"5"^^ . "2014-04-07T00:00:00"^^ . "2"^^ . . "7"^^ . "After many visits here I am thrilled to discover many delicious dishes from several regions around the world, along with a darn tasty spice blend, great atmosphere, and excellent service.\n\nEveryone starts with house-made bread, the Bulgarian spice mix and olive oil. The spice blend (15 herbs and spices) is for sale in cute jars for $6 each. This is a great gift for friends or for yourself! I have even used these spices to coat raw cashews (using coconut oil) which make for a great snack!\n\nI have successfully shared the joy of Forte with friends, family, and other visitors alike, from vegetarian to carnivore. Last night I learned that Forte could make Eric R. a fan of octopus, which he never enjoyed before. My friends have really enjoyed the sausages made in house, but since I don't eat pork I am not able to tell you how they taste.\n\nDishes I have tried:\nShopska Salad: basic salad covered in shredded Bulgarian feta. Tasty but simple.\n\nFetamelon Salad: special in spring 2014. Huge portion of watermelon squares, Bulgarian feta, mint, and chopped red onion. Very refreshing but needs people for sharing!\n\nCalamares Rellenos en su Tinto: Stuffed squid marinated in its own ink on Spanish herb rice. Room temperate squid, tasty and different.\n\nOctopus in Olive Oil: super tender octopous on top of warm rice with green onions, served with lemon. Truly outstanding though simple, converted a non-octopus eater.\n\nBeef and Lamb Confit: beef and lamb that melts in the mouth cooked in its own juices and fat on top of the Uzbeki Plov rice - I ordered the rice dish separately once with a veg friend but just get it here. The meat juices coat the rice, which has dried cranberry and cornichons. Love this dish!\n\nAdjarski Khachapurri: bread boat with cheese topped with raw egg at table that cooks on the bread because it is so hot. This is very delicious but hard to split, so at most 2 people should share one or it loses the fun. Sooooo delicious.\n\nThracian Clay Pot: Peppers, tomato, onion, feta, and egg baked together (with sausage typically but I ordered one without, no problem). Served in a beautiful traditional pot, though all serveware is Bulgarian. This is topped with a serrano pepper for some nice heat!\n\nStuffed grape leaves: meat-filled and served warm with a delicious dill yogurt sauce. Dip the homemade bread in the sauce after the dolmas are gone!\n\nBeef stroganoff ragu: wild mushroom dumplings topped with a beef strogranoff ragu is one of Eric R.'s faves (he loves stroganoff in general). Very rich sauce.\n\nVareniki: my favorite simple housemade dumplings stuffed with potato, topped with fried diced onions. So good it converted 2 non-potato eaters!\n\nBiscuit cake: dessert for David S.'s birthday. Honey biscuits, mascarpone, walnuts, chocolate - tasty! I would rather eat more savory food than sweets though if I had the option! :)\n\nThere is more for me to try but I never leave without flavors dancing in my palate."^^ . . . "8"^^ .