Kalabaš, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Kalabaš - first true African restaurant in Ljubljana, with very unfortunate location and marketing. Helped a little bit by Kolektiva & Co. Not yet on Odpiralni Časi and Foursquare, but they do accept reservations via SMS and actually confirm it back in the same fashion.

Saša Fajmut - HR business partner at Goodyear-Dunlop joint venture Sava Tires, Kranj being the CSEE headquarters, Goodyear for safety and Dunlop for performance, born and raised in Kranj, youngest of four, parents also lived in Lybia, psychology graduate, worked for Aragon Research and Novo Nordisk, currently in the middle of Cotrugli EMBA program, climbs hills, does yoga, reads Jim Collins Good to Great, enjoys her 2 year old daughter, together with Tilen, Gaber and Matija needs to come up with a business case for prof.Brennes and will one day devote herself to sustainable living in urban environment.

This delicious treat was brought to the table with a little help of Privoščite.si

If you Foursquare-check-in here, they give you a free coffee. Only slightly related to Kalabaš. Hintilen.

Pri Jovotu, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Pri Jovotu - one of the first Serbian Grill places in Ljubljana, very famous, yet getting additional heat from Momo and Damajanty competition ... Competition is good. And so is Jovo. Reco(mmended). With very antique website - a rarity, Web 0.2 :)

Igor Panjan - Business Analyst and Team Leader at Viator Vektor and A-Soft, roots in Dragatuš - Črnomelj - Bela Krajina, mechatronics graduate, with MBA looming around the corner, recently appeared on stage at IBM Impact conference with Samo Božič, running zidanica.com portal and while in his zidanica he enjoys ice cold Laško, he had to grind through Union Pri Jovotu, developed be-mobi app with Andrej Kambič, is reading two bibles: Rifenbary's No Excuse and Greene's 48 Laws of Power + Working with you is killing me, learned Russian during study, his biking habits were influenced by Aleš Muha, follows Klososky and will stay in internet sphere for a long time to come.

Yildiz Han, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Yildiz Han - the first true full blown Turkish restaurant in Ljubljana. Quite authentic. Recommended.

Tomislav Hečimović - Surgeon at Novo Mesto hospital, Zagreb - Lika mix with half of his family in medicine, Hecimovic actually meaning doctor in some form in Turkish language (hekim), studied medicine in Zagreb, 6+6 years, staying fit for long operating hours with boxing, fitness and running, reading The Schock Doctrine, linking it to Bilderberg Group, discussing with patients during operation calms them down, while British surgeons don't necessarily wash their hands before, will soon travel to Turkey due to pressure by Blaž Malenšek and will most probably forever stay in the service of humanity with surgical tools in his hands. Blue Book is supposedly a book written about actual Alien visits, the grey kind that Gregor Beslič believes in.

Srpska Brvnara, Beograd, Serbia

Srpska Brvana - very inviting from the outside, high expectations and sadly very low delivery. They actually ran out of minced meat, the order took way too long and they what we did not order. I do hope that was only a very rare occasion.

Silvije Horvat - Rational Tech Specialist at IBM Croatia, born in Sombor, lives in Zagreb, studied at FPZ Telco major, worked for TIS and KING-ICT before coming to Big Blue, knowledgeable about meditation, also Laura de Giorgio's technique, football and tennis player, not yet golf player, likes Inception movie, reads Science of getting rich and will one day be part of a special place on the water. No, there is no picture of Burj Al Arab in Bervana - very intensive debate resulted in not taking Silvije's picture. Again :)

Birtija, Beer&Ti&Ja. Play of words and beer on Silicon Alley.

Red Shoes, Beograd, Serbia

Red Shoes - a very nice winter-hut-like place on river island Ada Ciganlija, famous for their big fireplace and music happenings. Recommended.

Aleksandar Bijelić a.k.a. Bijeli - Head of organization and IT for Merkur in Serbia, member of TEDxBelgrade team and AIESEC International Congress CEO in 2003, excellent networker and a great host, openness that is in several places still missing in Serbia. Time booked for focused discussions, not permitting for more details - of which I am certain there are many interesting.

True. Always. Never forget.

Chive, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Chive - with first mover advantage: the first coffee place in Tehnološki Park (TP) and still the one to meet TP people at for coffee.

Blaž Ravnikar - executive director at Zavod Ypsilon, creating and leading many interesting projects involving ambitious Generation Y members, currently also organizing TEDxYpsilon event in Ljubljana, recently did some DIY work with friends on a neglected vineyard, story that might turn into innovative tourism business. Tight schedule focused on TEDx resulted in scarce info on otherwise no doubt very interesting person. More to be read and heard everywhere.

Later that week somewhere in Belgrade, Serbia. Cool. Otherwise.

Veliki Hong Kong, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Veliki Hong Kong - recently renovated with radically improved service overall satisfaction. Thumbs way up - recommended! Asia on the rise.

Nataša Zuljan - new age entrepreneur in the making, Črnuče Republic native, not related to Bor Zuljan - THE guitarist, finishing post grad entrepreneurship at EF, recently took over family business, renamed it to Mali Traven and is about to launch a new line of products and services, was part of Bag-on-Bag team with THE Miha Artnak and Ecologists Without Borders, design thinking oriented, works also part time for Španski Borci, Supercatering and SMG, Zeitgeist brought her to The Venus Project which ended as her graduation thesis with Tjaša Redek mentor, does not like Talib Damij style, but likes very much Aleš Vahčič who is currently also working on Cloud printing solution, as parallel reader she recently opened Freud basics, Goleman's EQ, Dorian Gray and The 4-hour Workweek and will one day travel the world to see where to develop a sustainable home while continue to help friends the way she does best. Friendly eco-friendly.

Free as in choice, not free as in beer.

Al Caminetto, Vienna, Austria

Al Caminetto - quite popular Italian restaurant in the very centre of Vienna. It first impressed us with speedy delivery supported by hi-tech, only to later let us down by missing out several orders. I guess that's the price to pay to have fully packed place. If you ruffle feathers you get treated with free red wine delivered by the boss himself - "Padrone" Mario Collot. Recommended - by Padrone.

Urban Praprotnik - running expert and coach, grew up in Prebold - home of Bisol, now lives just below Ljubljana castle, currently reading The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted, recently ran Vienna City Marathon under 3:10 as planned, about to have a newborn, delivered a great TEDxLjubljana Talk, one day he will create his own marathon race with low volume classical music all the way, no paid elite participants and free admission,

Hoch-endorphins-platz - group of Slovenian marathon runner in Vienna City Marathon finish area. Relieved and enjoying the sun. Totally recommended.

Damajanty "Na hitro", Ljubljana, Slovenia

Damajanty "Na hitro" - the latest edition in Damajanty "conglomerate". Patchy on the outside and in the service. Wait for 2.0 release of this fast food place. There are alternatives around with all Service Packs already installed. But experience-junkies are in for a treat ...

THE Miha Artnak - Artist, Thinker, Fish, Ljubljana Fužine Hard Core, Radeče Grandma, Philo, Socio, Learning --> Living, Graffiti, Comics, ZEK, ALUO, Who Is The Customer Anyway? ++ Travel For Art Around The Globe. 2 x Diss does not make a Like and Krzysztof Surlit was a Polish footballer.

THE Tito - he existed in the 20th century ...

... and his thesis exists now.

Damajanty, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Damajanty - their first restaurant in the growing empire of heterogeneous businesses. Specialized in grill. Serving mainly guests from nearby hospitals and clinics. Recommended for non-risk-averse. Not handling the "groupon" promotion very well. It seems like a pattern ... BigDeal, 1naDan, Kolektiva and others will need to work harder on the awareness of the staff in restaurants.

Matjaž Šircelj - Entrepreneur & Storyteller, a digital personality, grew up in Zagorje, study-moved to Ljubljana, started as Tech Support at ReproMS and was since heavily involved with Microsoft technology and company - recently as Community Manager, independent freelancer now, consulting and lecturing, recently to Economics students on using Linkedin to quickly land a better job, does long sailing trips, photographs with Nikon, was on photography trips with Arne Hodalič - Montenegro and China among others, reads The 4-hour Workweek and Brian Solis' Engage, is impulsive ebook buyer for his Kindle-on-iPad, it's been a while since he used Shelfari and will one day create another Bill&Melinda-like foundation to support worthy initiatives - as Margaret Mead put it: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Silver shiny Santa - for all seasons of the year. Or just pure negligence on Damajanty part?

Kitajski Dvor, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Kitajski Dvor - one of continuously growing number of Chinese restaurants in Ljubljana. This one offering slow food a.k.a all-you-can-eat on weekdays. There will be many more openings around Polish A-2 highway, once it will be completed by Chinese contractor Covec. Anyway, this one is recommended.

Ana Šinkovec - pianist and philanthropist, grew up in Ljubljana Savsko naselje, to which her joint effort with Trkaj is dedicated, AG graduate, also studied translation and interpretation, worked as writer and Culture Editor for The Slovenia Times, about to embark in postgraduate study with Martin Hughes at Vienna MDW as well as in London Master Course with Ben Zander and Norma Fisher - who she chased around London to get in person audition, founder of Savitra Art organisation - full of good will and intentions, yet dormant at the moment, ran Ljubljanski maraton 21km without much preparation (not recommended), is reading about Superstrings and Pinker's How the mind works, will soon perform at one of next TEDxLjubljana events and in a more distant future help build many schools and hospitals while kick-starting full-fledged Savitra. Music helps knock off attachment shackles.

Vodnikov hram, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Vodnikov hram - another very old (traditional?) restaurant in the old town. Tourist magnet, but not trap. Serves also as business lunch place for nearby Dnevnik office. Good. Recommended.

Robert Zevnik - acting Head of PR at Dnevnik, Gorenjska roots from Cerklje beneath Krvavec, drawn to Ljubljana by study, worked at Vzajemna, then switched suit&tie financial services environment for dynamic-always-chasing-deadlines media company midst, Cotrugli MBA second generation - scholarship winner, did Sadovi Znanja at TV Pika (now POP BRIO) in Live-to-tape (a.k.a. the frugal way) fashion, getting more and more into running, already knee deep in DIY with his flat, reading Delivering Happiness - Zappos story about Profits, Passion and Purpose, did a short analysis of "Slovenian Groupon" shareholders, in love with infographics and will one day actively engage in one of many ideas sprouting continuously in his head. Business Angels and VCs, get in line ...

Switching hands. I'm full - do you want? Oh, thanks. Thanks :)

The green (other)side of Vodnikov hram. Sourcing spot?

Stari Tišler, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Stari Tišler - a nice, very old (traditional?) restaurant in the center. Spacious. With intriguing system of counters for labyrinth of rooms. In need of a proper Process Management System ... Food good, service good. Recommended.

Domen Dolar - Head of Application Development at ZPIZ - the national pension fund, stems from Breg near Žirovnica, spent study years in Ljubljana only to then return close to the roots in Radovljica to nest, his family is also running small hydro-plants, received Masters degree at FRI, worked for ZZI before joined ZPIZ, did a package of parachuting lessons and will soon refurbish that knowledge with a gift voucher, used to travel a lot with his wife Lucija - Alaska, South America, Africa, Japan among others - now they wait for their daughter to grow up a bit to kick start travel itinerary again, recently read: Into the Wild, Chris McCandless Alaska story. One day he will have a hostel or two in Slovenia, full of non-intrusive hi-tech gadgets and applications, written mostly by him. iHostel 3.0. A good friend of mine.

Like, Like, Like. Structured bin for plastic coffee cups. Provided by Automatic Servis at IBM Forum 2011, where Domen also presented their achievements at ZPIZ.

Lanzhou La mian, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Lanzhou La mian - what bushes (Grm) become after they die. La mian is a type of hand-made or hand-pulled Chinese noodle. Lanzhou is the place the owners are coming from - if we understood right = not trivial. The Chinese-food-lover in me would say recommended. Others not necessarily so.

Gregor Beslič - Co-founder and developer at Appoteka - web apps for a better world, makers of Shopamine, Ljubljana roots and leaves, recently married, cooperates with Boundbraker, worked for OpenAd (wiki article is an orphan, so is the company), Klika, Sonce.net and is also a DJ - part of P4B - recently performed at Rogla Freestyle week, reading Enchantment by Kawasaki, believes that intelligent ET species are visiting our planet and had FB account only for testing purposes. After inevitable success of one of his ventures, he will keep funding and supporting interesting ventures. P4F - Place4Funding.

Just like hot-sour soup and Szechuan chicken, a poorly written ads and menus are a must in a proper Chinese restaurant. This one is stretching the still-funny to the limit. Boundbreaker Chinese style.

Od Dans do Jutr, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Od Dans do Jutr - one of the latest incarnations of this corner in Župančičeva jama. Facebook based from start. Serving Cafe Britt from Costa Rica. Or maybe not. But they do make you wait on Cola for ever. And ever.

Hans Houmark - business developer in digital media marketing, grew up in Esbjerg in Denmark, moved to Slovenia as exchange student at EPF in Maribor, stayed for job and anchored for love and now family, worked for Tobačna - 1 year in Belgrade - and ReckittBenckiser, re-acquainting himself with Danish language with daughter Inya, avid cook, used to work in restaurant as a student, reading trilogy by Stieg Larsson, at 45 he will move to the seaside, open a restaurant + hotel with spiritual conference room and maybe start another regional Groupon with a system along the way. Crowd-ooohm.

Supply and demand. Oncology institute in the back, tobacco shop in front. System works.

Plato, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Plato - smack in the center. Upstairs and downstairs. Poshy. A bit. Waiter commented "you'll be sorry" when I did not order a drink with lunch. Attitude?

Matej Delakorda - Project manager interested in personal developement, IT and social change, grew up in Velika Pirešica near Žalec where they have presumably the biggest quarry in Slovenia, surprisingly was never involved in local hops business and doesn't drink beer, graduated in Social sciences at FDV, started working as a volunteer at Kiberpipa, was involved with Bog.si company before joined Studio12 and is also running INePA, genuinely interested in developing human potential, does climbing, basketball and is reading The Divine Matrix, a vegetarian while his father is involved in meat industry, will one day totally devote himself to developing, sharing and demonstrating potential leadership within people. A way to lead indeed.

Matyas Pince, Budapest, Hungary

Matyas Pince - world famous Etterem in the center of Budapest. With wine bottles on top of dancing girls included.

Oliver Senti - WebSphere Tech Professional at IBM in Dubai, moved to Middle East from Zurich where he grew up with Lichtenstein roots, left podcast traces on IBM Schweiz page, his father was also an IBMer, but did not get IBM package for newborn like they do in Poland, worked also for Swisscom, cyclist in Dubai when it's not too hot, shoots with Canon 550D and reads a Frank Schätzing's book. Lots of extra time would make him an expert and even more avid photographer. Click.

Hrvoje Živko - Software Group manager at IBM Croatia, grew up in Vrbovec, moved to Zagreb, worked for Oprema Vrbovec and started in IBM as inside sales rep, has 2 kids, plays Lego Batman and Harry Potter PC games on console with them, played tennis and graduated from dancing with his wife, currently reading Jack Welch's best seller and would - time and money permitting - immediately travel around the world.

Our photographer-du-jour, Achal.