Where Did Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson Dine on Hvar?

Yesterday was Stari Grad day with the last recordings for the Total Hvar daily radio show which starts at midday on Sunday, and will provide the first ever tourist information service in English on Hvar radio. It will be on Megamix Radio Hvar on 95.4 in Hvar Town and 94.7 for the rest of Dalmatia. There was also a very productive meeting for funding for the tourism festival in Norway in October, an excellent lunch with probably the best bowl of soup I have ever had in a Hvar restaurant (blog coming soon). 

And a beer with Silvija. 

I was keen to learn more about what she would be cooking for the lavender festival on her stall this Saturday, but we ended up also talking about the history of her excellent restaurant which counts King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson among its guests (Stari Grad photographer Petar Botteri has a photograph of the couple in the town). 

The restaurant is Jurin Podrum in the heart of the old town, a few metres from another Stari Grad culinary institution, Antika. Those familiar with the restaurant may be a bit surprised to see the photo above, taken in 1917, and the location of the original restaurant.  

The restaurant opened in 1917 under the name Kavana Beograd (Café Belgrade) and the name underneath K. Pavičić was the first generation of the family to run the restaurant. Silvija took over its running a few years ago, and is a fourth generation restauranteur.

The original restaurant was on the terrace to the left of the current entrance, and the current name of the establishment, Jurin Podrum (literally Jure's Basement), has its origins in the decision to move the restaurant downstairs by Silvija's father Jure. 

A great restaurant with a very cool owner, and if you are in search of vegetarian options, they have some of the best (and most interesting) selection available. As to what is being prepared for the lavender festival, something very interesting indeed, the subject of another blog...