Don't blink. You will miss this place. And if you do blink, turn around and go back. Seriously, turn on the left turn blinker, check your blind spot, move into the left turn lane, and make a u turn. Like now. This is a place you don't want to miss.
Historically, strip malls are know for bargain priced knick knacks, off brand clothing, and mediocre greasy food. Old Town Sarajevo takes all of those preconceived notions and shatters them in one authentic Bosnian cultural experience.
Opening the front door you are greeted with the sweet sound of Bosnian music, quaint village decor, and the haunting aroma of fried bread. Think the brighter, more delicious, less pirate, Bosnian version of Pirates of the Caribbean.
Our fantastic server greeted us, gave us recommendations (the cevapi and the spinach pita), and we ordered. Little did we know that those would be some of the last words we would utter before our mouth eyes were opened to the beautiful world that is Bosnian cuisine.
Our food arrived and there before me was my cevapi, a mountain of glistening bread!!! Bread! Glorious BREAD!!! My heart was overjoyed with the appearance of this glorious dish, I picked up the fork and knife presented to us, and as I cut in to the dish, there, inside the bread was a heap of Bosnian sausage!!! Sausage! Glorious SAUSAGE!!!
Upon my first bite, my world was flipped upside down. Suddenly all of my maps were centered around southeastern Europe. Suddenly my words no longer worked, all I was capable of was continuing to eat,
And eat.
And eat.
There was ruckus in the restaurant (a drunk and disorderly patron bad mouthed the Bosnian culture and was immediately confronted by other patrons and escorted out by the restaurants owners) so our server treated us to dessert on the house. You guessed it: it was delicious.
I must admit, I am relatively ignorant to Bosnian culture, but one trip to Old Town Sarajevo and I am convinced that I have been missing out. Old Town Sarajevo, thank you.