En Pub, Ljubljana, Slovenia

En Pub - "The true sounds of the suburbs echo around the walls of this extraordinary little place practically non-stop. Leave your gun in the car, clear security and the metal detector, and you’re free to indulge your wildest wishes. Every night is different, from hopelessly sentimental romantic nights of ballads to all-night DJ parties featuring the classic Turbo Folk girls. Refreshment features everything from bottles of ice-cold local beer to cocktails to ice cream, and they even do sandwiches and coffee for party animals who’ve moved on to other places that stay open even longer and come back again early in the morning. For a totally different take on Ljubljana, En Pub simply has to be experienced to be believed." - by InYourPocket Ljubljana

Marin Medak - grew up in Fiesa, roots in Metković in Neretva river delta, the most famous Medak so far, FE graduate in biomedical engineering, regularly posting about his dreams, travels a lot, seen Ecuador and Galapagos, kayak paddled from Slovenia to Zakynthos with original plan to stay for graduation vacation, but love dragged him immediately back, kayaked in South Korea and crossed the Atlantic, reading Karnazes 50/50, knows Igor Stropnik, co-founded Pomagajmo.org akin to VirginMoneyGiving.com, is engaging in public online debates and will one day go into politics.

Fejstmeni, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Fejstmeni - healthy, carefully prepared food offered in this deli with sit-down tasting also possible. There's room for more places like this - Ljubljana needs them. Check and check again. Thumbs up!

Andrej P. Škraba - recent EF graduate, CEO at Skiciraj.si, skilled at SketchUp, asset recently sold by Google to Trimble - it seems it always goes the other way around, born and raised in Ljubljana, somehow related to Urška and Škraba family from Črna vas, will soon attend his first Toastmasters session, critical of current school system, yet finds a bright spot in Rok Stritar's lectures, did himself Mikroekenomija lessons in Khan Academy style, struggled and achieved to set up a fitness studio in the basement, mainly for TRX training, love mountain biking, reads How Life Imitates Chess by Kasparov, recently finished WYSIWYG Alan Sugar's autobiography, just built his reading list for 2013 and would with unlimited resources set up a colony on Mars while instilling love for science to youth through programs like Numberphile, Sixty Symbols and TEDEd.

Maharaja, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Maharaja - a nice twin restaurant, Nepalese and Indian, a recent incarnation of this old place, used to be Šišenski Zvon and before that Majolka and before that - who would know. Tasty, worth a visit and a return and don't have too hungry eyes in the all-you-can-eat setting.

Sam Burstin - viola player with the Philharmonia Orchestra and conductor of the Paradisal Players, "whether wielding baton or bow, Samuel brings huge passion, commitment, expertise and energy to his music-making. He has been a violist in the Philharmonia Orchestra since 2005; he is an award-wining chamber musician; and in 2010 he founded the Paradisal Players, an orchestra of top professional and brilliant amateur players, whom he conducts several times a year in concerts for charities", music runs in the catholic-jewish mixed family though his father Marcus is a physicist, Burstin is a Polish name with Viennese roots,  began playing violin at age 4, studying Suzuki method starting with only bowing and listening, in parallel did sax, piano and singing, football had something to do with the fact that he at some point fell out of love with violin, only to accidentally fall in love with viola and Bach - can play Bach cello stuff on viola, received the most important music education at Trinity College London where they stress depth as well breadth - including the all important listening, after careful selection, 6 months trial and 1 year probation he was accepted into Philharmonia - also helped by his NYO background, ardent Arsenal fan and rugby player - past U17 LondonScottish member, learning to speak Slovenian to even better understand Ana and will one day create opportunity that every single individual on the planet could listen live Mozart, while getting troubled kids and youth from streets through El Sistema-like program as he already worked TEDsters Dudamel and Zander.

Christina, pianist and singer and Marcus, the physicist. Proud parents of an accomplished young musician.

La Storia - Gosposvetska, Ljubljana, Slovenia

La Storia - franchise chain of restaurants, this one is the recent incarnation of a place with a long restaurant tradition on Gosposvetska corner, Evropa building. Up to La Storia image, worth a try, though keep your service expectation a bit lower.

Barbka Pečar - manager and consultant at BK komunikacije, wider Pečar family scattered all over Slovenia, related to Maks Pečar and also to Smrekar family, originally from Ljubljana, used to live in Zambratija several years, worked for Studio Kernel in Koper where team received IABC Gold Quill award, tried Faculty of Law first, then switched to FDV, worked also for Zavod za Turizem Ljubljana - where she worked with Jaka - and Thaler's EON, currently president of IABC Slovenia, developing a new line of Abha sustainable and socially responsible products, did solo singing for 6 years, enjoys immersing into foreign languages and relaxes through language classes, part of a big family, likes to look after nephew Luka, reads marketing books, will start watching TED Talks soon and will one day work Pro bono all the time, helping people with what they need the most and what she can provide most efficiently.

Saporito, Berlin, Germany

Saporito - a very nice authentic, Italian place. Even fully crowded feels good. Worth trying and coming back, too. Pasta e Vino. 

Patrik Winkler - Financial Analyst at German Startups Group, born and raised in Nürnberg, currently lives in Berlin, Winkler Bräu unfortunately not related, studying Business at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität, worked also for Impact IRC and Smart Mobile Factory, studied at Bond University in Australia, recently volunteered at TEDxBerlin, sports guy, reading Never Eat Alone and started reading Paul Graham blog, he could earn his living playing football, will make Before I Die walls in Nurnberg and a bigger one in Berlin, doing also Stanford Venture Lab courses, was inspired by Gloria Lin and Do-Bands, listens to Sinatra and James Brown and will one day devote his energy and ideas to create something to help people, e.g. starting with homeless people in Berlin, while he hates people bitching about life.

Menu in cents. Triple digits delights.

Veritas, Berlin, Germany

Veritas - a classic sportsbar with TV sets in every room, featuring football and other sports. For visitors from non-smoking-in-bars the ever present smoke is rather annoying.

Janko Milunović - entrepreneur, the engine behind KissMenu, lives in Belgrade's Dorcol hood, grandpa Dragiša Milunović among the first to have finished Mašinski Fakultet in Belgrade. Janko used to be a part of Future Biz Innovation team in Sony Professional, studied MBA at Hellenic American University as Karadjordjevic Foundation grantee and received his MSc from EDHEC Business School in France. Basketball and beer are his two passions aside from the Xtreme sports. He does not only support Partizan but loves the club. Janko strives for a day when he will try base jumping, and earn applause as basketball coach in Pionir hall in Belgrade while lecturing strategy at Harvard.

Miloš Došen - Executive Director at Balkan Unlimited Serbia, moved to Belgrade city from Crveni Krst, Došen family in general has a mixed history, BkVF co-founder, served also in several networking and business advisory roles and will one day reform educational and entrepreneurial system in Serbia and in the region.

Meta in bazilika, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Meta in bazilika - a nice place with a sunny terrace, brimming with students, tucked smack in the middle of several Faculties. Recommended, especially on sunny days, though one might want to avoid the most crowded lunch time hours. Thumbs up!

Tina Rozman a.k.a. @tamejhna - grew up in Tržič, not at all related to Franc Rozman Stane, decided for Social Informatics at FDV after considering also Political Science and Art History, works for Radio Terminal - Kino Šiška style music broadcaster, also worked as community manager for Snaga, started heavily tweeting already in secondary school, used to have Canon D40, but a break stopped her photography career in tracks, photographed for KSK, sporadically blogs about events, recently co-founded Vez-je.org and will one day create free hostels all around the world, move to London, Indonesia or US, create many more actions such as Botrstvo and revive Woodstock and LiveAid with a strong philanthropy twist, though not too similar to Žur z razlogom.

Harfa, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Harfa - a really nice place, well worth a visit and a many happy returns. Somewhat odd location is sufficiently compensated by great food and service. Thumbs up!

Ado Hasanović - Software Sales Engineer at Marand, born and raised in Ljubljana with Bihać roots, used to work in Spar store Tech Dept, at Asbis like Erik and at Datacenter before joining Marand, enjoys a good early morning quality car ride without particular destination in mind - akin to motorbike riders, regular renter/racer at Grobnik, knows Burya.eu, actually read about why some people have need for speed and constantly pushing up the hill searching for the thrill of driving, has 2 kids and will one day create a special performance track-day car. Does not support street racing, he would invest in first racing circuit in Slovenia.

Trdinov Hram, Mengeš, Slovenia

Trdinov hram - a Mengeš staple with a long tradition and recently frequent management change, still serving decent meals and often hosting interesting bunch of actors from the nearby Špas Teater, including Lado Bizovičar.

Jasmina Božič - biopharmacy dept member at Lek/Sandoz, born in Kranj, raised in Ljubljana with Štajerska accent, Biotech graduate, engaged in quality assurance of EPO production, recently became one of the newest TEDxLjubljana members, loves sea and swimming, as a multi-sportswoman accepts any invitation to try new disciplines, travels a lot, bungee jumped off of 216 m Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa, met Aleš through common Prežih friends and later hence attended her first TEDx event, reading The First 90 Days, was actor in Lutkovno gledališče years ago and will one day take the team she just left, create a new company and help in bio-pharma sense society with skills that they have, enhanced with unlimited resources.

El Clasico, Ljubljana, Slovenia

El Clasico - A very nice place. Crowded during business lunch hours. Recommended. "The restaurant El Clasico offers their guest a genuine duel of tastes between the Mediterranean and traditional Slovene dishes. The variety and refinement of the dishes leave the guests wanting more." - by SloveniaHolidays.com

Rok Gregorič - co-founder and CTO at DoubleRecall, Primorska native, born in Ptuj, raised in Koper, moved with DoubleRecall to Palo Alto, San Francisco, New York and now back in SF, after he started fiddling with iPhone Apps met Robert Farazin, they started Mmatcher together with Rok Krulec and Miha Rebernik, experienced venture promise without delivery, turned idea into DoubleRecall, had it up and running at finance.si and dnevnik.si, gained interest and later backing by business angel investor turned entrepreneur Branko Drobnak, Y Combinator Alum, met Kurzweil's son at Demo day, helps and supports other young startups with valuable advice, recently read Kurzweil's Transcend and embarking on a new startup journey called Dubjoy, akin to 99designs in the wolrd of dubbing. Startup motor, oil and fuel in one person.

Restavracija 168, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Restavracija 168 - a big Chinese restaurant on Celovška street next to McDonalds. One of many reincarnation of this place. All you can eat and a really vast place/dome. With good and bad sides on both accounts.

Igor Maher - project manager and business consultant at Igea, born and raised in Maribor, moved to Tacen Police Academy, did a favour to Lenček and hence ended in Koper, not a uniform type, continued at EPF in Maribor, working in TV studio at the Academy, shifted him to Informatics, worked for Simt and Metalka MDS as crisis manager, also at Koper Municipality on GIS projects and lecturing all around the world on best practices from that area, was part of Tomaž Gantar for Piran mayor campaign camp, still active on LGV civic list, starting Cotrugli EMBA, was active competitive skier - picked it up again after 20 year break, grows olives, reading Business Model You - though this time not on iPad like so many other books e.g. Kirschner's Art of Egoism, member of Lions, will one day repay all bad loan of everybody around him and stop the negative spiral and turn the wheel in positive direction.

Bistro Avšič - restaurant and pizzeria near Koseze pond, briefly featured but later removed from Restaurant Club. Service sometimes below optimal.

Matjaž Marussig - independent software vendor, Marussig family stems from 17 century Istria, yet he was born and raised in Ljubljana, Oracle Tools professional, FME graduate, 2 kids, founder of Bravo society section and Oblačna šola, working with dyslectic children, passionate diver, reading String theory and Brian Greene and will one day create new school system, rip-and-replace style, akin to Sir Ken Robinson's vision.

Cafe Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Cafe Ljubljana - convenient location on Gosposvetska in center of Ljubljana, other than that no bling-blings, just coffee or tea and a bunch of Foursquare check-ins.

Ana Skrt - journalist at Radio Slovenia - Prvi program, raised in Kanal ob Soči - a typical market town, with below average Italian language usage due to weak Italian TV signal, but which is not Most na Soči, Skrt is a native name from a hill above where also not related pianist Ivan Skrt is coming from, FDV graduate, Erasmus Exchange in Eskisehir started with a tough week , but brought her invaluable comparative insight, Lisbon was her second Erasmus choice - wanted seaside so bad, she would study Portuguese for that, worked for Radio Koper before moving to the national radio, she really wanted and now is finally doing night program, loves to travel and continuously search for interesting topics and people, reading Mojca Širok Oblast brez obraza and will one day have a Mojca Mavec Čez planke-style show enabling her to meet even more new and interesting people and places.

Kavarna Rustika, Mercator Center, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Kavarna Rustika, Mercator Center - for chocolate and ice cream lovers or just a nice cup of coffee after  exhaustive shopping. Relax and pump up the sugar in your life.

Barbara Kotlušek -  CEO & Founder at Zaposlim delodajalca, born and raised in Ljubljana, mother from Carinthia, lives in Vnanje Gorice, misses city life, but enjoys garden grill benefits of a house, all Kotlušeks in Slovenia presumably related including Olympian Nada, graduated at FDV, worked for Lenovo, freelance marketing professional, might end up in HR 2.0 area, differentiates job seeking space through mini/maxi challenges (izzivi), once sent ice-picker to mayor Janković as an ice-breaker and got the meeting, has 2-yer old daughter, had opportunity to think about what she would do if she had more time = seamstress, once wanted to be a hairdresser, reading Vesna Milek's Kalipso, will one day write books, starting with a biography, while starting up additional projects.

Cafe Antico, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Café Antico - "A Parisian feel exudes from every pore of Café Antico. Popular with middle-aged couples out for a balloon or two of quality wine as well as a more younger set of chic young urbanites, the happy proprietor serves up the world’s top 40 cocktails alongside the aforementioned wine and a few well chosen bottles of cold beer, plus there are a few snacks on hand to keep the hunger away including traditional Slovene food, sweet croissants and home-made struddle. Check out the interesting room for two people." by InYourPocket

Matjaž Lipuš - senior web developer at Celtra, a successful rich media mobile advertising start-up with Slovenian roots, FERI graduate, worked for Intera and Flowr (recently reincarnated in Zeppelin), along the way created xo-game.com, reading Scala in action, commuting on Ptuj-Ljubljana relation, many times with Matej Rifelj and will one day provide incubator style help to up and coming start-ups through angel investor activity. Opportunities abound.

Rožna Hiša, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Rožna Hiša - "We've always had the impression that this is one of the places Slovene university professors like to take visiting academics for a relaxed meal their first day in town. The menu has a bit of everything, the prices are reasonable and whole place has a warm congenial atmosphere that's conducive to lingering over a post-meal espresso or bottle of wine - especially when sitting outside on a warm night. Of course, the fact that it's located in Rožna Dolina, a quiet university neighbourhood, might have something to do with it as well." - by InYourPocket

Zoran Arsov - researcher and project manager at IJS, born in Ljubljana, raised in Domžale and Trzin, Macedonian Arsov roots, Physics graduate, PhD in biophysics at FMF, works also as an assistant at FMF and FFA, has 3 kids, enthusiastic basketball player, does not read fiction very often, TED fan, recently discovered TEDxLjubljana and will one day hire top worldwide professors, move them to Ljubljana to motivate and open minds of future generations. Knowledge Prometheus on the sunny side of the Alps.

Hurricane's Grill, Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia

Hurricane's Grill at Bondi - "Forget everything else at this rowdy Roscoe Street eatery and go for one of Sydney's best racks of pork ribs: they're tender, tangy, messy and addictive. Half a rack is enough for most mortals, but if you're ravenous, go the whole 'hog' (a whole rack) or choose one of the combos that also gives you steak or chicken. The lamb racks are also tasty, if not as moist as their piggy counterparts. Hurricane's is big, noisy and crowded, so book ahead if you don't want to wait, and ask for an outdoor table if you want serenity. If you haven't booked, the airy bar is a comfortable spot to socialize in while waiting for your turn at the tables." - by http://www.yourrestaurants.com.au

Rick Southwick - bespoke jeweler, born and raised in Gravesend in Kent, UK, moved to Melbourne with 8 years as the parents did not see the future too bright in UK, now lives in Sydney, David's housemate, his great-grand father knew Gandhi, wanted to be in air force and cartoonist, but accidentally ended up in jewelry business for which he developed true passion when he was mentored by Master Graham Whitehead in London, recently launched new ricksouthwick.com.au site, has his alter ego in form of Desmond the robot, who gets to say things Rick can't, about to become official Aussie citizen, avid surfer and diver, has a daughter, loves Apple experience like millions of other Aussie iPhone users, recently read Bryson's At Home and will one day have a franchise of affordable high quality jewelry schools for really passionate ones. With Zed being managing partner, of course. 

See through kitchen, where rib magic happens. 

Fratelli Fresh CBD, Sydney, Australia

Fratelli Fresh - "Upgrade your supermarket sushi and throw away that sloppy pad Thai. Lunchtime just took on a brand new meaning with the opening of Fratelli Fresh and Café Sopra on Bridge Street in the CBD. It’s just like the other venues in Walsh Bay, Waterloo and Potts Point, in that it’s one part fruit and vegetorium (Fratelli Fresh) and part casual restaurant/trattoria (Café Sopra). But that’s where the similarities end." - by TimeOut Australia

David Šimenc - Slovenian Aussie, product logistics manager at epay, a Euronet division, born and raised in Kranj - Primskovo, lived also in Kampala, London and now Bondi Beach in Sydney, while Šimenc family roots are in Češnjevek, worked for Edirisa's Miha Logar at Lake Bunyoni, managed hostel, was swimming instructor, befriending UN team got him into Congo, hitchiked from Uganda to South Africa, but never reached it, worked for 1927 in London, entagling with an Aussie girl moved them both to Sydney, worked for Line7, Trixan and opened his own OZshop site, recently became proper Aussie citizen in Waverly Council ceremony, surfer, swimmer, climber, snowboarder, traveller and Aussie party-maker/goer, reading and recommends Life of Pi and will one day have an island in South Pacific with an interesting resort - natural, yet western-ish clean and structured, while involved in side projects not unlike bee-keeping in Uganda, he did once.

Duna Imbiss Kebab, Kamnik, Slovenia

Duna Imbiss Kebab - presumably the best kebab in town - Kamnik. When hungry in Kamnik that is definitely the place you want to check out and try it. Their own special is called King Kebab. To many returning visitors deservedly so.

Luka Pitamic - designer, artist, entrepreneur, born and raised in Novo Mesto, related to Leonid Pitamic, recently launched Nessy, Ghee.si and Tepka.si, FMF physics graduate, co-organized Sniff Film Festival, helped manage Dan D band, is not on Linkedin yet, was on Slovenian Downhill biking team, does photo exhibitions, involved in fine arts and music production, travels in "Van me, I'm famous", just read The Lean Startup and would not like to end up with too much money - actually it's one of his biggest fears. There are sure many who can alleviate that threat once it appears.

Venizens united.

Za pumpo, Ljubljana, Slovenia

Za pumpo - a nice simple restaurant behind Petrol gas station on Tržaška street. Busy during lunch hours, not too good with parking, great on sunny days. Recommended to try. See if it fits. 

Edvard Kurnik - sales professional and internet entrepreneur, recenlty launched FormulaKonverzije.com,  born and raised in Maribor - Tezno, now lives in Slivnica, studied at Academia.si, started ExploreSlovenia.si and was ignited by Rok Hrastnik lectures, took 1 year StomperNet.com course, worked for KeterOrganica and Mladinska Knjiga, recently attended an event by Maria Andros a.k.a. Video Marketing Queen, cooperates with BMC International, has 1 son, travelled a lot, hitchiked all the way to Nordkapp, loved Bora Bora and Maldives, while also enjoyed snorkling on the border of Kenya and Tanzania, used to play bass guitar in rock band Kino with which they actually achieved #1 spot on some radio stations in Pomurje, reads Carlos Castaneda, while Richard Bach's Illusions are his all time favourite, without day-to-day limitations he would still help people be better sellers and continue launching new trend projects.