Why: The Bosnia Restaurant was established 10 years ago, but recently changed hands. The new owner, Nihad Valjevac, took charge on Oct. 1, keeping basically the same menu with just a couple of changes.
He and his wife create the menu items using authentic recipes. Many diners opt for the traditional Cevapi, rolls of ground beef mixed with secret spices.
Other options are comprised mostly of pita bread, meat and french fries.
Atmosphere: The restaurant has a chalet feel, with lumber walls and ceiling, and photos of places in Bosnia on the walls. A large-screen TV provides entertainment, and on my visit, music hits from the ’80s were piped in through the speakers. Seating consists of neatly draped tables and basic cushioned chairs.
The dining room is quaint but there’s room enough for family seating, and although there isn’t a kids menu, the standard items are likely to satisfy tots who don’t require chicken fingers or macaroni and cheese.
What I tried: My dining companion and I decided to try the Pita Simica and the Raznjici. Individual crisp, green side salads accompanied our meal, which satisfied our vegetable craving. And I couldn’t pass up a serving of the Turkish coffee when I discovered it on the menu.
The Pita Simica is a spiral roll of pita bread dough filled with ricotta cheese, cottage cheese and sour cream. It was a highlight of our meal. Served warm, the filling was just enough to create a light appetizing flavor that flattered the bread. The pita dough had a slight pastry quality to it, with a somewhat flaky presence.
We ordered the chicken Raznjici. This dish comes in beef as well. Two skewers of seasoned chicken are placed on top of a bed of fries and topped with toasted, buttered pita bread. The chicken was another favorite aspect of our meal. The meat was lightly seasoned with a delicious arrangement of citrusy and salty flavors that made me think of the seaside. The dipping sauce tasted similar to tartar sauce. The meat was tender and juicy.
The fries were standard restaurant style, deep fried to a crispy exterior and served with ketchup for dipping.
The Turkish coffee was excellent. I love the powerful, intense flavor and the substantial consistency that always leaves a thick coffee sludge in the bottom of the cup no matter how often one stirs it. At the Bosnia Restaurant, it’s served with a chaser of club soda.
Menu highlights beyond what I tried: Muesano Meso, a large portion of mixed meats, caters to those with a hearty appetite for meat. The Pljeskavica is a Bosnian-style burger.
Cost: The menu starts at $5 for the small Cevapi and tops out at $20 for the Muesano Meso. Turkish coffee is $2.
Other observations: We were waited on with exceeding politeness and smiles. The food surpassed our expectations. Everything was very clean and tidy. I’m looking forward to going back and trying more Bosnian fare.
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Kitchen closes at 8 p.m.
Telephone: 360-882-3440.
Where: 2902 N.W. Burton Road, Vancouver.
Health score: Bosnia Restaurant received a score of 2 on October 28. Zero is a perfect score, and Clark County Public Health closes restaurants that score 100 or higher. For information, call 360-397-8428.
