As of last month, at the initiative of Milan Miletić, the owner of Il Menestrello restaurant in Manhattan in New York, his and other restaurants owned by Croats and Italians, have been offering, in addition to Grgić's wines, another Croatian wine Vrbnik Golden Žlahtina. This singular, high quality dry white wine hailing from the island of Krk has become an instant hit with his guests. It is no wonder that the first shipment of Vrbnik Žlahtina from Croatia was immediately consumed. New Yorkers dining at Il Menestrello request Croatian wine exclusively.
Milan Miletić arrived in New York from Rtina, near Zadar, twenty-eight years ago and worked in the catering business. His restaurant is situated in the very heart of Manhattan, between Madison and Fifth Avenues and is a popular eatery among the city's business people.
Over the course of the last decade, the restaurant has hosted many humanitarian and promotional dinners to aid Croatia. The late Krešimir Ćosić and Dražen Petrović were among regular guests as are now members of the Croatian diplomatic corps headed by the Croatian ambassador to the United States Miomir Žužul.
Through the importing of Croatian wines, Miletić has not only helped the Croatian economy but has also contributed to the promotion of his country in the long term. Namely, it is by no means an easy feat to get choosy Americans to taste an unknown brand of wine from Croatia when he has a broad choice of high quality California wines as well as famous brands from France, Australia, Chile and other wine-producing countries. Miletić says that he is now expecting another shipment from Croatia. He is negotiating the import of Malvazija wine from Vrbnik as well. (Jadranka Jureško-Kero, Slobodna Dalmacija)

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Il Menestrello

14 E. 52nd St. (bet. 5th & Madison Aves.)
Tele: 421-7588

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