Motovun-based Mondo tavern is the best little restaurant you may never reach, but it offers an experience as it should be felt in the “Old world”, writes the New York Times in its Travel issue on Sunday, lining the best recommendations for American tourists: Motovun, Istria and Croatia.

Describing Istria, the newspaper compares it to Tuscany 50 years ago, claiming this part of Croatia was the closest to Italy, beautiful, cheap and mostly free of hordes of tourists which spoil so many “postcard views” in Italy.

The Mondo tavern in located on a slope outside the large gate to the wonderful, medieval town of Motovun, Kabir Chibber, tourist reporter of the NY Times writes, describing Motovun and the 30-minute climb up its narrow, cobbled streets.

Pointing out the pleasant atmosphere of the tavern and its offer of local food, he recommends the beef carpaccio with shavings of black truffles, polenta with truffles and the tagliatelle in truffles sauce, of course.

Breathtaking scenery

Truffles are abundant in the surroundings of Motovun and are collected by hunters with trained dogs or pigs, the author goes on.

The US reporters also praises the friendly multi-lingual waiter Nikola, who helped him chose the right wine from the list of local white wines from the menu.

Main courses range from 65 to 140 kunas, which is 11 to 25 dollars, unbelievably cheap compared to expensive dishes in Italy.

Recommending breathtaking scenery after a good meal, the NY Times concludes that it is not surprising why Italians say that Croatia is the best place for a dream vacation.

As one of the more wanted touristic destinations on the American market, Croatia is often written about in tourism press and specialised issued of US newspapers, among which the New York Times is the most often. The paper previously featured Dubrovnik, Zadar, lighthouses and other Croatian destinations. Croatian Tourist Board in New York largely contributes to such a Croatian presence in the American media and in the offer of travel agents.