Sorin Cucu is the executive chef at one of my favourite restaurants, ‘Mahala’. I recommend Mahala for the FOOD. I cannot settle on recommending just one dish from their menu; instead, I recommend everything they have. Several visits are a MUST at ‘Mahala’. Sorin said that restaurant clients no longer listen to waiter recommendations but in this case, it really doesn’t matter.

I found the restaurant by mistake while they were still refurbishing. This was back in June 2015. They opened in October. As soon as it was open I paid a visit but I never write an article after only one visit. ‘Mahala’ is now definitely my top favourite restaurant in the city.

I spent 15 minutes talking to Sorin and found out that he also worked on a cruise liner. He used to work for ‘Cucina’ at the Marriott and other famous restaurants in Romania, interned in Paris and is now the Executive Chef/Owner at ‘Mahala’. Sorin wanted to have an extensive selection of wines and they made the right choices from ‘Da Vino’ winery, limited to the space they have.

The restaurant only has 55 seats and in the evening booking is highly recommended. They speak English and they have English menus. I know you will love it ;).