Hidden in the lively Trešnjevka district, the Peaches and Cream bar is a hidden gem that perfectly captures the spirit of this vibrant part of the city. As soon as you enter the door, you are greeted by a warm and pleasant atmosphere where retro style meets modern in the best possible way. The large central bar reaches all the way to the ceiling and offers everything you can think of. If you're looking for something you don't see on their cocktail menu, rest assured that the friendly team at P&C will mix up a drink in minutes. Whether you're a local looking for a cozy place to relax or a visitor looking for a place with phenomenal offerings and service, Peaches and Cream offers a unique experience that perfectly balances nostalgia and innovation. We talked to Dominik Bečvardi, 1/2 of this popular bar.
Dominik Bečvardi (right) and the Peaches and Cream team
Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the name "Peaches and Cream? What story does it tell?
D: Peaches & Cream is a name that came about by accident, i.e. we were looking for a name and brand that would not at first allude to cocktails but to a fun and relaxed bar. The logo and name have connotations of exactly the things people want when they go out drinking on a weekend night. ;)
What inspired you to open Peaches and Cream and how did you decide to focus on premium cocktails?
D: Peaches & Cream was opened as a long-standing wish of two friends and colleagues (Mišel Posavac and me). Like every bartender, for a long time we had the desire to open our own bar and show our vision to our guests. We had different points of view on several different aspects of catering (cocktails, service, etc.) and this was exactly the thing that guided our vision when making the decision to open P&C bar. The decision to make Peaches a cocktail bar was quite simple because we've been doing it all our lives and don't know how to do anything else. ;)
Peaches and Cream team
The concept of the bar itself is based on service and creating an environment where the guest feels comfortable while at the same time drinking cocktails that are not everyday. The atmosphere in the bar is created by service, i.e., communication with guests that is relaxed and does not push them out of their comfort zone, even though guests drink cocktails that are not everyday.
Dominik's journey in hospitality started quite early, almost 13 years ago. As Dominik tells us, the beginnings were basic and followed the trends of the time of flair performances, belching fire and similar fun things. After realizing that cocktails can be used to convey a story and experience to guests, Dominik began to research a little more on his own what bartenders actually do. During his professional development, he had the opportunity to work in locations that offered food as well, i.e. a kitchen with quality chefs, and who knows how to combine flavors and manipulate ingredients better than chefs. Peaches & Cream is the culmination of all these things learned through his many years of education.
What is your approach to making cocktails? Do you have a certain philosophy or principle that guides you?
D: We like to think that we tell a story with our cocktails. We try to create cocktails that will offer our guests a special experience in our bar. The quality of the cocktail is always in the first place, with the fact that in the service we try to present the cocktail to the guests through simple facts. We are aware that the guests on Friday evening did not come to hear about our techniques and what we know how to do behind the bar, but are there to relax and have fun in our bar. The primary goal of the P&C bar is precisely that, for guests to relax and enjoy themselves while drinking high-quality cocktails.
How do you choose the ingredients for your cocktails? Do you prefer local or seasonal ingredients?
D: We choose the ingredients based on their quality. The location does not define the quality of the ingredients, especially when we talk about alcohol and cocktail ingredients. Seasonality plays a big role in designing our cocktails, but initially we try to show the guest some theme of the cocktail list or the story behind the cocktail.
Are there any cocktails that define Peaches and Cream? What makes them unique?
D: The cocktail that defines the P&C bar is our classic, which has the same name as the bar. It is a cocktail that is a combination of vodka, white peach, fresh lemon juice and the whole cocktail goes through a process known as "milkwash", that is, we mix the whole cocktail with Greek yogurt which clarifies the cocktail. Without going into details, a process is happening that also happens in the production of cheese. The acids in the cocktail bind to the proteins from the yogurt and after filtration we get a transparent liquid that has all the flavors of the ingredients but is transparent. That way you have a clear cocktail that has the flavors of Peaches & Cream.
Peaches and Cream cocktail
How do you balance innovation with classic cocktail traditions in your offer?
D: Most of the cocktails on our signature menu are made using modern techniques (clarification, carbonation, etc.). You can get classic cocktails at any time if you ask for them and we have the ingredients for them. We are the first ones who like to drink a good Negroni after a shift :)
Currently the most popular cocktail in their offer is the "Skinny Bitch" which is a combination of vodka, lime and soda, and the P&C team made it a little more interesting by infusing the vodka with vanilla, mixing it with a cherry, balancing the cocktail with three types of acid and carbonating it. In this way, they got a drinkable and simple drink that people know, but in their own way.
Skinny Bitch cocktail
The bar's cocktail lists change twice a year (summer/winter), but they are constantly coming up with new things and guests often have the opportunity to try the cocktails they are working on for future lists. In addition, they often make cocktails according to the guest's wishes, so the choice is varied.
Are there any cocktails in your offer that have a particularly interesting story or origin?
D: Personally, the cocktail called “Bee” is one of the best cocktails we've made. The cocktail is a combination of mezcal and orange Palo Santo wood. What is special is that we "lay down" the cocktail for 20 days in beeswax so that the cocktail softens and acquires a light note of wax.
Bee cocktail
For all guests who like non-alcoholic or low-alcohol cocktails, the bar has several options. On the next cocktail list that comes out this fall, guests will have a segment of non-alcoholic cocktails that will be specially designed according to the theme of the menu.
How do you ensure the consistency and quality of your cocktails during busy hours?
D: One single thing, and that is a good and high-quality preparation that is standardized. P&C bar opens at 10:00 with the fact that we do not focus on the day shift. The first shift serves us to prepare cocktails for the second shift. In this way, our second shift is fully prepared for a full bar every day, and we minimize the possibility of errors during busy hours.
When asked how he encourages creativity among his bartenders when it comes to creating new cocktails, Dominik answered that he gives them open arms. According to him, the biggest victory was when they threw out a card that didn't have a single Dominik's cocktail on it. In short, the bar follows the trends and wishes of its guests. They always try to offer something new and interesting, and together as a team they go once or twice a year to bar fairs where they get an insight into the latest trends in the bar scene in the world.
Peaches and Cream team
What kind of experience do you want to create for guests at Peaches and Cream?
D: This is a very difficult question. Every guest is looking for a different bar experience. If a couple came on a first date, they don't want to hear about our cocktails and our work techniques. They want a nice drink that will keep their concentration the first minute it comes to the table. After that, it is up to us to provide them with a pleasant environment so that they can devote themselves to each other. The moment a person enters our bar who likes to talk about bartending, we provide him with an insight into everything he is interested in. Our recipes and techniques are not a secret for any guest. Each guest is a different story and there is no unified approach that will work for everyone.
What are some of Peaches and Cream's biggest accomplishments so far?
D: Here I would definitely highlight the celebration of our third birthday, for which we organized the Copy Taste event. At that event, we managed to gather 7 of the best regional bars at an open air event where all guests had the opportunity to try the best cocktails that the region has to offer. In addition, we developed a clothing line in cooperation with Zagreb Social Club, which we sell as merch.
Peaches and Cream Copy Taste event
When it comes to innovation, Dominik and his team are not afraid of new trends. Rather, they follow them and pass them on to their guests at a pace that the guests can tolerate without moving them out of their comfort zone. The final goal of everything is for guests to come for a nice cocktail, relax and have fun, and that's exactly what Peaches & Cream offers.
Pictures: Peaches and Cream
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