Konoba Mondo: Truffles, Boškarin and Anthony Bourdain’s Photo by the Door
On the hillside leading up to the Venetian walls of Motovun, a konoba that won over Anthony Bourdain—and has never changed since.
Montona / Motovun, Istria
Anthony Bourdain dined here and featured it in his Croatia episode, and his photograph still hangs by the entrance. Konoba Mondo seems to have changed very little since then—which is precisely the point.
Motovun is reached on foot, along a steep slope that leads up to the main Venetian gate. Konoba Mondo sits on the side of the climb, with mint-green shutters and a large sign outside. At the entrance, among other things, hangs a photograph of Anthony Bourdain, who came here for his Croatia episode and described it as one of Istria's most authentic food experiences. After him came The New York Times and The Washington Post. The cooking has not changed.
The Boskarin carpaccio with black truffle and Peloža extra virgin olive oil is the dish everyone orders first. Boskarin is the native Istrian cattle breed, once close to extinction, known for its rich flavour and beautifully marbled meat. Then come the truffle fuži or tagliatelle, the warm homemade bread served before anything else, and lamb chops in Teran wine sauce with polenta. In autumn, Istrian white truffle takes centre stage on the menu—less famous than its Alba counterpart, yet found in the very same forests of the Mirna Valley, just a few kilometres away.
The terrace overlooks the Istrian countryside. The service has the quiet confidence of a place that stands on its own, with nothing to prove.
This is an independent editorial feature.
Photo ©konoba-mondo.com
Practical Information
Location: Montona / Motovun, Istria
Duration: Lunch or Dinner
Estimated price: From €30 per person
