Light Dinner for the Whole Family
After staying home in recent months, probably some of us have gained weight. Well, although the threat of COVID-19 has not yet completely passed, the total isolation is over and we can now move on. To make it easier to deal with the weight, we at Art Hotel Simona will help you.
What is a healthy dinner?
The great taste is not necessarily associated with many hours in the kitchen. And one more thing, according to experts, the right diet is essential not only for our top form, but also for the good state of our mind. It is now clear why it is so important to treat food with care.
A healthy dinner should provide approximately between 20% and 30% of the energy contribution of the day. Although it is true that at night we will not burn the same calories as during the rest of the day, our body continues to work and therefore it is necessary to provide the necessary amount of energy. It is important to note that whether it is lunch or dinner, our menu must include fruits and vegetables, whole grains and protein.
Quick options for a light summer dinner that the whole family will love
*Rules:
- Half a plate of fruits or vegetables;
- A quarter plate of whole grains;
- A quarter of a plate of protein.
Salmon with vegetables
Who doesn’t like salmon?! It is very tasty, easy for preparating and it has the highest level of Omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon is considered one of the foods that increase the body’s defenses.
Recommendation: Put salmon fillets in aluminum foil and put vegetables next to them – tomatoes, asparagus or broccoli. Put in the oven for a few minutes and you’re done.
Eggs with vegetables
Eggs are among the favorite products in Bulgarian cuisine for several reasons. Light food that is prepared quickly and tastes great. You can also experiment as you see fit.
If you’re hungry and can’t wait for a more complicated recipe, just bet on scrambled eggs to which you can add vegetables or mushrooms. We just want to remind you that the recommended amount of eggs per week is 7.
Recommendation: Use mushrooms and fresh garlic to make scrambled eggs.
Vegetable cream soup
Soups are great for dinner because they are light and combine a mix of flavors. A good cream soup will tickle your palate and you will want more of it. Light, very simple and with many options. Among the very interesting soups is the one made of pumpkin, carrots and cheese, which you will fall in love with. If you are a fan of cream soups, we believe that the classic potato cream soup is also your favorite. Just boil the vegetables well, mash, add a little butter and milk, salt, pepper…
Favorite salads
Any improvisations with lettuce and iceberg are great for dinner. If you prefer something else, we believe that during the summer there are tomatoes and cucumbers in every home, so here’s another idea – everyone’s favorite Shopska salad. Another slightly richer option is the Shepherd’s salad (Ovcharska salad).
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If you prefer to enjoy the pleasant emotions, let us in the Simona Restaurant to take care of the delicious end of the day. You can choose from a bunch of temptingly delicious offers in the artistic and cozy atmosphere with us. We promise you will be satisfied, because for us cooking is not just cooking delicious food, but – art.
Romantic Escape From the Routine in Art Hotel Simona
Valentine’s Day is long gone, but it doesn’t mean we should forget about romance until next year on the same date. Therefore we offer you a great dinner in Simona Restaurant and unforgettable emotions in the romantic rooms of Art Hotel Simona ***. Give yourself memories – ones that will be remembered for a long time!
In fact, the very stay of a couple in a hotel evokes associations with romance. And the secret is not necessarily in the leaves of roses scattered on the floor, or breakfast in the bed. It’s all about sharing time with your loved one, so really enjoy it.
Symbolism of Colors
Have you ever wondered what our life would be like without colors – only black and white?! Too boring, isn’t it?! The colors are beautiful and help we can express ourselves, our essence and artistry.
Colors can generally be classified into two groups – warm and cold. And when we talk about romance, passion and love, we definitely do not deal with cold shades. We think mostly of red, pink, orange, but we can add a few more.
The red
is known as the color of strong emotions, life and love. Attractive and very provocative, acts on lovers as an explosive substance. Energy flows from it and it seems to have some magical charge. For the Jews it was a symbol of sin, in ancient Egypt it was associated with violence and cruelty, and in China with life. Psychology strongly confirms that red has the power to influence our moods, perceptions and actions.
The pink one
evokes romance and a desire for intimacy. It can be defined as the color of unconditional love, understanding and concern for the other. As a result of the combination of red and white, pink combines the eroticism of red and the innocence of white. And the darker the pink, the more passion his energy has. According to psychology, pink brings hope, calm and sensuality. Saturated shades are a signal of flirtation, debauchery and a slight madness.
The orange
is not the color that we initially define as romantic, but it is warm and communicative. Gives more confidence, optimism and self-confidence. It embodies a balance between consciousness and libido. Stimulates trust and a sense of wholeness. It creates an unadulterated feeling of warmth and, unlike red, no matter how intense the orange, it cannot acquire aggressive energy.
Pastel colors,
delicate light tones have the ability to soothe, while creating mood and harmony. In combination with floral motifs they give a special romance. A similar feeling can be achieved with ivory and purple.
And here are some of the romantic offers of Art Hotel Simona:
The whole hotel provides guests with a fascinating art adventure with a romantic touch. Art Hotel Simona offers the perfect escape from the boring reality. And you can add a delicious romantic menu in the cozy art atmosphere of the Simona Restaurant, too.
The Oldest Restaurants in the World (PHOTOS)
Nowadays, new restaurants are constantly appearing, offering a variety of menus and interesting interiors. However, according to research, 60% of them fail in the first year, and 80% of them – in the first 5 years. And yet there are some who have withstood the changes, competition and high demands of customers for many years. That’s why we present 7 of the oldest restaurants in the world, collected by the site oldest.org.
The Oldest Restaurants in the World
St. Peter Stiftskeller, Salzburg, Austria (803)
Would you believe that this place open for the first time in 803?! In fact, this is the year in which the restaurant was first mentioned by an English scholar who served Emperor Charlemagne. So it may have existed before. That is why St. Peter Stiftskeller is considered to be the oldest not only in Europe but in the whole world.
The building in which it is housed has undergone many renovations over time, but much of the original vision has been preserved because it is carved into the stone rocks. And here’s something else quite impressive – people like Mozart and Christopher Columbus had been eat in this inn.
However, do not adjust that you will now be greeted with dishes popular centuries ago. The restaurant serves traditional Austrian dishes with a modern European look from locally produced products. And if you want to try the specialties there, you will probably be able to book a table for the next day.
Zum Franziskaner, Stockholm, Sweden (1421)
Compared to St. Peter Stiftskeller Zum Franziskaner is brand new because it exists since 1421. It was founded by German monks, with the permission of King Eric of Pomerania. The food served in the restaurant combines the German roots of the founders with the aromas of the local Scandinavian cuisine.
However, we must make one clarification – Zum Franziskaner is not located in its original building. However, food and drink have remained the same as nearly 600 years ago. So here you can try a unique country sausage, Bavarian roast pork or venison with some of the typical German beers.
Honke Owariya, Kyoto, Japan (1465)
A little more than 40 years after the appearance of the Swedish Zum Franziskaner the Japanese had opened a similar place. Honke Owariya in Kyoto began operating in 1465 as a confectionery shop, moved from the Owari region. Initially, it became popular with its rice cakes, but gradually began to make Soba noodles (with high-quality buckwheat flour). The real secret of the special taste of this dish of theirs to this day is in the clear water of Kyoto, according to the team of the current restaurant.
La-Tour-d’Argent, Paris, France (1582)
This is a restaurant with Michelin stars – three at a time, but in 1996 it lost one of them, and ten years later it parted ways with another one star. The administration claims that among their former clients are King Henry IV. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Marlene Dietrich and Charlie Chaplin. One thing is for sure, the restaurant has been making Parisian dinners special since 1582.
Zur Letzten Instanz, Berlin, Germany (1621)
Another great place with an impressively long history. And for eating there you will not have to wait so long because you could usually book a table for the next day. Clients in the past included Napoleon Bonaparte, Ludwig van Beethoven, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Although the building is one of the oldest in Berlin, it was renovated in 1963 after being severely damaged during World War II. For this reason, the interior is not entirely authentic, but the current design reflects the style of the original tavern from 1621.
White Horse Tavern, Rhode Island, USA (1673)
The building was built in 1652 and in 1673 was sold to William Mace, who opened a tavern. As the building is quite large, it was used at times as a court, town hall and meeting place for the Rhode Island General Assembly. It even served to separate British and American troops during the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783).
The place was restored in 1954 with a donation from the Von Beren family, and the restaurant reopened in 1957.
Sobrino de Botín, Madrid, Spain (1725)
This is the restaurant that holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest in the world, although everyone else on our list dates from before this one. The reason for this is the fact that it is located in its original building, with an authentic interior from the 18th century.
It was originally named Casa Botin and was opened by a French chef named Jean Botin and his Austrian wife. The family had no children and therefore bequeathed the restaurant to Mrs. Botin’s niece. It was thus renamed Sobrino de Botin, as in Spanish sobrino means nephew. The list of famous guests includes Ernest Hemingway, Frederick Forsythe, Graham Greene and James A. Mitchener.
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If you live in Sofia or have a work here, welcome to the Simona restaurant and Art Hotel Simona. We can not boast of such a remarkable story, but on the other hand we have temptingly delicious dishes that will make eating an unforgettable experience.
… Because for us cooking is an art!
Recipe for Delicious Homemade Ice Cream
The dessert we associate with summer is undoubtedly ice cream – there are no two opinions on the matter. Therefore, if you are among the big fans of the ice cream, we challenge you to try a quick option for its preparation at home. And don’t worry, if you have no experience in the kitchen – it is so easy for preparating.
Products:
- 3 eggs;
- 500 ml of fresh milk;
- 2 packets of vanilla;
- 100 g of sugar.
Preparation:
As you can see, there is nothing pretentious. The only more complicated thing is to have the patience to wait it to cool.
It is prepared by placing all the products in a double-bottomed pot. Leave on low heat, stirring, until sugar is melted. Then pour into a suitable container and leave for 24 hours in the freezer.
Interesting fact: Ice cream has accompanied the lives of people for thousands of years. The first such cold dessert appeared in ancient China 5,000 years ago. Chinese emperors mixed snow and ice brought from the mountains and added oranges, lemons, pomegranate seeds, wine and honey. It is believed that this recipe, as well as the method of preparation were kept secret and only in the 11th century were discovered in the book “Shi-king”.
Summer Sofia – Another Opportunity for a Great Vacation
If we decide to focus on the positive, we will notice how great Sofia is. Especially in the summer, when the traffic has significantly decreased and the view of Vitosha is more beautiful than ever. Here we can find everything – historical and cultural landmarks, beautiful nature, entertainment, sports…
What to Do in Sofia During the Summer?
Lakes
There are lakes in the middle of the city, and others – very close, but in the nature. For fans of urban coziness, Lake Ariana is a very good option. In summer you can ride a water bike or a boat there, and then take a walk in the Borisova Garden Park.
If you prefer the “escape” among the greenery, we recommend Boyana Lake, which you can combine with a visit to Boyana Church and Boyana Waterfall. The eco-trails there are well marked, so you can’t get lost.
Another great idea is Pancharevo Lake, located in an extremely picturesque area. If you want go water skiing, you can try Kazichene Hydropark.
Mountains
Coming to Sofia and not seeing Vitosha is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope, as they say. During the state of emergency, even walking in the mountains was banned, but we can now catch up. In addition, the museums of Vitosha are opened, so we have many opportunities for a pleasant stay. Otherwise, the Golden Bridges is among the most preferred places.
Lyulin mountain is a slightly underestimated alternative to Vitosha, which, however, guarantees a much calmer stay. So if you prefer more intime place, enjoy the charm of Lyulin. And if you think you can walk, climb Dupevica or try the Esperanto eco-trail. If not, just choose a suitable place to have a picnic.
Pools
It is true that it is difficult to imagine Sofia as a sea, but there are great places for summer water fun here, too. You can choose from many pools and swimming complexes. Some of them are more for rest and sunbathing, but there are also some more suitable for swimming as Dianabad and Spartak. If you want something more interesting and with more fun, do not hesitate to go to the hydro park “Windmills” in Gorna Malina.
Extreme experiences
The world, seen from above, sounds like a great offer, doesn’t it ?! And how about seeing Sofia from the sky?! Ballooning, paragliding, bungee jumping or parachuting, ATV off-road challenge on specially selected routes, shooting training… Browse the web and you will find countless offers.
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We at Art Hotel Simona are waiting for you to make your stay a real experience. Simona Restaurant will take care of the delicious side of things.
We are expecting you!
The First Hotel in the World – a Story of More Than 1300 Years
Do you know how old the oldest hotel is? Its name is Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan, located in Japan and opened its doors for the first time in 705. Sounds impressive, doesn’t it ?!
Background
In fact, the idea of a hotel, although not in its modern form, has existed since the earliest civilizations, because people have always had the need to travel the world. That is why it is difficult to trace the story exactly.
However, researchers claim that the oldest evidence of such a place is from Pompeii from 69 BC. During the Greco-Roman period, as in ancient Persia, similar buildings for rest were made near thermal baths.
The Oldest Still Existing hotel
As already mentioned, this is the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan in Japan, which in 2011 was officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest hotel in the world. It was founded by Fujiwara Mahito, the son of an aide to Japan’s 38th Emperor Tenji. It initially began as a traditional Japanese khan and has been owned by the same family for 52 generations.
It is located at the foot of Mount Akaishi and has benefited from the Hakuho hot springs since its inception. After that, healing springs became very popular throughout Japan.
Contemporary Look
Currently, Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan has 37 rooms and many amenities that were not dreamed of in ancient times – including a restaurant and a special platform for looking of the night sky. Of course, Wi-Fi, tatami mats and the classic furnishings of the rooms, too. However, the hotel is not quite authentic, because in 1997 the owners made major repairs. They retain the traditional architectural style of the original building. In 2005, free-flowing hot water from the springs was introduced into each room.
Unfortunately, the period 2000-2016 is quite difficult for the hotel and its reservations are halved. Therefore, to date, the place is managed by the company Yushima.
