Cookó  rating by the 5D Sensograph of placescases.com: 4.6 out of 5

June 2023

Seen              

Felt                 

Heard                    

Smelled         

Tasted           

     

Reading time: 5 min

You don’t have 5 min to read? Then try the fast mode, go only through bold and colored text: 3 мин.

You don’t have 3 min to read? See the short movie further below: 2:07min.

Cookó is located in a key location in the center of Sofia. The intersection of “Denkoglu” and “Hristo Belchev”. While we were having lunch in it, every driver of a car passing by on the street looked to see what this new place was, because it stood out sharply from the surrounding buildings with its modern style. But it was with this modern style that we had a slight failure, read on what it was.

See Cookó …

To be honest, I’m not too sure how to pronounce the name, maybe Cucoo with an accent on the O. It’s a slight problem for remembering the restaurant and for the word of mouth. I don’t feel like going into details, so as not to give wrong ideas.

… In fact, the premises turned out to be both a restaurant, a lobby bar and a reception desk of the Juno Hotel;

… Very nice, simple, modern interior. Avant-garde figures straight at the entrance (apparently with the idea of Instagram photos) and a canvas on the wall behind the reception;

… Rich wine and interesting cocktail list.

… Good menu, it shows an effort to present Bulgarian cuisine, but in a modern style.

Feel Cookó …

… Week UX.

As we approached, we saw a large wooden panel, which we took to be the door of the establishment. But it was by no means clear how it would be opened. It turned out that this was indeed the door of the restaurant, but there was no indication where its handle was, how it was supposed to be opened, whether it was pushed or pulled. When we tried to push, pull, nothing happened. It was quite heavy and gave the illusion that it could not move. I had to call them on the phone to ask if they were working as there weren’t many people inside and asked them to open.

Apart from us, other people tried to enter and gave up. I imagine how many people will do the same. What’s more, the area abounds with competitive dining options.

The problem with a modern and clean interior of this type is that it sometimes lacks good UX. Good UX assumes that the user doesn’t have to think too much about simple actions like opening and closing a door, especially if it is the entrance of a public place.

A heart falls down for the lack of indication and even the slightest guidance as to where the entrance is and how in fact to enter.

… The waiter did a very good job – pleasant service, polite, shows respect for the customer, but also for the work of his colleagues;

… I didn’t like that despite a pretty good wine list there were only 3 wine options by the glass – one for white, in this case Chardonnay, one for Rosé and one for Red.

A restaurant with such level and a good wine list should have modern systems for closing bottles and storing their contents to expand the wine offerings by the glass.

Another heart dropped for this.

Hear Cookó …

… Funk, chill, soul- very pleasant, makes you want to stay.

Movie watching time: 2:07 min.

Smell Cookó …

… Due to the limited selection of wine by the glass, I was forced to drink a Chardonnay with a rather rich nose of new oak, which I did not imagine as a combination with the food we ordered;

… Fresh aromas of parsley and fennel in the crispy tripe, combined with the slightly tart smell of the tomato sauce.

Taste Cookó …

… Green salad with a crispy egg – it’s really different, with a variety of herbs and an egg in a crispy breading with a slightly runny yolk – it was wonderful!

… The crispy tripe was breaded – I think it was more fatty, but the slightly sour sauce helped to not feel the fat so sharply;

… The kachamak with cheese on top and mushrooms inside was a good idea – it will be interesting for foreigners to try.

Kachamak is Bulgarian style of polenta. There is usually fried butter on top, white cheese and greaves.

… The chocolate mousse dessert with salt was nice;

… On the table there is a container with French coarse salt, which always makes a good impression, as well as the taste of the dish.

 

I would visit Cookó again and try the cocktails this time because they made a very good impression on me as described.

How to get to Cookó?

Just use the Google map here by clicking on the red pin of its location and then select directions:

A: ul. “Ivan Denkoglu” 40, 1000 Sofia Center, Sofia

T: +359 24897001

Opening hours: 07:00- 23:00- probably the hotel’s breakfast is served here, hence the early opening time.

How to book your stay?

You can book your stay right here. For your convenience, I have added a booking.com box, which refers directly to their site. I guarantee you’re going to use all your genius discounts and privileges they would offer to you and I will get a modest commission. Just enter the dates of your trip, the place, then hit the Search button and voila.

Booking.com

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Do you ever wonder how some places differ so much from others in service, environment, as an overall experience? This means you are also interested like me in the topic of The Experience Economy by Joseph Pine and James Gilmore. I constantly add to my collection reviews about those of them, which practice its principles, regardless of intentionally or accidentally. If you are curious to understand which they are, explore category The Experience Economy.