Going to Toscana restaurant was not planned but rather a random choice on a sunny Sunday afternoon when, in an empty Sofia, we were looking for a nice place to sit outside. Neither of us had ever been there before but we had passed by when searching for a parking space near the National Palace of Culture (NDK). It is in an impressive, fully renovated building and one could see that its owners have spared little expense on it. 

On that day we were the only customers in the garden (which is not exactly a garden as there are just a few plants here and there) welcomed by a polite hostess who offered us the choice of first looking around inside and then making our decision. We were the first ones to arrive as the place opens at noon. Despite the lack of green areas in the garden, the predominantly white colour of the cushions and the tablecloths do create a nice feeling of cleanliness, an uncommon sight in Sofia where most establishments bet on good old wooden tables outside. Once the menus were delivered, almost immediately after we sat down, the waiter gave us enough time to finish our conversation and go through the menu so that we were ready with our choice.

Judging by the name Toscana, the menu focuses on Italian cuisine with the obligatory pasta, risotto and Mediterranean fish. The dessert section is also Toscana-orientated with the panforte classico or panforte al cioccolato good choices. Those looking for a light lunch, however, as we were on that Sunday afternoon, could not go wrong with the chicken soup. Popular dishes such as soups and salads always make for a good comparison exactly because they are frequent choices. And I must say that Toscana rates as one of the best places for ordering a chiken soup. It has nothing to do with the crystal-clear water bullions most places would offer but a dish that could easily qualify as a main course, with its 300g enough to satisfy a hungry customer. The chicken is cut into small cubes and clearly carefully selected by the chef.

Another popular choice is the Caesar salad where, again, Toscana impresses with the choice of iceberg lettuce as opposed to leafy lettuce. Salad portions are generous (350-400g) but no so large as to prevent you from ordering something else on the menu. Being in a place called Toscana one inevitably tends to try something under that name. This was one of our choices on our second visit. Because it was about to rain we used the opportunity to see the place from inside and we were not disappointed. Well furnished, the inside of the restaurant has a cosy atmosphere suitable for good conversation. Tables are large enough to accommodate four adults and are sufficiently separated for conversations to remain private.

The Toscana chicken (450g) is a good choice for a main course although, at first sight, the accompanying bacon could suggest that it would be greasy and a bit heavy for the time of year. Nothing like that. The bacon and the Parmesan cheese only add to the dish flavour without dominating over the chicken fillet. A good alternative to chicken is fiore rolls (250g) with zucchini, salmon, Philadelphia cheese and lettuce.

Quality service in Toscana’s case, however, comes at a price. The restaurant is one of the more expensive in Sofia and Bulgaria. The chicken soup, for example, is 5.10 leva, while salads vary from 6.20 leva to 8.20 leva. The Toscana chicken is 15.90 leva, the fiore roll cost 7.90 leva, the fortissimo beef steak is 31.60 leva and the lasagne bolognese is 8.30 leva. When it comes to wines, the place offers a rich collection of Bulgarian and foreign vintages with some foreign ones priced at several hundred leva a bottle.

And if the high price can be justified by the good service and attitude, Toscana’s owners would be advised to reconsider the situation regarding parking. The place is in an area where parking is almost impossible and it does offer a parking space but only for a certain fee. Given that the bill for four easily reaches 100 leva and more,charging customers a parking fee should not be a priority. 

Overall: 5/6
Service: 6/6
Atmosphere: 5/6
Food: 6/6
Price:$$$$ ($ up to 12 leva a person for three courses; $$ 12 to 20 leva pp; $$$ 20 to 35 pp; $$$$ 35 and over pp)

Address:
3 Verila Str
Tel: 02/ 952 64 92
0897 870 553
Open: every day, noon to midnight
Credit cards: yes