POSITION IN THE TOP 30. Last year, according to all criteria, the culinary loft Gastronomika owned by the well-known chef Liutauras Čeprackas, was rated with the highest points. This year, it still remains in the top five, although it is undergoing some changes. True, these changes are very positive this time and this is what Liutauras himself calls natural evolution.
BRIEF RESTAURANT’S STORY. From the very first opening day in the context of Vilnius, Gastronomika was named as the highest level "fine dining" place with a creative flutter and an attitude towards gastronomic culture. It has given this restaurant special attention: in 2017, it won the 1st place in the 30 Best Restaurant project, the same year it was ranked as 5th in White Guide, and 8th (out of 160 restaurants) and in 2018. Despite the remarkable ratings, this year the restaurant has decided to change and move into new premises, where, according to chef L. Čeprackas, finally not only the gastronomic tasting dinner format, but also a la carte menu available five days per week will be presented!
RESTAURANT’S UNIQUENESS. Gastronomika was the first place in Lithuania which met all “fine dining” standards. This line will not disappear in new premises, but will be complemented by a menu that can be enjoyed from Tuesday to Saturday: „Introducing the changes, we will seek even better evaluations“, – says L. Čeprackas, founder of Gastronomika.
CHEF. Liutauras Čeprackas had a culinary vocation from childhood, however, because of his parents he tried to choose music first and even entered the Academy of Music and Theatre of Lithuania. Later on, he graduated from management studies at the Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, and only having left to live on Margarita Island belonging to Venezuela he understood once again that his utmost desire was to cook, and in this way, he joined the said school Le Cordon Bleu in Mexico City.
After his studies, he left for Spain where he gained experience on the Basque territory: at a three-Michelin-star restaurant of Martíno Berasatequi and at one-star Kokotxa restaurant in San Sebastian. While there, he mustered up his courage to open his own restaurant. Thus, Liutauras returned to Lithuania with this specific goal in mind which became a meat house Meat and his creative space, called Gastronomika.
Even though L. Čeprackas is often described as an arrogant and emotional chef, in the kitchen he works in a calm manner. In his opinion, it is in the atmosphere like this that the most delicious dishes are born. Besides, there is no point in losing one’s temper when you love your job and enjoy its every stage.
SPACE. The newly renovated premises of the restaurant Gastronomika are located on Bokšto street. Guests will be invited to discover them later this year. More details are not disclosed by the owner yet.
