Prishtina has a distinct centre, however, I am not sure what constitutes “uptown” and “downtown” and where they begin and end. Nevertheless, for the purpose of this post, I accept that “Sonder” is situated uptown, especially since it is sitting on a bit of a hill.
Sonder opened a few years ago, the brain-child of a couple who decided to do something different. It is part bar, café, restaurant, a gallery, a bookstore – a quirky place which was the first to serve flavoured water, selling the best jalapenos this side of Mexico.
The first time I went to Sonder it was on an invitation for a working lunch. I remember reading the menu and the first thing I saw was the word “bagel”. My taste buds went into overdrive – toasted bagel with cream cheese, smoked salmon, capers, a squeeze of lemon and black pepper! Bagels are not commonly found in Kosovo, and my attempts to make them can be only described as complete flops, so I was truly excited. And what a treat it was! A real bagel, homemade and fresh, with the right amount of chewiness, and a perfect ratio of salmon and cream cheese.
If you are lucky you can also buy a jar of jalapeños. They are made in Kosovo and are the best.
In my sporadic forays to the place, I have tasted quite a few items in the menu and my next favourite item is the “Sonder salad”. With a bagel on the side.