This year’s “Tasting” will feature both restaurants that have regularly participated in the event in the past, offering a special menu, as well as new participants – the Italian pizzeria Quattro mori, and the café Lācēni. In Jelgava, food lovers will be welcomed by the restaurants 8. stāvs, Pilsētas elpa, Central cafe, Chocolate & Pepper, the grill bar & restaurant Parks, the tavern Istaba, the café and bar Jelgavas Ezītis miglā, pizzeria Quattro mori, Noliktava Nr.2, the bistro and pastry shop Silva, as well as the tea house Silva. Meanwhile, in Jelgava Municipality, guests will be welcomed by the restaurants Avlabar, Masti, Aitiņlauvas, and Zemnieka cienasts, the cafés Lācēni and Svētes klubs, as well as Abgunste Manor and Branku Brančotava.
The spring “Tasting” campaign continues an established tradition, offering the opportunity to discover and rediscover the diversity of dining establishments in Jelgava and Jelgava Municipality. However, there will be a new feature this year – all restaurants will offer two- or three-course meals in specific price categories: EUR 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50. Two-course meals will be available in the EUR 20–40 price range; three-course meals in the EUR 25–45 price range; and brunch options will be available for EUR 40 and 50.
On the spring “Tasting” menus, there will be a variety of European cuisine options; for example, the appetisers will feature lightly marinated fresh asparagus with tomato-shallot salsa, fresh cheese-hazelnut cream, spinach, and crispy hard cheese; cream of wild garlic and green pea soup with blue cheese, kale chips, and chilli oil; grilled bell pepper gazpacho with lightly marinated fennel, vegetable salsa, and tiger prawns; fresh vegetable soup, and other appetisers. Among the main courses, there is: parrotfish fillet with morels, cauliflower purée, green asparagus, and a fish stock-citrus sauce; duck breast with steamed vegetables and a rhubarb-honey sauce; pasta pappardelle with grilled quail breast, asparagus, king oyster mushrooms, ricotta, and Parmesan cheese; sous-vide grilled turkey fillet with mashed sweet potato and a spinach-asparagus sauce; or charcoal-grilled eel shashlik with grilled vegetables. For dessert, choose from rhubarb tart with brûléed meringue, rhubarb ice cream and raspberry sauce; quince mousse with egg cream and fresh berries; mousse cake with rhubarb confit and pistachio biscuit; or a pie with apples baked in cognac, as well as many other delicacies. The caterers will also provide spring-themed drinks, such as birch sap lemonade, a refreshing non-alcoholic rhubarb drink, and a non-alcoholic grapefruit Spritz.
You can find the opening hours and menus of the participants in the Spring Tasting Days in Jelgava campaign on the website www.visit.jelgava.lv, on the Facebook and Instagram profiles of Visit.Jelgava, as well as on the Facebook profile of the Jelgava Food and Hospitality Industry Association, Taste Jelgava, and the association’s website, www.tastejelgava.lv.
In early May, the Visit Jelgava Facebook page will also host a contest where you can win the chance to try one of the special “Tasting” offers.
Guests are encouraged to make reservations at restaurants in advance to ensure they can enjoy the prepared offers. It must be noted that some restaurants will offer special meals on specific days of the week. During the “Tasting”, Abgunste Manor will welcome guests for brunch on 10 May; Branku Brančotava on 16 May; the café Svētes klubs will offer dinner on 15 May; the restaurant 8. stāvs and Noliktava Nr.2 will be welcoming guests from Tuesday through Sunday, the pizzeria Quattro Mori – from Thursday through Sunday, and the bistro and pastry shop Silva will be welcoming guests from Monday through Friday.
Tasting Days in Jelgava takes place twice a year – in the spring and autumn. The event is organised by Jelgava Regional Tourism Centre in cooperation with the City of Jelgava, Jelgava Municipality, the Jelgava Food and Hospitality Industry Association, and local food service businesses.
