working at local TV station in Kamnik, quickly found way to national TV, graduated on the very date she had to to stay on RTV, still and totally passionate about law - human rights in particular, also VP of Europol Joint Supervisory Body, reading Prikrivanje, the third book in trilogy V imenu države, for which information sources and hence publication she was instrumental, avid bowling player - 6th on Masters ranking, only after knee injury folded her handball career, with unlimited resources she would earn her way into 75% parliamentary majority - preferring direct election which would provide a safety plug to the nation in case people would not like the new and improved system she would build then. Checks and balances lady creating new board-game and rules.

Pomaranča, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Pomaranča - these "oranges" are spreading fast all over Slovenia from Ptuj and they have every reason to do that. A very nice place, cool staff, a-la-carte maybe a bit pricey, but during business lunches it's a no brainer for a visit or two. Thumbs up.

In Pomaranča toilet they want you to hit the ball(s) ...

Tomaž Deisinger - Relationship Manager at UniCredit Banka, born and raised in Koper in a medical doctors family, grandfather locomotive operator on Vienna-Trieste route, wanted to study medicine, but ended up falling in love with economy and finance instead, EF graduate and Cotrugli MBA Alumni, student summer PR intern-ship at Port of Koper developed into job in finance dept, also lecturer at UIP, played basketball for Koper club, was ski instructor and is now totally into mountain biking, publishing photos on his biker blog, currently reading book about flat-coated retriever dogs and will one day uptake a Kona Africa Bike like related project.

Ana Bernetič Deisinger - born and raised in Izola with Italian-Balkan roots, non Višnjić passed on many valuable lessons, her maiden name linked to Bernetiči village, wanted to study medicine, but then opted for Psychology at UNITS in Trieste - specialized in development psychology, works with Coccinella kindergarten, writes Čarobna Preproga blog, started organizing animal assisted therapies and will soon try it also herself, just finished and recommends Alenka Rebula's Blagor Ženskam - almost bibliotherapy ready, recently playing piano at friends wedding rekindled her passion for music and will one day have a big farm with lots of animals for others. For experience, exposure and therapy.

Mufi, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Mufi - not very well known, but definitely not be avoided. Friendly staff, good food, distinct ambient. Recommended. By Mustafa Dizdarević and Jasna Abdić.

Janez Kolar - born in Murska Sobota, mother from Kobilje - at the end of the (Slovenian) world, father from beneath Boč, near Castle Borl, where Miha Pogačnik is reigniting Parzival legend, linking us tightly to The Holy Grail, FS graduate, newspaper delivery boy, Slovenijales stipendiary - later declined Moskvič sales job, served JNA in Banja Luka, in early team at GEA College, also lecturer after having an opportunity to stand in for Miroslav Glas, selected as preferred thesis mentor by many students, DHL HR director in Slovenia, while working for Panasonic had the occasion to observe morning corporate anthem listening in Japan offices, built house in Vnanje gorice and ran for mayor, worked in Aerodrom Ljubljana board, Rotarian by heart and enjoyed a great Rotary trip to India, reading David Icke books, has 2 grown up kids, used to sail competitively, father Milan invented Watrek and will be featured at Dragons Den, plays keyboard and will continue to help uncover and show true potential of everybody, starting locally in Ljubljana first. Not unlike Adlers are doing.

The little lamb. Ready for prime time. Peace by piece.

Origano, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Origano - "Located in what was once upon a time the village of Vrhovci, Origano isn't Ljubljana's most conveniently located restaurant, but is nevertheless worth the effort it takes to find. Set in a century-old house, the interior has been extensively modernised in a spacious minimalist style, which is well-suited for the cooking workshops and culture/culinary evenings that frequently take place - with Russia, India, Ireland and Greece all recently featured. In addition to a seasonally focussed à la carte menu, Origano has some of the best set lunches in town, usually consisting of a few lower priced options, a slightly more sophisticated business lunch and something for vegetarians." - by InYourPocket Ljubljana

Tomaž Jug - CEO at Beezway and Advisor at Editor, born and raised near Gorica, flexible with his accent, did a bit of family tree research - found Vojvodina roots, GEA College Entrepreneurship graduate in Portorož, one of the earliest geeks in Gorica with 9600bit modem, started a company with his sister, was a paid DJ, worked for Krea in Gorizia Italy and Arctur, tried with Markendrink, founded Editor with Igor Cej,  which eventually evolved into a franchise which was also his thesis subject, recently their new baby Beezway got funded in by a VC and is now pivoting through Start Cloud series of workshops using Ries' Lean Startup and Steve Blank's Startup Owner's Manual, 7 months old daughter, was recently engaged in last minute (literally) vacation capacity searching in Istria, tinkering most of the time he will one day grow a business accelerator with special ephasis on proper physical environment to the tune of I/O Ventures probably starting in Gorica.

Sometimes they also organize blind dinners in Origano.

Kino Šiška, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Kino Šiška - "After nearly a year of renovation, one the city's most iconic cinemas reopened its doors in 2009 as an urban cultural centre featuring several state-of-the-art preformance halls and exhibition spaces. Dedicated to promoting contemporary music, theatre, dance and experimental events, it already attracts big-name regional and international artists, and is scheduled to hosts around 200 events per year. Most concerts are held in its largest multi-purpose hall, dubbed 'the Cathedral', which can fit over 800 people. Check out their English language website for more info and a full schedule of events." - by InYourPocket Ljubljana

Alenka Bizjak - sister, finishing MF in Maribor to become GP, born and raised in Kranj, father developed first DOS based IS for National Archive, developed leadership competences as a proud member of Rod Stane Žagar mlajši scouts - like Igor, participated in DŠMM, SloMSIC and IFMSA which took her to Australia, Jamaica and UK and got her in contact with Zero Generation trainers, rekindling the fire with HealthcareLSS, was Erasmus exchange student in Aachen volunteered at TEDxMaastricht, is active organizer at TEDxLjubljana, was also au-pair in UK, reading 7 Habits by late Covey, Theory U, watching quality TV series and will one day have her own clinic for integrative medicine while keeping a tab on too much working.

Katarina Bizjak - sister, researcher and lecturer, finishing Ph.D thesis on pedagogical practice, Kranj roots recently replanted to Maribor, FSP graduate, used to be gymnastic trainer, but after practice in Canada with Ljudmila Korolenko realized that world class gymnastics is to cruel and she does not want to be part of it, returned to school sport education to teach at GimB, was a trainer at GIB, TEDxLjubljana organizer, founder of Nora Zabava - circus style animation for and with kids, certified Adler coach, writes sports related articles for Ciciban and Cicido, helped run Poletje.eu project, avid salsa dancer, just about to get married, reading Formule ljubezni and will one day change education system through transforming teachers, spending time with them to influence them to spend more time figuring out what kids really want and can become. Yes they can!