Drina Daisy Bosnian Restaurant
915 Commercial St, Astoria, OR, 97103
Drina Daisy Bosnian Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Astoria for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
915 Commercial St
Astoria, OR, 97103 - Phone (503) 338-2912
- Website https://www.drinadaisy.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Betty C.
I loved this place. To begin with, my dad is from Slovenia....and my whole life I grew up with foods cooked by my mom, who learned from dad's mom...plum dumplings, yummy meats....food loaded with FLAVOR. I have missed those. In lil' ol' Astoria....is a restaurant with not only the foods, but the wine of my home, the coffee of my home, the desserts of my home. The chef is AMAZING. The foods were amazing, and the appetizer plate was to die for. I would say more, but I'm salivating so much it is shorting out the keyboard. Go.... go....
(5)Samantha C.
Hi, I have eaten at this place on about six or seven occasions and have enjoyed a fairly reliable and consistent Bosnian flavor. The owner Fordinka came to recognize me and greeted me when ever I came in. Cool enough? Yeah, cool. Then (my update),,, Jeeeez! I went back and told the lady (the owner?) that it is so good to come in and see them again. Kinda cranky, she said, "I'm real busy, what do you want today?" I was the only one I could see in there. I said lunch. She said WELL? WHAT?! YIKES!! I said bye bye now. The food is probably still good if you can put up with a bitchy little old haybag from the old country. Stephanie's Cabin has good food good service, reasonable prices and they are open on a regular basis. //(~_~)\\ Me
(1)Arleen C.
I was really excited to try Bosnian food because I've never had it before. I admit that the "spinach pita" made me think it'd be like a spanokopita so that was strangely exciting. The stuffed cabbage made me think it'd be like a Polish one so that excited me too. The entire idea of trying a new cuisine excited me, so we thought since we were driving through Astoria and didn't want fast food, we'd try something different. I wish we hadn't. If I could rewind back time, I'd undo this decision and voted for McDonald's, KFC, Subway, anything but this. The service was difficult to handle. There was one server for the entire restaurant. He was flustered because the place was packed. He was also quite huffy/irritable but trying to hold it together. We felt badly for him but his attitude was a turn off. The food was ridiculously salty. I thought I was in Scotland with the amount of salt we had in our food, but quickly remembered that there is no stuffed cabbage in Scotland. The food took FOREVER. I was really, really hungry and I thought maybe it was the hunger that made it feel like it was taking forever, but my partner told me it was taking as long as I thought. The stuffed cabbage was ridiculously salty. The pepsi and the water weren't enough to get the saltiness to tame down. The stuffed cabbage was also FROZEN so the centre was room temperature/luke warm at best. The spinach pita was more like a puff pastry filled with scrambled egg and the occasional piece of spinach - nothing spanokopita-like at all (sorry to Greece for the temporary confusion on my part). The portions were also ridiculously small. I was hungry but couldn't stomach more of the food here. Also, the thing that absolutely pissed me off is $2 for pepsi. They serve it in a small glass with ice...so you're paying $2 for less than half a can of pepsi. The menu looked expansive. I will DEFINITELY try Bosnian food again but just not here. I think the food sounds really exciting and different and I'd like to try it somewhere that could do it justice...which isn't here.
(1)Nadia P.
Dear Fordinka, You rock taste buds like Goran Bregović rocks the guitar -- and that's not the Slivovitz talking. Thank you.
(5)A.M. K.
My husband and I love to frequent Astoria about 3 times a year. Several failed attempts to eat at Drina Daisy due to their limited hours at times has become ongoing joke between us. I've been wanting to eat here for years. I thought that maybe all the hype I've built up in my own head might be difficult for Drina Daisy to live up to. Not the case at all. This is a superb restaurant. We were so pleased with our entire meal, our service, and the atmosphere. We tried the coffee, salad, smoked meats, beef cabbage roll, and the roasted lamb. All excellent. It's simple, understated, and the flavors are amazing. You can taste the passion this woman has for her food. We can not wait to eat at Drina Daisy again.
(5)Yuliya Z.
Amazing food, friendly staff, good value. The lamb is absolutely incredible, large portions
(5)Karen J.
Some local friends took us to dinner here. I was a little skeptical, not being much of an adventurer and not really enjoying "authentic" foods much. However, this was the best food I've eaten while eating out, hands down. The waiter knew our friends and was happy to see us all. We went during the week and had a wonderful time. Best.Food.Ever!
(5)Deana C.
Great food. Unique. The coffee *Kafa* was excellent. The service is slow, so don't be in a hurry. Worth the wait.
(4)Michael V.
This place is a gem! It has real credible Central European food. The service is great and the quality of the ingredients is obvious. We had the lamb and the cabbage rolls. Absolutely sublime. And they have an awesome wine list. If you are looking for great food and service then go here and enjoy something different.
(5)Smalls M.
Must try!! The best lamb I have ever had!! It is so juicy and flavorful. My boyfriend and I also loved the homemade bread and pepper sauce. The service is amazing, the owner are so nice. They just want to make their costumers feel welcomed and satisfied. I love this place!!! This was our first time here and we loved it. We will making a 4 hour trip just to eat here again.
(5)Pronitha S.
Loved the food! The lamb is SENSATIONAL! Cabbage wrapped rice and vegetables is a must try too. Great music and hospitality.
(5)Rachel K.
This is the place! Great food complimented by outstanding wine and beer of the region. If you miss this place you have missed out! From the excellent lamb plate to the best cabbage rolls you've ever had, I highly recommend this restaurant both for its authenticity and the heart-warming stewardship of its owners. Thank you!
(5)Val B.
We loved the hot food, warm interior, and sweet service! The food is excellent! I loved the goulash and hubby loved his lamb! Wish I could remember the precise names of the dishes we ordered!
(5)Giovanni R.
The Food is excellent , all farm fresh fruits, vegetables and local fresh meats. Old world craftmenship , delicious food. The owners are the nicest people you could ever meet. I had the lamb alomg with some Gompers Gin on the rocks the traditional way folks in the Balkans drink.
(5)Dawn D.
Been to Astoria many times and always wanted to try this place but timing never prevailed till this time and I have to say the reviews were spot on!!! This restaurant is awesome ! Started out with a bottle of fine Serbian wine ( which is a delightful difference to American wine) and a wonderful appetizer of smoked beef and smoked sausages with pickled stuffed peppers and cheese! Now moving on to the main course, the lamb was Devine (and being lamb fans, it was top notch) and the cabbage rolls were melt in your mouth!!! The sour cream and seasoned beef on top were uncharted grounds for my palate. !!! Wonderful meal !!! So glad we got to experience this restaurant for our 25th wedding anniversary !!! Highly recommend:)
(5)Jeanne J.
Every time I go to Astoria Oregon I make a point of eating at the Drina Daisy. The food is always fresh and delicious. I like the quaint setting, the husband wife team, and the relaxed dining pace. I've had the Goulash and Sarma, and Kava. The Baklava is just sumptuous. Every plate is artfully presented with the freshest fruits and vegetables. Do yourself a favor and try it. You'll be glad you did.
(5)Jason H.
I like trying new things especially on vacation. My wife sent me out for takeout from here. The food was amazing! And the only thing better than the food was the service. They were quick to ask about utensils, or if I wanted to try some lamb while I waited for my food. I will be returning to this place hopefully next time to eat there.
(5)Jay N.
An absolute gem we discovered on a road trip up the West Coast, stopping in picturesque, sleepy, friendly little Astoria, Oregon; Drina Daisy touts itself as 'old world comfort food' and as being a taste of Bosnia. I'm not sure what Bosnia tastes like but judging from the food and hospitality we received here, I'd say it must be delicious. The food doesn't appear to be any typical American's idea of what Bosnian food should be, but the true interpretation of the very Bosnian owner and chef. The manager was friendly, chatty (okay, REALLY chatty) and enjoyed giving us the history and idea behind his restaurant and how they pride themselves in this food. My partner had the stuffed cabbage. Beautiful, nothing spicy but filling, true belly warming, heart filling comfort food stuffed to bursting with meats and veggies, plated absolutely beautifully with a salad in a raised cup surrounded by a little sculpture garden of fresh fruit, meticulously cut and placed on the plate. The huge dollop of sour creme on top was a perfect touch and added to the meal. My dish was a puff pastry filled with meat and onions and I'm sorry I forget the name. Again, stuffed full. The olive oil used to cook it was definitely noticeable but nothing which bothered the food. Again, BEAUTIFULLY plated with fruit and salad, a lot of fruit and large helping of sour cream. Flaky pastry filled with meat and onions, fresh fruit, a wonderful lite summer salad! On a wonderful two-week trip from California to Washington State, this was a culinary highlight and one I had to share here. (please see the photos I've posted of the food). The atmosphere is charming, quiet and bright. The one drawback appears to be the uncertainty of business hours which I've seen others note. Even our hotel cautioned us to make sure it was open before visiting as they apparently are prone to closing early without much notice; that said, I recommend a call before visiting, but visiting you must. Old world Bosnia never tasted so good!
(4)Dyl D.
We travel to Astoria from Beaverton just to go to this amazing restaurant. When you visit Astoria, don't miss this place. Great service and unique, fantastic food made by real people. This is not a typical restaurant with random cooks in the back. The food is painstakingly prepared by the owner and her family. They care about the quality of every meal they make. It's not about the money for them. They do it for the love of food and the art of sharing their culture through food.
(5)Jerry B.
My wife and I selected this restaurant based on the reviews offered by others. It may have been an off night but we were not impressed. We were there at 7:00 PM and they were out of the main lamb entree. Appeared to be poor planning on the part of kitchen. We ordered a bottle of wine and it was "ok". The Waiter seemed somewhat overwhelmed. It should be said that the place was packed. Maybe they were not ready for a full house. I had beef wrapped in cabbage ( Pigs in a blanket is what mom called them). Again they were just "ok". The side salad was excellent. Probably will not go back .
(3)Jake A.
Overrated, overpriced, and disappointed. I don't know why this place got such great review. The lamb was $27. It was very bland and fatty. The decor was interesting but I was shocked to see so much flies or some kind insect flying all over the dinning room. All I can say eat at your risk. Needlessly I'm not returning. Once is more than enough.
(1)Ann S.
The lighting is harsh, and they were out of cabbage rolls, but the food was absolutely delicious. We had the "deeply smoked" beef appetizer, and the beef stew for a main course. The food was perfectly seasoned and beautifully presented. I would go out of my way to eat here again!
(5)Skip C.
We stayed outside of Astoria and a friend of mine recommended this restaurant to us. We got into town at about 9:00 pm and it Drina was closed. The owner saw us through the window and noticed how disappointed we were and re-opened the restaurant for us. Good thing too because by the time that we left she had filled 4 more tables :). Our waiter was a bit off but he might have been right on in Bosnia so to me it added to the overall appeal. He had a certain charm about him. Our food took a little (just a tad) longer to come out so the owner presented us with a plate of pickled veggies and cured meats. To me this was the highlight, the whole plate was fantastic. I decided on ordering the cabbage stuffed beef with risotto and was not disappointed. The dish came with fresh fruit and veggies as well to round out a fine meal. My table mates had the lamb which of course I sunk my fork into as soon as it hit the table and instantly had food envy. I topped off my meal with the Brandy and the overall experience was fantastic. Will I go back? Yes for sure. The highlight was the smile on the Drina's face as we thanked her for such a delightful evening.
(4)Lana G.
Drina Daisy is a surprisingly large and apparently successful restaurant offering highly esoteric ethnic food -- Bosnian -- in a small city that does not seem to be filled with adventurous palates. We attribute its success to the extremely high quality of the food, which is not at all spicy but can be pungent with onions and garlic. Everything that other Yelpers have reported is true: the food is great, fresh, and well presented. Fruits and vegetables are obviously chosen with the utmost care. Considering the price, dinner here is a bargain. The service is friendly. However, the production is slooow. We dined late and nevertheless waited forty-five minutes for our meals when, to the best of our knowledge, ours were the only orders still in the kitchen. You can, of course, while away the time eating the heavy bread and drinking the mostly eastern European beers and wines. The obvious danger is that you will fill up on bread and beer long before your very substantial dinner arrives. Less obviously, the beers can knock you on your butt. We tried a couple of Belgian beers and found the Piraat acceptable but with a alcohol content appropriate to a wine, over ten percent. On the other hand, the first Belgian I tried, the Duchess du Bourgogne, turned out to be one of those irritating Belgian fruit beers. It tasted not at all like beer but like fermented berries, which is the kindest thing I can say about it. Next time, we'll order a wine, the Austrian Gruner Veltliner, a quiet little white that can be drunk as an apertif and should pair nicely with the food.
(4)K B.
Must try for food (though you got to pray the old dude is in a good mood;)), save room for coffee !!! If you find yourself on this side of oregon coast, you should give this place a try. From outside the place doesn't look like much but as you enter you notice the front desk and dining hall simply yet tastefully decorated with artifacts and pictures from Bosnia. The dining hall feels very cozy as if you are in someone's home. The old gentleman and his son who run the place offer good service but I can understand that he can come off as obnoxious if he doesn't like something which I think is weird since they are in a service business. There was a problem with my order (miscommunication on both our parts...Strike 1), he didn't seem very happy about it but he gracefully offered to correct my order which I appreciated a lot since being a vegetarian I couldnt have done much with the beef entree I received. Me and my boyfriend tried the stuffed cabbage leaves (vegetarian option) and the beef stew. The food was absolutely delectable with a very aromatic blend of Mediterranean spices. Loved the vegetable medley which was perfectly cooked, just a little more tender than stir fry but not overcooked. They do claim to house a 3rd generation bosnian chef and I don't doubt it. After entrées, we decided to try the baklava and bosnian coffee. Their baklava has a super thick center and is drenched in lemony honey syrup - unexpected but very welcome adventure for your taste buds. If that doesn't give you a sugar high, nothing ever will. If you are a coffee enthusiast, you have to save some room for coffee towards the end. They serve turkish kahva in traditional copper colored ornate tableware. I ordered the other one on the menu which comes with a dollop of whipped cream. I would recommend trying it without the cream because the coffee is just absolutely heavenly. I had to try to get to the coffee under the mound of whipped cream which one wasn't very visually appealing and again I think the old guy wasn't very pleased about me destroying their creation (oops...Strike 2).By now he gave up on our table completely, but we did try to show our appreciation by leaving a handsome tip. But this was probably the second best coffee I have ever had other than the cuban, definitely a must try for food despite a little bit of elderly attitude (fingers crossed that I m not going to receive any threats..I have tried to be unbiased and honest !!!)
(4)Ben M.
Drina was a quaint little place and weeded served quickly and politely by a single gentlemen (owner?) all evening. The food was absolutely delicious and plentiful and the wine and beer from Croatia and Bosnia were equally pleasing. We had a wonderful evening.
(5)Captain C. Branagain G.
Drina Daisy and your supporter "Ken B." -- Do you really think it wise to send me a private message via Yelp filled with a threat as well as vulgarities in Bosnian? Do you really think that I will not log your IP Address & MAC Address and trace it via legal channels to report you? Maybe you can rate how many stars our justice system merits in dealing with immature simpletons like yourself. All of this because I gave you a negative review for bad customer service and put a non-offensive phrase in Bosnian within it for levity? Sad, sad, little people. I bid you peace.
(1)Wayne A.
All these four and five-star reviews are baffling. I recently went back to this place for a second time, having convinced myself that the first time around was disappointing only because I had ordered the wrong entree. Actually, it only got worse. Much worse. My girlfriend and I had waited all day for the sumptuous repast this place supposedly has to offer. When I'd been there previously I had caught a glimpse of a huge platter of steaming roast lamb that looked succulent and smelled heavenly. I could hardly wait to return for a taste of that carnivore's dream. The lone waiter is apparently the priprietor and husband of the cook, and he's a fussy, rather obnoxious piece of work. He greeted us perfunctorily and offered us our choice of two tables, both of which were tiny and in the middle of the room. We were the only ones in the place but I knew from previous experience that it would be futile to ask for a more comfortable table. Apparently they're always expecting huge parties of supplicants who never seem to arrive. We both ordered the lamb; the specialty of the house. The waiter looked at his watch and suggested we might want to order something else because there was none left over from lunch (we were surprised that they would even consider serving leftovers to the dinner crowd) and that the next serving wouldn't be ready for at least another 20 minutes or so. Starving though we were, we were more than happy to wait for the next batch of roast lamb fresh from the oven. So we enjoyed a couple of varieties of Bosnian beer, nibbled on the tiny bits of stale bread we had been served and waited expectantly. An hour later we were finally served. It was an odd presentation on a metal platter with unrecognizable lamb parts surrounded by scraps of veggies and fruit. After waiting patiently for the "good stuff" we found to our horror that everything, including the lamb that had presumably just come out of the cooker, was stone cold. The "meat" was appalling: nothing but bone and gristle with a few tiny shreds of meat attached, and a huge (3" diameter) glob of fat right in the middle of the mess. Had we not been weak with hunger and in such a state of shock at the sight of those hideous offerings we would given the proprietor a pungent critique and walked out. Instead, we slogged through that platter of unheated garbage, paid up and got the hell out of there. I wonder how on earth they stay in business. I'm hardly surprised by the posting from the guy who claimed the proprietor sent him a threatening email because of his negative review. There's something bizarre and twisted about that place and they don't deserve anyone's business.
(1)Eliza C.
So nice when you stop in to a dead place and you have to leave because the menu is beef-centric and lame (they have 3 veggie items, pretty much cheese with lettuce). I explained that I didn't see anything that for my veggie fancy (cuz I still like protein or eggplant or something) and I got a huge eye roll -- back atcha, buddy.
(1)Rafael L.
I visited Astoria last weekend, and first time at this restaurant. I had a chance to try the Burek or Bosnian style pita, and this was probably one of the best dishes I've ever had! I will definitely come back here next time I visit. If you visit Astoria, GO HERE! food is awesome. In the past, I used to eat and have a beer at the great brewery in town, from now on, I will stop and eat here first, then go to the brewery afterwards.
(5)Bobby M.
My wife and I were thoroughly impressed with this restaurant. The portion sizes were generous to say the least, the staff was extremely friendly and the prices were reasonable. I had the burak (beef pita) which is basically a crispy, pastry like outside stuffed with slow cooked beef, onions and vegetables under a spoonful of sour cream. What sets this place apart is the authenticity and attention to details. The food presentation was immaculate and the beer and wine selection is straight out of Eastern Europe. Overall a great destination.
(4)Avalon T.
If I lived in astoria I would eat here all the time. The food is so amazing that I swear I felt my taste buds dancing. Everything on the menu looks so tempting. :)
(5)Anita B.
My husband and I stopped here for dinner after walking out of a dark, dingy and foul smelling restaurant down the street. We are both passionate foodies, and we were pleasantly surprised by Drina Daisy. Don't come here if you need to be served quickly, but the wait wasn't terribly long. We both had the stuffed cabbage and it was awesome. Real home-style Eastern European food with generous portions. Served with super fresh salad and fruit. Some folks seem to be put off by the owner's reserve, but he is a very hard working guy, without a server on the night we were there. Highly recommend this place which exceeded our expectations.
(5)Brian L.
So good we went back the next day! The Kafa is a must, lamb amazing, and cabbage wrapped beef to die for. Fresh fruit with every entree, perfect. Will come back if I am ever in the area again.
(5)Skott S.
Great atmosphere! Fantastic food, and superb music. All these plus the owners passion for their culture made our dining experience amazing and soul enriching. Stop in and you will not be disappointed.
(5)Jon A.
A memorable meal. We had the roast lamb and stuffed cabbage, and both were exquisite. And the lamb came on a huge platter with several sorts of fresh fruit and salad. Everything was fresh and delicious, clearly a lot of care goes into the cooking here. Nice selection of Balkan wines. The couple who runs the place were really nice, too.
(5)Erin H.
Astoria? Twice in ONE WEEK? Time for some super Yelping opportunity! Apparently not. Arriving at 11:30 AM on a Friday and finding the place locked up tight, I was a bit peeved. The sign in the window said 'Open' and the opening time was listed as 11am. However, the place was dark dark dark!!! I checked my phone a half dozen times just to make sure it was really Friday at 11:30. How annoying. This was our Bosnian day! For shame. I was all hyped to try this gem. Maybe next time I can give them five stars....?
(1)Karli W.
Our dishes were excellent! Beer and wine pairings were spot on. It was such a relaxing meal. The atmosphere was almost like having a wonderful dinner at a friends home. We will be visiting again very soon.
(5)Betsy S.
This was pretty good for Astoria... My expectations have gotten lower and lower for this area the more I've eaten around town. This place has a few things going for it - Big hearty servings of interesting flavors at fairly reasonable prices. Lots of bread, large portions of fresh fruit, and free samples of an interesting soda-type beverage for the kids. Our server was very friendly and warm, but I've been here a couple times that they were supposed to be open and they weren't. I was told that when the ower doesn't feel like opening, she just doesn't. Well, you couldn't get away with that in Portland, but I guess in Astoria... My interaction with the owner was downright unpleasant. She's got no concept of customer service...
(3)Diem L.
First time I had Bosnian food and it was pretty good...Had the cucumber salad which was delish...Had to share it with the table as it was a pretty decent portion...I had the beef stew which was definitely succulent...Service was attentive and the restaurant is a nice lil mom & pop shop that I thoroughly enjoyed...Would definitely venture again....Take notice that they are closed on Monday & Tuesday...Definite fan...
(4)Betty C.
I loved this place. To begin with, my dad is from Slovenia....and my whole life I grew up with foods cooked by my mom, who learned from dad's mom...plum dumplings, yummy meats....food loaded with FLAVOR. I have missed those. In lil' ol' Astoria....is a restaurant with not only the foods, but the wine of my home, the coffee of my home, the desserts of my home. The chef is AMAZING. The foods were amazing, and the appetizer plate was to die for. I would say more, but I'm salivating so much it is shorting out the keyboard. Go.... go....
(5)Samantha C.
Hi, I have eaten at this place on about six or seven occasions and have enjoyed a fairly reliable and consistent Bosnian flavor. The owner Fordinka came to recognize me and greeted me when ever I came in. Cool enough? Yeah, cool. Then (my update),,, Jeeeez! I went back and told the lady (the owner?) that it is so good to come in and see them again. Kinda cranky, she said, "I'm real busy, what do you want today?" I was the only one I could see in there. I said lunch. She said WELL? WHAT?! YIKES!! I said bye bye now. The food is probably still good if you can put up with a bitchy little old haybag from the old country. Stephanie's Cabin has good food good service, reasonable prices and they are open on a regular basis. //(~_~)\\ Me
(1)Deana C.
Great food. Unique. The coffee *Kafa* was excellent. The service is slow, so don't be in a hurry. Worth the wait.
(4)Michael V.
This place is a gem! It has real credible Central European food. The service is great and the quality of the ingredients is obvious. We had the lamb and the cabbage rolls. Absolutely sublime. And they have an awesome wine list. If you are looking for great food and service then go here and enjoy something different.
(5)Smalls M.
Must try!! The best lamb I have ever had!! It is so juicy and flavorful. My boyfriend and I also loved the homemade bread and pepper sauce. The service is amazing, the owner are so nice. They just want to make their costumers feel welcomed and satisfied. I love this place!!! This was our first time here and we loved it. We will making a 4 hour trip just to eat here again.
(5)Pronitha S.
Loved the food! The lamb is SENSATIONAL! Cabbage wrapped rice and vegetables is a must try too. Great music and hospitality.
(5)Arleen C.
I was really excited to try Bosnian food because I've never had it before. I admit that the "spinach pita" made me think it'd be like a spanokopita so that was strangely exciting. The stuffed cabbage made me think it'd be like a Polish one so that excited me too. The entire idea of trying a new cuisine excited me, so we thought since we were driving through Astoria and didn't want fast food, we'd try something different. I wish we hadn't. If I could rewind back time, I'd undo this decision and voted for McDonald's, KFC, Subway, anything but this. The service was difficult to handle. There was one server for the entire restaurant. He was flustered because the place was packed. He was also quite huffy/irritable but trying to hold it together. We felt badly for him but his attitude was a turn off. The food was ridiculously salty. I thought I was in Scotland with the amount of salt we had in our food, but quickly remembered that there is no stuffed cabbage in Scotland. The food took FOREVER. I was really, really hungry and I thought maybe it was the hunger that made it feel like it was taking forever, but my partner told me it was taking as long as I thought. The stuffed cabbage was ridiculously salty. The pepsi and the water weren't enough to get the saltiness to tame down. The stuffed cabbage was also FROZEN so the centre was room temperature/luke warm at best. The spinach pita was more like a puff pastry filled with scrambled egg and the occasional piece of spinach - nothing spanokopita-like at all (sorry to Greece for the temporary confusion on my part). The portions were also ridiculously small. I was hungry but couldn't stomach more of the food here. Also, the thing that absolutely pissed me off is $2 for pepsi. They serve it in a small glass with ice...so you're paying $2 for less than half a can of pepsi. The menu looked expansive. I will DEFINITELY try Bosnian food again but just not here. I think the food sounds really exciting and different and I'd like to try it somewhere that could do it justice...which isn't here.
(1)Nadia P.
Dear Fordinka, You rock taste buds like Goran Bregović rocks the guitar -- and that's not the Slivovitz talking. Thank you.
(5)A.M. K.
My husband and I love to frequent Astoria about 3 times a year. Several failed attempts to eat at Drina Daisy due to their limited hours at times has become ongoing joke between us. I've been wanting to eat here for years. I thought that maybe all the hype I've built up in my own head might be difficult for Drina Daisy to live up to. Not the case at all. This is a superb restaurant. We were so pleased with our entire meal, our service, and the atmosphere. We tried the coffee, salad, smoked meats, beef cabbage roll, and the roasted lamb. All excellent. It's simple, understated, and the flavors are amazing. You can taste the passion this woman has for her food. We can not wait to eat at Drina Daisy again.
(5)Yuliya Z.
Amazing food, friendly staff, good value. The lamb is absolutely incredible, large portions
(5)Karen J.
Some local friends took us to dinner here. I was a little skeptical, not being much of an adventurer and not really enjoying "authentic" foods much. However, this was the best food I've eaten while eating out, hands down. The waiter knew our friends and was happy to see us all. We went during the week and had a wonderful time. Best.Food.Ever!
(5)Kristoph B.
COME ENJOY THIS AMAZING PLACE!!! I can't wait to come back. Great food Great Wine. Great Service. fun and inviting, relaxing. took the edge off just right. Once upon a holiday from Washington to Oregon; a friend of mine was struggling for Jack in the Box cause he "just wanted to eat" we had been "just eating" for like a day on holiday and that was enough. i was determined to find us something. that's was the beginning of my Yelpy life. ha ha. Reading the reviews of restaurants in our local vicinity whilst stay at Seaside. I was absolutely intrigued by the things people were saying about this place. Thus my mission to convince my party, Hey let's get some Bosnian food? WT-F's everywhere, but they were willing. except the Jack in the Box guy. Tugging and pulling i got him closer and closer. Everyone else was excited probably due a little to my enthusiasm. Even on our way to the restaurant i saw a (i presume) couple. Sparking conversation as the social bug i am. I asked what they were up to, they were on vacation and wanted a bite to eat and heard about Drina Daisy and wanted to try something new. I used there glow to manipulate my friends a little more into going. Finally we arrived inside. Talking to a local that was enjoying his meal at a bar style of the restaurant, he spoke very highly of Drina Daisy and every item on the menu. I am not joking. Very pumped our server greets us and took us to our table. In a beautifully decorated room with lovely tables and accessories. Upon gazing at the menu we were blown away by the prices of everything. Beautiful delicious food with fresh fruit on every plate i saw. i even saw the couple from the street two tables away, as they were leaving i asked how there meal was cause we were happily on appetizers. The thrill of what was to come in our meals rushed me. After getting my yummy food, i devoured every last bite. Great assortment of wine that was very nicely explained to me being a wine fan. desert was the 3rd best baklava I've ever had. yum yum. Upon leaving all of my friends were freakishly satisfied and overjoyed at our decision. I hope you make the same choice and go enjoy this amazing place.
(5)Les B.
For such a small, three person, operation the Drina Daisy is huge on taste and value. My wife and I spent five days in Astoria this past February. We ate at the Drina twice, I had a mixed plate appetizer of smoked sausage, dried beef, cheese, and smoked peppers. For the entree I had the spit roasted lamb both times. My wife had cabbage rolls one night and stuffed FILO pita the other. The portions were large, perfectly seasoned, and were accompanied by fresh fruit, salad, and vegetables. I absolutely love this place and will fly back from St. Louis next year just to eat there again.
(5)Kady B.
A caterer friend had been raving about Drina Daisy for years, so I was excited to finally get a chance to try it during a recent visit to Astoria. I still haven't really tried the food--other than the bread and a couple glasses of wine--but I'm no longer excited to try it. This was the ONLY time in my life that I've ever walked out of a restaurant after ordering. We waited for an hour and 20 minutes for our dinners. The restaurant was about two-thirds full on a Saturday night--not completely packed. We ordered one dish that the menu warned took longer to prepare (but had we known it would take more than 80 minutes(!), we would have chosen something else). I can only assume that the kitchen staff was as inefficient as the waiter, who avoided eye contact with other diners unless he was serving them. An apology and a time estimate. An offer to provide a salad on the house. An offer or more bread. Anything like that would have kept us there. HORRIBLE SERVICE! Not even the best meal in the world is worth that wait when you're hungry. And to top it off, when we decided to leave, my boyfriend couldn't get anyone's attention to break a fifty-dollar bill so he had to go to a bar down the street to get change.
(1)Jesse s.
Get the cockta!
(5)Rachel K.
This is the place! Great food complimented by outstanding wine and beer of the region. If you miss this place you have missed out! From the excellent lamb plate to the best cabbage rolls you've ever had, I highly recommend this restaurant both for its authenticity and the heart-warming stewardship of its owners. Thank you!
(5)Val B.
We loved the hot food, warm interior, and sweet service! The food is excellent! I loved the goulash and hubby loved his lamb! Wish I could remember the precise names of the dishes we ordered!
(5)Giovanni R.
The Food is excellent , all farm fresh fruits, vegetables and local fresh meats. Old world craftmenship , delicious food. The owners are the nicest people you could ever meet. I had the lamb alomg with some Gompers Gin on the rocks the traditional way folks in the Balkans drink.
(5)Dawn D.
Been to Astoria many times and always wanted to try this place but timing never prevailed till this time and I have to say the reviews were spot on!!! This restaurant is awesome ! Started out with a bottle of fine Serbian wine ( which is a delightful difference to American wine) and a wonderful appetizer of smoked beef and smoked sausages with pickled stuffed peppers and cheese! Now moving on to the main course, the lamb was Devine (and being lamb fans, it was top notch) and the cabbage rolls were melt in your mouth!!! The sour cream and seasoned beef on top were uncharted grounds for my palate. !!! Wonderful meal !!! So glad we got to experience this restaurant for our 25th wedding anniversary !!! Highly recommend:)
(5)Jeanne J.
Every time I go to Astoria Oregon I make a point of eating at the Drina Daisy. The food is always fresh and delicious. I like the quaint setting, the husband wife team, and the relaxed dining pace. I've had the Goulash and Sarma, and Kava. The Baklava is just sumptuous. Every plate is artfully presented with the freshest fruits and vegetables. Do yourself a favor and try it. You'll be glad you did.
(5)Jason H.
I like trying new things especially on vacation. My wife sent me out for takeout from here. The food was amazing! And the only thing better than the food was the service. They were quick to ask about utensils, or if I wanted to try some lamb while I waited for my food. I will be returning to this place hopefully next time to eat there.
(5)Rafael L.
I visited Astoria last weekend, and first time at this restaurant. I had a chance to try the Burek or Bosnian style pita, and this was probably one of the best dishes I've ever had! I will definitely come back here next time I visit. If you visit Astoria, GO HERE! food is awesome. In the past, I used to eat and have a beer at the great brewery in town, from now on, I will stop and eat here first, then go to the brewery afterwards.
(5)Avalon T.
If I lived in astoria I would eat here all the time. The food is so amazing that I swear I felt my taste buds dancing. Everything on the menu looks so tempting. :)
(5)Jay N.
An absolute gem we discovered on a road trip up the West Coast, stopping in picturesque, sleepy, friendly little Astoria, Oregon; Drina Daisy touts itself as 'old world comfort food' and as being a taste of Bosnia. I'm not sure what Bosnia tastes like but judging from the food and hospitality we received here, I'd say it must be delicious. The food doesn't appear to be any typical American's idea of what Bosnian food should be, but the true interpretation of the very Bosnian owner and chef. The manager was friendly, chatty (okay, REALLY chatty) and enjoyed giving us the history and idea behind his restaurant and how they pride themselves in this food. My partner had the stuffed cabbage. Beautiful, nothing spicy but filling, true belly warming, heart filling comfort food stuffed to bursting with meats and veggies, plated absolutely beautifully with a salad in a raised cup surrounded by a little sculpture garden of fresh fruit, meticulously cut and placed on the plate. The huge dollop of sour creme on top was a perfect touch and added to the meal. My dish was a puff pastry filled with meat and onions and I'm sorry I forget the name. Again, stuffed full. The olive oil used to cook it was definitely noticeable but nothing which bothered the food. Again, BEAUTIFULLY plated with fruit and salad, a lot of fruit and large helping of sour cream. Flaky pastry filled with meat and onions, fresh fruit, a wonderful lite summer salad! On a wonderful two-week trip from California to Washington State, this was a culinary highlight and one I had to share here. (please see the photos I've posted of the food). The atmosphere is charming, quiet and bright. The one drawback appears to be the uncertainty of business hours which I've seen others note. Even our hotel cautioned us to make sure it was open before visiting as they apparently are prone to closing early without much notice; that said, I recommend a call before visiting, but visiting you must. Old world Bosnia never tasted so good!
(4)Dyl D.
We travel to Astoria from Beaverton just to go to this amazing restaurant. When you visit Astoria, don't miss this place. Great service and unique, fantastic food made by real people. This is not a typical restaurant with random cooks in the back. The food is painstakingly prepared by the owner and her family. They care about the quality of every meal they make. It's not about the money for them. They do it for the love of food and the art of sharing their culture through food.
(5)Jerry B.
My wife and I selected this restaurant based on the reviews offered by others. It may have been an off night but we were not impressed. We were there at 7:00 PM and they were out of the main lamb entree. Appeared to be poor planning on the part of kitchen. We ordered a bottle of wine and it was "ok". The Waiter seemed somewhat overwhelmed. It should be said that the place was packed. Maybe they were not ready for a full house. I had beef wrapped in cabbage ( Pigs in a blanket is what mom called them). Again they were just "ok". The side salad was excellent. Probably will not go back .
(3)Jake A.
Overrated, overpriced, and disappointed. I don't know why this place got such great review. The lamb was $27. It was very bland and fatty. The decor was interesting but I was shocked to see so much flies or some kind insect flying all over the dinning room. All I can say eat at your risk. Needlessly I'm not returning. Once is more than enough.
(1)K B.
Must try for food (though you got to pray the old dude is in a good mood;)), save room for coffee !!! If you find yourself on this side of oregon coast, you should give this place a try. From outside the place doesn't look like much but as you enter you notice the front desk and dining hall simply yet tastefully decorated with artifacts and pictures from Bosnia. The dining hall feels very cozy as if you are in someone's home. The old gentleman and his son who run the place offer good service but I can understand that he can come off as obnoxious if he doesn't like something which I think is weird since they are in a service business. There was a problem with my order (miscommunication on both our parts...Strike 1), he didn't seem very happy about it but he gracefully offered to correct my order which I appreciated a lot since being a vegetarian I couldnt have done much with the beef entree I received. Me and my boyfriend tried the stuffed cabbage leaves (vegetarian option) and the beef stew. The food was absolutely delectable with a very aromatic blend of Mediterranean spices. Loved the vegetable medley which was perfectly cooked, just a little more tender than stir fry but not overcooked. They do claim to house a 3rd generation bosnian chef and I don't doubt it. After entrées, we decided to try the baklava and bosnian coffee. Their baklava has a super thick center and is drenched in lemony honey syrup - unexpected but very welcome adventure for your taste buds. If that doesn't give you a sugar high, nothing ever will. If you are a coffee enthusiast, you have to save some room for coffee towards the end. They serve turkish kahva in traditional copper colored ornate tableware. I ordered the other one on the menu which comes with a dollop of whipped cream. I would recommend trying it without the cream because the coffee is just absolutely heavenly. I had to try to get to the coffee under the mound of whipped cream which one wasn't very visually appealing and again I think the old guy wasn't very pleased about me destroying their creation (oops...Strike 2).By now he gave up on our table completely, but we did try to show our appreciation by leaving a handsome tip. But this was probably the second best coffee I have ever had other than the cuban, definitely a must try for food despite a little bit of elderly attitude (fingers crossed that I m not going to receive any threats..I have tried to be unbiased and honest !!!)
(4)Anita B.
My husband and I stopped here for dinner after walking out of a dark, dingy and foul smelling restaurant down the street. We are both passionate foodies, and we were pleasantly surprised by Drina Daisy. Don't come here if you need to be served quickly, but the wait wasn't terribly long. We both had the stuffed cabbage and it was awesome. Real home-style Eastern European food with generous portions. Served with super fresh salad and fruit. Some folks seem to be put off by the owner's reserve, but he is a very hard working guy, without a server on the night we were there. Highly recommend this place which exceeded our expectations.
(5)Brian L.
So good we went back the next day! The Kafa is a must, lamb amazing, and cabbage wrapped beef to die for. Fresh fruit with every entree, perfect. Will come back if I am ever in the area again.
(5)Skott S.
Great atmosphere! Fantastic food, and superb music. All these plus the owners passion for their culture made our dining experience amazing and soul enriching. Stop in and you will not be disappointed.
(5)Wayne A.
All these four and five-star reviews are baffling. I recently went back to this place for a second time, having convinced myself that the first time around was disappointing only because I had ordered the wrong entree. Actually, it only got worse. Much worse. My girlfriend and I had waited all day for the sumptuous repast this place supposedly has to offer. When I'd been there previously I had caught a glimpse of a huge platter of steaming roast lamb that looked succulent and smelled heavenly. I could hardly wait to return for a taste of that carnivore's dream. The lone waiter is apparently the priprietor and husband of the cook, and he's a fussy, rather obnoxious piece of work. He greeted us perfunctorily and offered us our choice of two tables, both of which were tiny and in the middle of the room. We were the only ones in the place but I knew from previous experience that it would be futile to ask for a more comfortable table. Apparently they're always expecting huge parties of supplicants who never seem to arrive. We both ordered the lamb; the specialty of the house. The waiter looked at his watch and suggested we might want to order something else because there was none left over from lunch (we were surprised that they would even consider serving leftovers to the dinner crowd) and that the next serving wouldn't be ready for at least another 20 minutes or so. Starving though we were, we were more than happy to wait for the next batch of roast lamb fresh from the oven. So we enjoyed a couple of varieties of Bosnian beer, nibbled on the tiny bits of stale bread we had been served and waited expectantly. An hour later we were finally served. It was an odd presentation on a metal platter with unrecognizable lamb parts surrounded by scraps of veggies and fruit. After waiting patiently for the "good stuff" we found to our horror that everything, including the lamb that had presumably just come out of the cooker, was stone cold. The "meat" was appalling: nothing but bone and gristle with a few tiny shreds of meat attached, and a huge (3" diameter) glob of fat right in the middle of the mess. Had we not been weak with hunger and in such a state of shock at the sight of those hideous offerings we would given the proprietor a pungent critique and walked out. Instead, we slogged through that platter of unheated garbage, paid up and got the hell out of there. I wonder how on earth they stay in business. I'm hardly surprised by the posting from the guy who claimed the proprietor sent him a threatening email because of his negative review. There's something bizarre and twisted about that place and they don't deserve anyone's business.
(1)Eliza C.
So nice when you stop in to a dead place and you have to leave because the menu is beef-centric and lame (they have 3 veggie items, pretty much cheese with lettuce). I explained that I didn't see anything that for my veggie fancy (cuz I still like protein or eggplant or something) and I got a huge eye roll -- back atcha, buddy.
(1)Ann S.
The lighting is harsh, and they were out of cabbage rolls, but the food was absolutely delicious. We had the "deeply smoked" beef appetizer, and the beef stew for a main course. The food was perfectly seasoned and beautifully presented. I would go out of my way to eat here again!
(5)Jon A.
A memorable meal. We had the roast lamb and stuffed cabbage, and both were exquisite. And the lamb came on a huge platter with several sorts of fresh fruit and salad. Everything was fresh and delicious, clearly a lot of care goes into the cooking here. Nice selection of Balkan wines. The couple who runs the place were really nice, too.
(5)Ben M.
Drina was a quaint little place and weeded served quickly and politely by a single gentlemen (owner?) all evening. The food was absolutely delicious and plentiful and the wine and beer from Croatia and Bosnia were equally pleasing. We had a wonderful evening.
(5)Captain C. Branagain G.
Drina Daisy and your supporter "Ken B." -- Do you really think it wise to send me a private message via Yelp filled with a threat as well as vulgarities in Bosnian? Do you really think that I will not log your IP Address & MAC Address and trace it via legal channels to report you? Maybe you can rate how many stars our justice system merits in dealing with immature simpletons like yourself. All of this because I gave you a negative review for bad customer service and put a non-offensive phrase in Bosnian within it for levity? Sad, sad, little people. I bid you peace.
(1)Erin H.
Astoria? Twice in ONE WEEK? Time for some super Yelping opportunity! Apparently not. Arriving at 11:30 AM on a Friday and finding the place locked up tight, I was a bit peeved. The sign in the window said 'Open' and the opening time was listed as 11am. However, the place was dark dark dark!!! I checked my phone a half dozen times just to make sure it was really Friday at 11:30. How annoying. This was our Bosnian day! For shame. I was all hyped to try this gem. Maybe next time I can give them five stars....?
(1)Karli W.
Our dishes were excellent! Beer and wine pairings were spot on. It was such a relaxing meal. The atmosphere was almost like having a wonderful dinner at a friends home. We will be visiting again very soon.
(5)Skip C.
We stayed outside of Astoria and a friend of mine recommended this restaurant to us. We got into town at about 9:00 pm and it Drina was closed. The owner saw us through the window and noticed how disappointed we were and re-opened the restaurant for us. Good thing too because by the time that we left she had filled 4 more tables :). Our waiter was a bit off but he might have been right on in Bosnia so to me it added to the overall appeal. He had a certain charm about him. Our food took a little (just a tad) longer to come out so the owner presented us with a plate of pickled veggies and cured meats. To me this was the highlight, the whole plate was fantastic. I decided on ordering the cabbage stuffed beef with risotto and was not disappointed. The dish came with fresh fruit and veggies as well to round out a fine meal. My table mates had the lamb which of course I sunk my fork into as soon as it hit the table and instantly had food envy. I topped off my meal with the Brandy and the overall experience was fantastic. Will I go back? Yes for sure. The highlight was the smile on the Drina's face as we thanked her for such a delightful evening.
(4)Lana G.
Drina Daisy is a surprisingly large and apparently successful restaurant offering highly esoteric ethnic food -- Bosnian -- in a small city that does not seem to be filled with adventurous palates. We attribute its success to the extremely high quality of the food, which is not at all spicy but can be pungent with onions and garlic. Everything that other Yelpers have reported is true: the food is great, fresh, and well presented. Fruits and vegetables are obviously chosen with the utmost care. Considering the price, dinner here is a bargain. The service is friendly. However, the production is slooow. We dined late and nevertheless waited forty-five minutes for our meals when, to the best of our knowledge, ours were the only orders still in the kitchen. You can, of course, while away the time eating the heavy bread and drinking the mostly eastern European beers and wines. The obvious danger is that you will fill up on bread and beer long before your very substantial dinner arrives. Less obviously, the beers can knock you on your butt. We tried a couple of Belgian beers and found the Piraat acceptable but with a alcohol content appropriate to a wine, over ten percent. On the other hand, the first Belgian I tried, the Duchess du Bourgogne, turned out to be one of those irritating Belgian fruit beers. It tasted not at all like beer but like fermented berries, which is the kindest thing I can say about it. Next time, we'll order a wine, the Austrian Gruner Veltliner, a quiet little white that can be drunk as an apertif and should pair nicely with the food.
(4)Bobby M.
My wife and I were thoroughly impressed with this restaurant. The portion sizes were generous to say the least, the staff was extremely friendly and the prices were reasonable. I had the burak (beef pita) which is basically a crispy, pastry like outside stuffed with slow cooked beef, onions and vegetables under a spoonful of sour cream. What sets this place apart is the authenticity and attention to details. The food presentation was immaculate and the beer and wine selection is straight out of Eastern Europe. Overall a great destination.
(4)Betsy S.
This was pretty good for Astoria... My expectations have gotten lower and lower for this area the more I've eaten around town. This place has a few things going for it - Big hearty servings of interesting flavors at fairly reasonable prices. Lots of bread, large portions of fresh fruit, and free samples of an interesting soda-type beverage for the kids. Our server was very friendly and warm, but I've been here a couple times that they were supposed to be open and they weren't. I was told that when the ower doesn't feel like opening, she just doesn't. Well, you couldn't get away with that in Portland, but I guess in Astoria... My interaction with the owner was downright unpleasant. She's got no concept of customer service...
(3)Diem L.
First time I had Bosnian food and it was pretty good...Had the cucumber salad which was delish...Had to share it with the table as it was a pretty decent portion...I had the beef stew which was definitely succulent...Service was attentive and the restaurant is a nice lil mom & pop shop that I thoroughly enjoyed...Would definitely venture again....Take notice that they are closed on Monday & Tuesday...Definite fan...
(4)Tater H.
Delicious! Absolutely the best Bosnian Cuisine I have ever eaten! Thank you!
(4)Matthew N.
What an interesting place! We had a delicious meat platter, you should try for something different when in Astoria.
(4)T W V.
If there is better food in Astoria, I haven't found it yet. I rate the rotisseried lamb (evenings) to be perfect, the sarma (cabbage rolls, beef or vegetarian) magnificent, and the other items all more than just fine. I judge the presentation of the plate, with small green salad and fresh fruit dominating, to be refreshing. The appetizers of smoked meat, sausage, and pickled vegetables are all excellent. The foreign wines are interesting, the central European soft drink ("cockta," I think it's called) great with the meal. I try to go there as regularly as I can. The restaurant itself is clean, elegant. The cook is from Bosnia, and she knows her stuff. She's often very, very busy, but when she has a moment free she can be extremely generous and friendly. Her husband, chief waiter, is wry and funny and polite and a gentleman. Other comments to contrary among reviewers make no sense to me, so I'll say no more. If, like me, you are trying to cut carbs, the lamb and sarma meals are IDEAL for this. Just avoid the (delicious, alas) bread. Indeed, there are almost no places to eat for someone trying some variant of the primal/Atkin's diet. Drina Daisy is excellent for this. When I wish to take someone from the big city to impress them with good food, I take them here. The owners call the cuisine "Bosnian comfort food," but this is not meat-and-potato boring American food, not at all, nor is it heavy, pasta-based fare. The food strikes me as great tasting and good for you.
(5)Jenderon T.
So the wife and I were meandering through the town of Astoria, literally. We had decided to take a trip from Portland up here, at somewhat the last minute. A whirlwind tour of the Maritime Museum followed by a quick run up to the Astoria Tower where we freezed my nuts off as the rain started to come down then a rush down pass Flavel house on our way to the Goonies house. As the wife keenly commented, "we lived in Los Angeles where there's a famous movie spot everywhere and we didn't give a damn then but here we are standing in front of an obscure movie location in the rain and it's cold. WTF!" Hey, the sea lions sounded cool in the distance. But I digress. Using our trusty Yelp app on the phone, we first thought we go to this brew pub nearby but that looked pretty lame. There's not a lot of choices for dinner in Astoria and it didn't seem like there was much in the darkness across the Columbia in Washington so hey there's a Bosnian restaurant nearby. Really, Bosnian?! Okay I'm game. So after being seated, we ordered some Czech wine, one was a full-bodied red with a hint of spice while the other was a spicier lighter-bodied red. Our waiter who I think was the owner suggested the spicier wine as a counter point to the full-bodied mellow wine. It was a great combo indeed as he keenly noticed we would share our wines. We then decided to share an entree of lamb and a salad. The entree came with bread and we chose a roasted red-bell pepper puree spread to go with it. Everything was tasty but on hindsight somewhat unremarkable. It was certainly filling but the lamb wasn't particularly flavorful and it was a little tough. I like my lamb very tender and ready to fall off the bone. I guess I should've asked if Bosnian lamb is a bit more tough but I somehow convinced myself that it would exude a strong flavor from spices but not so much here. Tasty but not remarkably so. The bread was okay, different but again nothing to write home about. The puree went nicely with it but as the wife mentioned, we could've done the puree at home and probably better. The fruit was interestingly put together on the same platter. It wasn't too bad but certainly not organic farm fresh as it was already out of season for these fruits. Ah, but the grapes, were the highlight. There was four dark purple grapes that were as large as imported olives but very sweet and firm. After we polished what was exactly as advertised "comfort food" as it was definitely comforting on a cool rainy night, we ordered the homemade Baklava. That was a bit better than the entree. It was a tall piece, a bit too sweet for my taste, and a bit too dense for my taste but I have to say, overal, it still impressed me over the usual factory ordered kind at most places. But in the end, other than the Baklava and the four grapes, overal, it wasn't a remarkable meal of surprises or flavors. BUT they do advertise as "comfort food" and I think it succeeds in that respect although a bit pricey for comfort.
(3)Amy Y.
While in Astoria for the nearby Long Beach, WA International Kite Festival, we spent an afternoon poking around the shops in Astoria. We spied Drina Daisy while driving by, and marveled at it. We had a relative with us that never strays off the chain restaurant track, while my husband and I are always looking for a new, unique experience and taste. We talked her into it. The place is cute as a button, although right now it suffers from location. All around it is empty real estate either left fallow, or in the throes of remodeling. Hopefully around it will spring some worthy neighbors. The decor is demure and lovely, with stunning orchids all around. It's small and cozy, and we were waited on with relaxed, laid back service that wasn't rushed. I wouldn't say it was slow, it just wasn't rushed. What I didn't like, however, was our waiter's lack of interest in engaging. I like to ask questions and learn when I'm somewhere new: how to pronounce the dishes, how the restaurant came to be, what's the story... and this older blond haired gentleman was having nothing of it. He wasn't rude, he was just there to take our orders, fill our glasses, serve our food and see that we were satisfied. As there was only one other table in the place at the after-lunch hour of our arrival, that was a disappointment. We started with some ajvar, a roasted red pepper and eggplant spread for the bread, and it was so yummy we got an order to go so we could have it with cheese and crackers that night. For entrees we ordered Sarma (cabbage rolls), Burek (filo wrapped around beef, onions and seasoning stopped with sour cream... I call it the Bosnian Burrito), and Gulasch. All were rich and flavorful, well prepared and presented beautifully. The best part was that each entree came with a small salad of greens with cucumber, tomato wedge and artichoke heart. There was also a nice sizable selection of fresh fruits on each plate. It was a delicious combo from start to finish. The menu states these are all from the cook's family recipes, and I remarked, "If this is Bosnian comfort food, then I'm changing my nationality!" I could settle down with a plate of Burek frequently. The filo was so crisp on the outside, but moist enough on the inside that at times you almost had a hint of texture of cheese as the beef juices and spices soaked into the filo. The Gulasch was meat, red pepper and spices, little else. My dining partner wished for... something... to lighten it up. Some potato perhaps. We finished with a bit of baklava split three ways, just a tiny bite or two to top off the meal. It was good, but not great -- perhaps I'm spoiled by having eaten way too much baklava made from the basement of a church amidst a Greek community. But I was expecting MORE flakey layers and more rich gooeyness. But, it certainly was a pretty high low point, all in all! I'd certainly eat there again, and recommend it highly to others!
(4)Michael C.
Fantastic food and very nice owners. Came here twice during our trip. Would highly recommend to anyone. The lamb was delicious, as were the various Boreks and stuffed cabbage. Great selection of Eastern European wines and beers as well. Food just like your grandmother used to make; that is if your grandmother was a really nice Bosnian lady named Daisy.
(5)Linda H.
A delightful discovery! From the service to the food, Drina Daisy was a winner. The owners are careful about every detail and take pride in taking care of you. The waiter/manager is a delightful man, friendly and helpful. We (2 people) came in with a much larger group. He made sure to take our order first so we wouldn't have to wait for the large group. He helped with wine selection and offered to take back the wine if my husband didn't like it. I had the vegetarian stuffed cabbage and found it very tasty. The seasoning was perfect and everything was cooked to perfection. My husband had the beef goulash and also loved it. Dinners are served with complementary homemade bread with a yummy pepper spread or butter, a small perfect salad and generous helping of fruit. From the cucumbers to the canteloupe, every piece was selected to be ripe and perfect. The owner cooks and doesn't let anything substandard arrive at your table. It's a short menu (12 entrees) but had great choices for my husband (the committed carnivore) and me (the determined vegetarian). The one drawback was that dishes were a bit oilier than we preferred, though that may be a Bosnian style. Highly recommend!
(5)Lee B.
If you have never considered dinner here you are missing out on some fabulous food and drink. The food is made fresh when you order (so obviously it takes a little time), the bread is baked every morning, and the beer is imported from Eastern Europe. The atmosphere is a relaxed elegance if you wish or you can sit at the bar and chat it up with the owners like the locals do. All in all the Drina Daisy is not speedy but the food is superb, the prices borderline cheap, and the portions are huge. So do I recommend dinner here? Most definitely!
(5)Chani B.
This was one of the most enjoyable,delightful and pleasantly surprising meals Ive had in a long time. Its almost on par with Alan Wong,except I had no idea that Bosnian food was so yummy! Ok so like almost everyone who visits Astoria to see Mikey's house,we too were taken with Drina Daisy. My husband had the Sarma-Stuffed cabbage leaves with beef,I had the Burek-filo folded and baked around ground organic beef,with spices and garlic. Yummy yummy yummy I got love in my tummy! My friend had lamb and it was divine.I know b/c ate off her plate. ( note to self: I have to eat more lamb and not just for passover!) I also tried Duchesse de Bourgogne and will have to make a trip to Kress to pick some more up. We also tried their kafa and just the novelty of drinking it was fun,but I'm not a big coffee drinker( and yes I live in Seattle!) Still nice. Our waiter was attentive and really friendly. The restaurant had a family feel and made everyone feel welcomed. The kidlets tried some of the food,but mostly ate fruit;not to worry they did not starve! Our crew came for the lunch menu,but I wished we would have came for the dinner b/c that menu looked really yummy. We shall meet again Drina Daisy and you too Fratellis!
(5)Bobby D.
Astoria does have some good restaurants and this is one of them. The restaurant serves Bosnian food which seems like a mix of Greek and East European cuisines. Located on the commercial strip, there is some limited street parking. The service and waiter was good - my meal was out in less than 20 minutes. I ordered the Goulash which came with a small salad, fruit, and homemade bread. The goulash in this case is a sirloin cut of meat that is slow cooked until it melts in your mouth. It is cubed and has some very good spices added to it. The lunch was reasonably priced at around $10. Most of the entrees are 9 to $10. I also had the opportunity to try the stuffed cabbage which was also very good. They also offer Bosnian wine and have some unique brews. I should mention the place was very clean and well decorated. I do plan to go back sometime and try something else.
(4)Jo W.
Yums! The veggie cabbage roll was amazing, and the plum wine was fabulous! The owner/waiter was lovely and hilarious. Good times!
(4)Alena G.
I really don't understand these 4 and 5 star reviews. Perhaps we happened to be there on an off day, but we had a borderline horrible experience here. We waited a LONG time for the food, which wouldn't have been a big deal if the food we received was worth the wait. It was not. My husbands beef paprika was dry and quite literally 1/2 fat. It was extremely mild, only a hint of paprika taste. My spinach pie was bland, bland, bland. Really, you would have to work to create something so flavorless. The freshly baked bread was very good, as was the red pepper dipping sauce. My one star is for the bread. With all of these positive reviews it might be worth it to try Drina Daisy for yourself. As I said, perhaps we were there on an off day. However, our experience was so bad that I will not return. There are plenty of excellent restaurants in Astoria from which to choose.
(1)Al M.
Yeah, it's pretty good! No, it's not orgasmic, which is what a lot of people who have reviewed it seem to think about this place. We got the lamb for 2 and oh, it was a gorgeous presentation, but it was rather bland. From my experience of the Mediterranean countries cuisines, they do tend to fall on the blander side for my taste, but this was a little too low for me. It really tasted pretty much like pure cooked lamb. I have nothing specifically bad to say about this place, but I won't be going back either. Thus, it is A-OK.
(3)Jer S.
Awesome! Have a question? Just ask the very friendly and knowledgable staff and they will help sort it out. Fantastic beer and wine selections pair with a varied menu to suit every taste and nutritional need. If you enjoy good food and a pleasant atmosphere give this one a try.
(5)Patrick S.
Drina Daisy is the first and only Bosnian cuisine restaurant I have ever been, ever. I've been a here a few times and I am a real fan of Eastern European cooking (See Grandma S's cooking) so I can say with some experience that their dishes are authentic and they are deliciously good. I have had a couple of anomalies with their food like the Gulash being over salted and the baby carrots. Oh the baby carrots, I would rather eat real babies than eat baby carrots. But they were such small imperfections that they were easily overlooked especially when the service at Drina Daisy has always been impeccable. I felt so comfortable and at easy with the decor, the lighting and the smooth service everything was a perfect compliment to the food itself. Beer you say? Oh Yes they have a stellar selection of some really deep European brews that look like they were smuggled right into Astoria on a cargo ship via the Russia Mob. I have never had to wait on a table here but I have heard that the Summer time crowds make for long waits but be patient it will all be worth it. Nazdravlje!
(5)Damon G.
This place is a joke. We had dinner and it took over an hour and a half to make a small puff pastry filled with beef for two people. It was good, I will say that, but definitely not worth the wait. Upon inquiring if we could just get our dinner "to go" after an hour of waiting we got a rude reply about ordering an item that takes "a long time to prepare". I saw no such warning on the menu and there certainly was no verbal warning about the time required when I made the order. We looked around and noticed we weren't the only ones waiting. After we finally got our food the couple behind us got the same rude reply about ordering "special items that take time to prepare". They left soon after. With only a staff of two in a full restaurant I can only think the kitchen was ill-prepared to handle such a volume. I'm betting the only time the service is stellar is if you are the only one in there. Avoid this place if you're expecting prompt service or friendly service. Or if you have the whole night to kill, this is right up your alley...
(1)Summer R.
Like every other reviewer on this page, we randomly stumbled upon this restaurant on a quest to see Goonie town. Being Polish, I was absolutely shocked to see an Eastern European restaurant in redneck Astoria, and I made my fiance stop. My fiance is Arabic, and I'm Polish. So when we say that Fardinka's food was better than our mother's, that means A LOT. We were completely enchanted with the atmosphere (the place was remodeled recently after a fire) and decided to join the owners at their tiny coffee bar after we ate dinner. The chef was so sweet and amazing that she came out and gave us extra dessert, extra food to take home and a candy bar from Bosnia. In fact, the food was so amazing that we fired our caterer for our wedding and are hiring Drina Daisy instead. I don't know what such a good chef is doing in Astoria, of all places, but you are really missing out if you don't stop here on a trip to the coast.
(5)Mark R.
Possibly the finest meal I have been served stateside. Not just Balkan food, I mean meal period. I have traveled widely across Serbia and Croatia and I can state quite plainly that the meal served in little Astoria OR is better than anything I've encountered over there. Yet another one of these amazing little ethnic gems that only the luckiest of travel stumbles upon. And the fellow who wanted his meal served quickly is clearly an idiot. Food this amazing needs time to be prepared, but also savored. Best done with a mezze of bread, smoked meats and ajvar and a naturally a slivo. Their beer selection was otherworldly as well, featuring brews I had never seen served anywhere else. You Astorians are very lucky indeed!
(5)Elizabeth M.
The atmosphere is awesome, even when it's quiet and you're the only one in there, you feel welcome and right at home. Dress up a little, or don't, you are not out of place in the white-tablecloth and napkined seating with all of the amenities. The food is excellent, service is friendly if not almost family-like, polite and professional but warm. Try it, and do not be afraid to be adventurous. This is comfort food and a palate vacation. Astoria is EXACTLY the kind of "redneck" town to find something like Drina Daisy, a gateway to the world, beware of stereotyping, we're more cosmopolitan than you fear.
(5)Lori S.
My mother told me of this little place in Astoria. I don't venture into Astoria much because...well there is usually nothing there. This is not so when it comes to this place. The place is Bosnian and is very traditional in its service of food. Its not fast. Its served at a pace that is traditional to European dining. This is a family owned place. A husband and wife team who sometimes gets help from a stray cousin or nephew. The husband does the waiting . He is friendly and very helpful with the menu. My last visit was more than two hours of pure bliss. It was a Wednesday and a foreign cruise ship had docked close by. It was just packed in there with many people from all over Europe. Despite the huge demand those customers had, the husband and wife made sure that we had appetizers to eat and plenty of drinks while we waited. He apologized multiple time which I felt was totally unneeded. I never expect fine dining menu to be fast in any way and to have him rush many drinks and meats to me was better than I could imagine. The customers from the ship were very very demanding of his time and energy and did not seem to notice others had entered into the restaurant. Please all I implore you to stop by when you have a few hours and slowly enjoy all this little gem has to offer.
(5)Don P.
This was a great, unexpected find in Astoria. Excellent service and food.
(5)A J.
Very nice white tablecloth atmosphere at pretty reasonable prices. The fresh fruit presented with the meal was great. The hosts were very pleasant. The main courses were very traditional fare but nothing to write home about. Very acceptable meal but I guess I reserve 4 stars for stuff I think is pretty great, not just very good for the town it is in.
(3)Geraldine D.
I dragged my fiance to Astoria for one reason, and one reason only: we had to do the truffle shuffle outside The Goonies house. Fortunately, our last trip gave us both a reason to return, after we stumbled upon Drina Daisy. Because after driving around town photographing yourself in front of Mikey's dad's museum and the jail where the Fratellis made their big escape, you get a little hungry. And the only way to truly satisfy Chunk-sized hunger is with a huge platter of roasted lamb, meat stuffed cabbage leaves, and a huge bottle of wine. The decor isn't great, and the place looks a little worse for wear. Hell, all of Astoria needs a little love in that respect. But if you go, you will eat to heart's content while the owner tells you stories of Bosnia and you think about how funny it is to be in a nowhere town in Oregon, having a wonderful time, all thanks to The Goonies.
(5)Ted P.
I never knew that I really liked Bosnian food! We randomly stumbled upon Drina Daisy as we drove into town and it was a great detour. I had the gulys which was flavorful and heavy on the meat -- when the menu said "meat with a few vegetables", they weren't kidding! My wife had the stuffed cabbage which was probably the finest example of the dish that I've ever seen. The big win? The bread. Served steaming hot, it was great for sopping up every last drop of our meal.
(4)Philip W.
Well, I've never seen The Goonies - Mikey? Truffle Shuffle? - but cruising through Astoria en route from Eureka to Coupeville last year we marked Drina Daisy as a place to try, and a couple of weeks ago we got the chance. What a find! Who would have thought that this rainy former logging town at the mouth of the Columbia River, populated largely by Norwegians and Finns, would have a Bosnian restaurant run by an authentic Bosnian chef who had run a restaurant back in the Old Country? The interior is comfortable and cozy with lovely orchids scattered around, and the waiter (who I believe is the owner and/or the husband of the chef) was friendly and very helpful in helping us select our dishes. The cuisine was similar to Hungarian with more of a lamb focus (they roast a whole lamb almost every day). We had an appetizer of slices beef sausage and strips of smoked beef, served with ajvar (a delicious condiment made of mild red peppers and eggplant, we always have a jar in the fridge), cheese, and fresh and pickled vegetables. As an entree I had the gulys - similar to Hungarian gulyas/goulash, a stew of tender beef in a gravy flavored with paprika, but with a lot of thyme also, served with mixed vegetables and fruit. Extremely rich and flavorful, the thyme adding an unusual herby note to a dish which is often merely spicy. Sara had slices roasted lamb, similar to high-quality Turkish doner kebapi, perfectly cooked and served with more ajvar, veg and fruit. Drina Daisy has an impressive list of beers and wines from the Balkans and Eastern and Central Europe: I had a bottle of Niksicko Pils, and excellent, subtly-flavored pilsener from Montenegro, and Sara had a glass of Hungarian Kadarka, a rich red varietal wine which is a major component of the famous Bull's Blood. We finished off with Turkish coffee, served in miniature cezves for us to pour ourselves, and a tasty, nutty baklava. And all this, appetizer, entrees, drinks, coffee, and dessert for two, came to only $56, a very moderate price for a meal this good. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Geraldine D.
I dragged my fiance to Astoria for one reason, and one reason only: we had to do the truffle shuffle outside The Goonies house. Fortunately, our last trip gave us both a reason to return, after we stumbled upon Drina Daisy. Because after driving around town photographing yourself in front of Mikey's dad's museum and the jail where the Fratellis made their big escape, you get a little hungry. And the only way to truly satisfy Chunk-sized hunger is with a huge platter of roasted lamb, meat stuffed cabbage leaves, and a huge bottle of wine. The decor isn't great, and the place looks a little worse for wear. Hell, all of Astoria needs a little love in that respect. But if you go, you will eat to heart's content while the owner tells you stories of Bosnia and you think about how funny it is to be in a nowhere town in Oregon, having a wonderful time, all thanks to The Goonies.
(5)Ted P.
I never knew that I really liked Bosnian food! We randomly stumbled upon Drina Daisy as we drove into town and it was a great detour. I had the gulys which was flavorful and heavy on the meat -- when the menu said "meat with a few vegetables", they weren't kidding! My wife had the stuffed cabbage which was probably the finest example of the dish that I've ever seen. The big win? The bread. Served steaming hot, it was great for sopping up every last drop of our meal.
(4)Philip W.
Well, I've never seen The Goonies - Mikey? Truffle Shuffle? - but cruising through Astoria en route from Eureka to Coupeville last year we marked Drina Daisy as a place to try, and a couple of weeks ago we got the chance. What a find! Who would have thought that this rainy former logging town at the mouth of the Columbia River, populated largely by Norwegians and Finns, would have a Bosnian restaurant run by an authentic Bosnian chef who had run a restaurant back in the Old Country? The interior is comfortable and cozy with lovely orchids scattered around, and the waiter (who I believe is the owner and/or the husband of the chef) was friendly and very helpful in helping us select our dishes. The cuisine was similar to Hungarian with more of a lamb focus (they roast a whole lamb almost every day). We had an appetizer of slices beef sausage and strips of smoked beef, served with ajvar (a delicious condiment made of mild red peppers and eggplant, we always have a jar in the fridge), cheese, and fresh and pickled vegetables. As an entree I had the gulys - similar to Hungarian gulyas/goulash, a stew of tender beef in a gravy flavored with paprika, but with a lot of thyme also, served with mixed vegetables and fruit. Extremely rich and flavorful, the thyme adding an unusual herby note to a dish which is often merely spicy. Sara had slices roasted lamb, similar to high-quality Turkish doner kebapi, perfectly cooked and served with more ajvar, veg and fruit. Drina Daisy has an impressive list of beers and wines from the Balkans and Eastern and Central Europe: I had a bottle of Niksicko Pils, and excellent, subtly-flavored pilsener from Montenegro, and Sara had a glass of Hungarian Kadarka, a rich red varietal wine which is a major component of the famous Bull's Blood. We finished off with Turkish coffee, served in miniature cezves for us to pour ourselves, and a tasty, nutty baklava. And all this, appetizer, entrees, drinks, coffee, and dessert for two, came to only $56, a very moderate price for a meal this good. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Jer S.
Awesome! Have a question? Just ask the very friendly and knowledgable staff and they will help sort it out. Fantastic beer and wine selections pair with a varied menu to suit every taste and nutritional need. If you enjoy good food and a pleasant atmosphere give this one a try.
(5)Kady B.
A caterer friend had been raving about Drina Daisy for years, so I was excited to finally get a chance to try it during a recent visit to Astoria. I still haven't really tried the food--other than the bread and a couple glasses of wine--but I'm no longer excited to try it. This was the ONLY time in my life that I've ever walked out of a restaurant after ordering. We waited for an hour and 20 minutes for our dinners. The restaurant was about two-thirds full on a Saturday night--not completely packed. We ordered one dish that the menu warned took longer to prepare (but had we known it would take more than 80 minutes(!), we would have chosen something else). I can only assume that the kitchen staff was as inefficient as the waiter, who avoided eye contact with other diners unless he was serving them. An apology and a time estimate. An offer to provide a salad on the house. An offer or more bread. Anything like that would have kept us there. HORRIBLE SERVICE! Not even the best meal in the world is worth that wait when you're hungry. And to top it off, when we decided to leave, my boyfriend couldn't get anyone's attention to break a fifty-dollar bill so he had to go to a bar down the street to get change.
(1)Jesse s.
Get the cockta!
(5)Kristoph B.
COME ENJOY THIS AMAZING PLACE!!! I can't wait to come back. Great food Great Wine. Great Service. fun and inviting, relaxing. took the edge off just right. Once upon a holiday from Washington to Oregon; a friend of mine was struggling for Jack in the Box cause he "just wanted to eat" we had been "just eating" for like a day on holiday and that was enough. i was determined to find us something. that's was the beginning of my Yelpy life. ha ha. Reading the reviews of restaurants in our local vicinity whilst stay at Seaside. I was absolutely intrigued by the things people were saying about this place. Thus my mission to convince my party, Hey let's get some Bosnian food? WT-F's everywhere, but they were willing. except the Jack in the Box guy. Tugging and pulling i got him closer and closer. Everyone else was excited probably due a little to my enthusiasm. Even on our way to the restaurant i saw a (i presume) couple. Sparking conversation as the social bug i am. I asked what they were up to, they were on vacation and wanted a bite to eat and heard about Drina Daisy and wanted to try something new. I used there glow to manipulate my friends a little more into going. Finally we arrived inside. Talking to a local that was enjoying his meal at a bar style of the restaurant, he spoke very highly of Drina Daisy and every item on the menu. I am not joking. Very pumped our server greets us and took us to our table. In a beautifully decorated room with lovely tables and accessories. Upon gazing at the menu we were blown away by the prices of everything. Beautiful delicious food with fresh fruit on every plate i saw. i even saw the couple from the street two tables away, as they were leaving i asked how there meal was cause we were happily on appetizers. The thrill of what was to come in our meals rushed me. After getting my yummy food, i devoured every last bite. Great assortment of wine that was very nicely explained to me being a wine fan. desert was the 3rd best baklava I've ever had. yum yum. Upon leaving all of my friends were freakishly satisfied and overjoyed at our decision. I hope you make the same choice and go enjoy this amazing place.
(5)Les B.
For such a small, three person, operation the Drina Daisy is huge on taste and value. My wife and I spent five days in Astoria this past February. We ate at the Drina twice, I had a mixed plate appetizer of smoked sausage, dried beef, cheese, and smoked peppers. For the entree I had the spit roasted lamb both times. My wife had cabbage rolls one night and stuffed FILO pita the other. The portions were large, perfectly seasoned, and were accompanied by fresh fruit, salad, and vegetables. I absolutely love this place and will fly back from St. Louis next year just to eat there again.
(5)Damon G.
This place is a joke. We had dinner and it took over an hour and a half to make a small puff pastry filled with beef for two people. It was good, I will say that, but definitely not worth the wait. Upon inquiring if we could just get our dinner "to go" after an hour of waiting we got a rude reply about ordering an item that takes "a long time to prepare". I saw no such warning on the menu and there certainly was no verbal warning about the time required when I made the order. We looked around and noticed we weren't the only ones waiting. After we finally got our food the couple behind us got the same rude reply about ordering "special items that take time to prepare". They left soon after. With only a staff of two in a full restaurant I can only think the kitchen was ill-prepared to handle such a volume. I'm betting the only time the service is stellar is if you are the only one in there. Avoid this place if you're expecting prompt service or friendly service. Or if you have the whole night to kill, this is right up your alley...
(1)Giovanni R.
The Food is excellent , all farm fresh fruits, vegetables and local fresh meats. Old world craftmenship , delicious food. The owners are the nicest people you could ever meet. I had the lamb alomg with some Gompers Gin on the rocks the traditional way folks in the Balkans drink.
(5)Rachel K.
This is the place! Great food complimented by outstanding wine and beer of the region. If you miss this place you have missed out! From the excellent lamb plate to the best cabbage rolls you've ever had, I highly recommend this restaurant both for its authenticity and the heart-warming stewardship of its owners. Thank you!
(5)Val B.
We loved the hot food, warm interior, and sweet service! The food is excellent! I loved the goulash and hubby loved his lamb! Wish I could remember the precise names of the dishes we ordered!
(5)Smalls M.
Must try!! The best lamb I have ever had!! It is so juicy and flavorful. My boyfriend and I also loved the homemade bread and pepper sauce. The service is amazing, the owner are so nice. They just want to make their costumers feel welcomed and satisfied. I love this place!!! This was our first time here and we loved it. We will making a 4 hour trip just to eat here again.
(5)Pronitha S.
Loved the food! The lamb is SENSATIONAL! Cabbage wrapped rice and vegetables is a must try too. Great music and hospitality.
(5)T W V.
If there is better food in Astoria, I haven't found it yet. I rate the rotisseried lamb (evenings) to be perfect, the sarma (cabbage rolls, beef or vegetarian) magnificent, and the other items all more than just fine. I judge the presentation of the plate, with small green salad and fresh fruit dominating, to be refreshing. The appetizers of smoked meat, sausage, and pickled vegetables are all excellent. The foreign wines are interesting, the central European soft drink ("cockta," I think it's called) great with the meal. I try to go there as regularly as I can. The restaurant itself is clean, elegant. The cook is from Bosnia, and she knows her stuff. She's often very, very busy, but when she has a moment free she can be extremely generous and friendly. Her husband, chief waiter, is wry and funny and polite and a gentleman. Other comments to contrary among reviewers make no sense to me, so I'll say no more. If, like me, you are trying to cut carbs, the lamb and sarma meals are IDEAL for this. Just avoid the (delicious, alas) bread. Indeed, there are almost no places to eat for someone trying some variant of the primal/Atkin's diet. Drina Daisy is excellent for this. When I wish to take someone from the big city to impress them with good food, I take them here. The owners call the cuisine "Bosnian comfort food," but this is not meat-and-potato boring American food, not at all, nor is it heavy, pasta-based fare. The food strikes me as great tasting and good for you.
(5)Jenderon T.
So the wife and I were meandering through the town of Astoria, literally. We had decided to take a trip from Portland up here, at somewhat the last minute. A whirlwind tour of the Maritime Museum followed by a quick run up to the Astoria Tower where we freezed my nuts off as the rain started to come down then a rush down pass Flavel house on our way to the Goonies house. As the wife keenly commented, "we lived in Los Angeles where there's a famous movie spot everywhere and we didn't give a damn then but here we are standing in front of an obscure movie location in the rain and it's cold. WTF!" Hey, the sea lions sounded cool in the distance. But I digress. Using our trusty Yelp app on the phone, we first thought we go to this brew pub nearby but that looked pretty lame. There's not a lot of choices for dinner in Astoria and it didn't seem like there was much in the darkness across the Columbia in Washington so hey there's a Bosnian restaurant nearby. Really, Bosnian?! Okay I'm game. So after being seated, we ordered some Czech wine, one was a full-bodied red with a hint of spice while the other was a spicier lighter-bodied red. Our waiter who I think was the owner suggested the spicier wine as a counter point to the full-bodied mellow wine. It was a great combo indeed as he keenly noticed we would share our wines. We then decided to share an entree of lamb and a salad. The entree came with bread and we chose a roasted red-bell pepper puree spread to go with it. Everything was tasty but on hindsight somewhat unremarkable. It was certainly filling but the lamb wasn't particularly flavorful and it was a little tough. I like my lamb very tender and ready to fall off the bone. I guess I should've asked if Bosnian lamb is a bit more tough but I somehow convinced myself that it would exude a strong flavor from spices but not so much here. Tasty but not remarkably so. The bread was okay, different but again nothing to write home about. The puree went nicely with it but as the wife mentioned, we could've done the puree at home and probably better. The fruit was interestingly put together on the same platter. It wasn't too bad but certainly not organic farm fresh as it was already out of season for these fruits. Ah, but the grapes, were the highlight. There was four dark purple grapes that were as large as imported olives but very sweet and firm. After we polished what was exactly as advertised "comfort food" as it was definitely comforting on a cool rainy night, we ordered the homemade Baklava. That was a bit better than the entree. It was a tall piece, a bit too sweet for my taste, and a bit too dense for my taste but I have to say, overal, it still impressed me over the usual factory ordered kind at most places. But in the end, other than the Baklava and the four grapes, overal, it wasn't a remarkable meal of surprises or flavors. BUT they do advertise as "comfort food" and I think it succeeds in that respect although a bit pricey for comfort.
(3)Betty C.
I loved this place. To begin with, my dad is from Slovenia....and my whole life I grew up with foods cooked by my mom, who learned from dad's mom...plum dumplings, yummy meats....food loaded with FLAVOR. I have missed those. In lil' ol' Astoria....is a restaurant with not only the foods, but the wine of my home, the coffee of my home, the desserts of my home. The chef is AMAZING. The foods were amazing, and the appetizer plate was to die for. I would say more, but I'm salivating so much it is shorting out the keyboard. Go.... go....
(5)Samantha C.
Hi, I have eaten at this place on about six or seven occasions and have enjoyed a fairly reliable and consistent Bosnian flavor. The owner Fordinka came to recognize me and greeted me when ever I came in. Cool enough? Yeah, cool. Then (my update),,, Jeeeez! I went back and told the lady (the owner?) that it is so good to come in and see them again. Kinda cranky, she said, "I'm real busy, what do you want today?" I was the only one I could see in there. I said lunch. She said WELL? WHAT?! YIKES!! I said bye bye now. The food is probably still good if you can put up with a bitchy little old haybag from the old country. Stephanie's Cabin has good food good service, reasonable prices and they are open on a regular basis. //(~_~)\\ Me
(1)Deana C.
Great food. Unique. The coffee *Kafa* was excellent. The service is slow, so don't be in a hurry. Worth the wait.
(4)Michael V.
This place is a gem! It has real credible Central European food. The service is great and the quality of the ingredients is obvious. We had the lamb and the cabbage rolls. Absolutely sublime. And they have an awesome wine list. If you are looking for great food and service then go here and enjoy something different.
(5)Nadia P.
Dear Fordinka, You rock taste buds like Goran Bregović rocks the guitar -- and that's not the Slivovitz talking. Thank you.
(5)A.M. K.
My husband and I love to frequent Astoria about 3 times a year. Several failed attempts to eat at Drina Daisy due to their limited hours at times has become ongoing joke between us. I've been wanting to eat here for years. I thought that maybe all the hype I've built up in my own head might be difficult for Drina Daisy to live up to. Not the case at all. This is a superb restaurant. We were so pleased with our entire meal, our service, and the atmosphere. We tried the coffee, salad, smoked meats, beef cabbage roll, and the roasted lamb. All excellent. It's simple, understated, and the flavors are amazing. You can taste the passion this woman has for her food. We can not wait to eat at Drina Daisy again.
(5)Yuliya Z.
Amazing food, friendly staff, good value. The lamb is absolutely incredible, large portions
(5)Karen J.
Some local friends took us to dinner here. I was a little skeptical, not being much of an adventurer and not really enjoying "authentic" foods much. However, this was the best food I've eaten while eating out, hands down. The waiter knew our friends and was happy to see us all. We went during the week and had a wonderful time. Best.Food.Ever!
(5)Dawn D.
Been to Astoria many times and always wanted to try this place but timing never prevailed till this time and I have to say the reviews were spot on!!! This restaurant is awesome ! Started out with a bottle of fine Serbian wine ( which is a delightful difference to American wine) and a wonderful appetizer of smoked beef and smoked sausages with pickled stuffed peppers and cheese! Now moving on to the main course, the lamb was Devine (and being lamb fans, it was top notch) and the cabbage rolls were melt in your mouth!!! The sour cream and seasoned beef on top were uncharted grounds for my palate. !!! Wonderful meal !!! So glad we got to experience this restaurant for our 25th wedding anniversary !!! Highly recommend:)
(5)Jeanne J.
Every time I go to Astoria Oregon I make a point of eating at the Drina Daisy. The food is always fresh and delicious. I like the quaint setting, the husband wife team, and the relaxed dining pace. I've had the Goulash and Sarma, and Kava. The Baklava is just sumptuous. Every plate is artfully presented with the freshest fruits and vegetables. Do yourself a favor and try it. You'll be glad you did.
(5)Jason H.
I like trying new things especially on vacation. My wife sent me out for takeout from here. The food was amazing! And the only thing better than the food was the service. They were quick to ask about utensils, or if I wanted to try some lamb while I waited for my food. I will be returning to this place hopefully next time to eat there.
(5)Jay N.
An absolute gem we discovered on a road trip up the West Coast, stopping in picturesque, sleepy, friendly little Astoria, Oregon; Drina Daisy touts itself as 'old world comfort food' and as being a taste of Bosnia. I'm not sure what Bosnia tastes like but judging from the food and hospitality we received here, I'd say it must be delicious. The food doesn't appear to be any typical American's idea of what Bosnian food should be, but the true interpretation of the very Bosnian owner and chef. The manager was friendly, chatty (okay, REALLY chatty) and enjoyed giving us the history and idea behind his restaurant and how they pride themselves in this food. My partner had the stuffed cabbage. Beautiful, nothing spicy but filling, true belly warming, heart filling comfort food stuffed to bursting with meats and veggies, plated absolutely beautifully with a salad in a raised cup surrounded by a little sculpture garden of fresh fruit, meticulously cut and placed on the plate. The huge dollop of sour creme on top was a perfect touch and added to the meal. My dish was a puff pastry filled with meat and onions and I'm sorry I forget the name. Again, stuffed full. The olive oil used to cook it was definitely noticeable but nothing which bothered the food. Again, BEAUTIFULLY plated with fruit and salad, a lot of fruit and large helping of sour cream. Flaky pastry filled with meat and onions, fresh fruit, a wonderful lite summer salad! On a wonderful two-week trip from California to Washington State, this was a culinary highlight and one I had to share here. (please see the photos I've posted of the food). The atmosphere is charming, quiet and bright. The one drawback appears to be the uncertainty of business hours which I've seen others note. Even our hotel cautioned us to make sure it was open before visiting as they apparently are prone to closing early without much notice; that said, I recommend a call before visiting, but visiting you must. Old world Bosnia never tasted so good!
(4)Dyl D.
We travel to Astoria from Beaverton just to go to this amazing restaurant. When you visit Astoria, don't miss this place. Great service and unique, fantastic food made by real people. This is not a typical restaurant with random cooks in the back. The food is painstakingly prepared by the owner and her family. They care about the quality of every meal they make. It's not about the money for them. They do it for the love of food and the art of sharing their culture through food.
(5)Jerry B.
My wife and I selected this restaurant based on the reviews offered by others. It may have been an off night but we were not impressed. We were there at 7:00 PM and they were out of the main lamb entree. Appeared to be poor planning on the part of kitchen. We ordered a bottle of wine and it was "ok". The Waiter seemed somewhat overwhelmed. It should be said that the place was packed. Maybe they were not ready for a full house. I had beef wrapped in cabbage ( Pigs in a blanket is what mom called them). Again they were just "ok". The side salad was excellent. Probably will not go back .
(3)Jake A.
Overrated, overpriced, and disappointed. I don't know why this place got such great review. The lamb was $27. It was very bland and fatty. The decor was interesting but I was shocked to see so much flies or some kind insect flying all over the dinning room. All I can say eat at your risk. Needlessly I'm not returning. Once is more than enough.
(1)Rafael L.
I visited Astoria last weekend, and first time at this restaurant. I had a chance to try the Burek or Bosnian style pita, and this was probably one of the best dishes I've ever had! I will definitely come back here next time I visit. If you visit Astoria, GO HERE! food is awesome. In the past, I used to eat and have a beer at the great brewery in town, from now on, I will stop and eat here first, then go to the brewery afterwards.
(5)Avalon T.
If I lived in astoria I would eat here all the time. The food is so amazing that I swear I felt my taste buds dancing. Everything on the menu looks so tempting. :)
(5)Anita B.
My husband and I stopped here for dinner after walking out of a dark, dingy and foul smelling restaurant down the street. We are both passionate foodies, and we were pleasantly surprised by Drina Daisy. Don't come here if you need to be served quickly, but the wait wasn't terribly long. We both had the stuffed cabbage and it was awesome. Real home-style Eastern European food with generous portions. Served with super fresh salad and fruit. Some folks seem to be put off by the owner's reserve, but he is a very hard working guy, without a server on the night we were there. Highly recommend this place which exceeded our expectations.
(5)Brian L.
So good we went back the next day! The Kafa is a must, lamb amazing, and cabbage wrapped beef to die for. Fresh fruit with every entree, perfect. Will come back if I am ever in the area again.
(5)Skott S.
Great atmosphere! Fantastic food, and superb music. All these plus the owners passion for their culture made our dining experience amazing and soul enriching. Stop in and you will not be disappointed.
(5)Captain C. Branagain G.
Drina Daisy and your supporter "Ken B." -- Do you really think it wise to send me a private message via Yelp filled with a threat as well as vulgarities in Bosnian? Do you really think that I will not log your IP Address & MAC Address and trace it via legal channels to report you? Maybe you can rate how many stars our justice system merits in dealing with immature simpletons like yourself. All of this because I gave you a negative review for bad customer service and put a non-offensive phrase in Bosnian within it for levity? Sad, sad, little people. I bid you peace.
(1)Erin H.
Astoria? Twice in ONE WEEK? Time for some super Yelping opportunity! Apparently not. Arriving at 11:30 AM on a Friday and finding the place locked up tight, I was a bit peeved. The sign in the window said 'Open' and the opening time was listed as 11am. However, the place was dark dark dark!!! I checked my phone a half dozen times just to make sure it was really Friday at 11:30. How annoying. This was our Bosnian day! For shame. I was all hyped to try this gem. Maybe next time I can give them five stars....?
(1)Karli W.
Our dishes were excellent! Beer and wine pairings were spot on. It was such a relaxing meal. The atmosphere was almost like having a wonderful dinner at a friends home. We will be visiting again very soon.
(5)K B.
Must try for food (though you got to pray the old dude is in a good mood;)), save room for coffee !!! If you find yourself on this side of oregon coast, you should give this place a try. From outside the place doesn't look like much but as you enter you notice the front desk and dining hall simply yet tastefully decorated with artifacts and pictures from Bosnia. The dining hall feels very cozy as if you are in someone's home. The old gentleman and his son who run the place offer good service but I can understand that he can come off as obnoxious if he doesn't like something which I think is weird since they are in a service business. There was a problem with my order (miscommunication on both our parts...Strike 1), he didn't seem very happy about it but he gracefully offered to correct my order which I appreciated a lot since being a vegetarian I couldnt have done much with the beef entree I received. Me and my boyfriend tried the stuffed cabbage leaves (vegetarian option) and the beef stew. The food was absolutely delectable with a very aromatic blend of Mediterranean spices. Loved the vegetable medley which was perfectly cooked, just a little more tender than stir fry but not overcooked. They do claim to house a 3rd generation bosnian chef and I don't doubt it. After entrées, we decided to try the baklava and bosnian coffee. Their baklava has a super thick center and is drenched in lemony honey syrup - unexpected but very welcome adventure for your taste buds. If that doesn't give you a sugar high, nothing ever will. If you are a coffee enthusiast, you have to save some room for coffee towards the end. They serve turkish kahva in traditional copper colored ornate tableware. I ordered the other one on the menu which comes with a dollop of whipped cream. I would recommend trying it without the cream because the coffee is just absolutely heavenly. I had to try to get to the coffee under the mound of whipped cream which one wasn't very visually appealing and again I think the old guy wasn't very pleased about me destroying their creation (oops...Strike 2).By now he gave up on our table completely, but we did try to show our appreciation by leaving a handsome tip. But this was probably the second best coffee I have ever had other than the cuban, definitely a must try for food despite a little bit of elderly attitude (fingers crossed that I m not going to receive any threats..I have tried to be unbiased and honest !!!)
(4)Jon A.
A memorable meal. We had the roast lamb and stuffed cabbage, and both were exquisite. And the lamb came on a huge platter with several sorts of fresh fruit and salad. Everything was fresh and delicious, clearly a lot of care goes into the cooking here. Nice selection of Balkan wines. The couple who runs the place were really nice, too.
(5)Ben M.
Drina was a quaint little place and weeded served quickly and politely by a single gentlemen (owner?) all evening. The food was absolutely delicious and plentiful and the wine and beer from Croatia and Bosnia were equally pleasing. We had a wonderful evening.
(5)Wayne A.
All these four and five-star reviews are baffling. I recently went back to this place for a second time, having convinced myself that the first time around was disappointing only because I had ordered the wrong entree. Actually, it only got worse. Much worse. My girlfriend and I had waited all day for the sumptuous repast this place supposedly has to offer. When I'd been there previously I had caught a glimpse of a huge platter of steaming roast lamb that looked succulent and smelled heavenly. I could hardly wait to return for a taste of that carnivore's dream. The lone waiter is apparently the priprietor and husband of the cook, and he's a fussy, rather obnoxious piece of work. He greeted us perfunctorily and offered us our choice of two tables, both of which were tiny and in the middle of the room. We were the only ones in the place but I knew from previous experience that it would be futile to ask for a more comfortable table. Apparently they're always expecting huge parties of supplicants who never seem to arrive. We both ordered the lamb; the specialty of the house. The waiter looked at his watch and suggested we might want to order something else because there was none left over from lunch (we were surprised that they would even consider serving leftovers to the dinner crowd) and that the next serving wouldn't be ready for at least another 20 minutes or so. Starving though we were, we were more than happy to wait for the next batch of roast lamb fresh from the oven. So we enjoyed a couple of varieties of Bosnian beer, nibbled on the tiny bits of stale bread we had been served and waited expectantly. An hour later we were finally served. It was an odd presentation on a metal platter with unrecognizable lamb parts surrounded by scraps of veggies and fruit. After waiting patiently for the "good stuff" we found to our horror that everything, including the lamb that had presumably just come out of the cooker, was stone cold. The "meat" was appalling: nothing but bone and gristle with a few tiny shreds of meat attached, and a huge (3" diameter) glob of fat right in the middle of the mess. Had we not been weak with hunger and in such a state of shock at the sight of those hideous offerings we would given the proprietor a pungent critique and walked out. Instead, we slogged through that platter of unheated garbage, paid up and got the hell out of there. I wonder how on earth they stay in business. I'm hardly surprised by the posting from the guy who claimed the proprietor sent him a threatening email because of his negative review. There's something bizarre and twisted about that place and they don't deserve anyone's business.
(1)Eliza C.
So nice when you stop in to a dead place and you have to leave because the menu is beef-centric and lame (they have 3 veggie items, pretty much cheese with lettuce). I explained that I didn't see anything that for my veggie fancy (cuz I still like protein or eggplant or something) and I got a huge eye roll -- back atcha, buddy.
(1)Ann S.
The lighting is harsh, and they were out of cabbage rolls, but the food was absolutely delicious. We had the "deeply smoked" beef appetizer, and the beef stew for a main course. The food was perfectly seasoned and beautifully presented. I would go out of my way to eat here again!
(5)Skip C.
We stayed outside of Astoria and a friend of mine recommended this restaurant to us. We got into town at about 9:00 pm and it Drina was closed. The owner saw us through the window and noticed how disappointed we were and re-opened the restaurant for us. Good thing too because by the time that we left she had filled 4 more tables :). Our waiter was a bit off but he might have been right on in Bosnia so to me it added to the overall appeal. He had a certain charm about him. Our food took a little (just a tad) longer to come out so the owner presented us with a plate of pickled veggies and cured meats. To me this was the highlight, the whole plate was fantastic. I decided on ordering the cabbage stuffed beef with risotto and was not disappointed. The dish came with fresh fruit and veggies as well to round out a fine meal. My table mates had the lamb which of course I sunk my fork into as soon as it hit the table and instantly had food envy. I topped off my meal with the Brandy and the overall experience was fantastic. Will I go back? Yes for sure. The highlight was the smile on the Drina's face as we thanked her for such a delightful evening.
(4)Lana G.
Drina Daisy is a surprisingly large and apparently successful restaurant offering highly esoteric ethnic food -- Bosnian -- in a small city that does not seem to be filled with adventurous palates. We attribute its success to the extremely high quality of the food, which is not at all spicy but can be pungent with onions and garlic. Everything that other Yelpers have reported is true: the food is great, fresh, and well presented. Fruits and vegetables are obviously chosen with the utmost care. Considering the price, dinner here is a bargain. The service is friendly. However, the production is slooow. We dined late and nevertheless waited forty-five minutes for our meals when, to the best of our knowledge, ours were the only orders still in the kitchen. You can, of course, while away the time eating the heavy bread and drinking the mostly eastern European beers and wines. The obvious danger is that you will fill up on bread and beer long before your very substantial dinner arrives. Less obviously, the beers can knock you on your butt. We tried a couple of Belgian beers and found the Piraat acceptable but with a alcohol content appropriate to a wine, over ten percent. On the other hand, the first Belgian I tried, the Duchess du Bourgogne, turned out to be one of those irritating Belgian fruit beers. It tasted not at all like beer but like fermented berries, which is the kindest thing I can say about it. Next time, we'll order a wine, the Austrian Gruner Veltliner, a quiet little white that can be drunk as an apertif and should pair nicely with the food.
(4)Bobby M.
My wife and I were thoroughly impressed with this restaurant. The portion sizes were generous to say the least, the staff was extremely friendly and the prices were reasonable. I had the burak (beef pita) which is basically a crispy, pastry like outside stuffed with slow cooked beef, onions and vegetables under a spoonful of sour cream. What sets this place apart is the authenticity and attention to details. The food presentation was immaculate and the beer and wine selection is straight out of Eastern Europe. Overall a great destination.
(4)Betsy S.
This was pretty good for Astoria... My expectations have gotten lower and lower for this area the more I've eaten around town. This place has a few things going for it - Big hearty servings of interesting flavors at fairly reasonable prices. Lots of bread, large portions of fresh fruit, and free samples of an interesting soda-type beverage for the kids. Our server was very friendly and warm, but I've been here a couple times that they were supposed to be open and they weren't. I was told that when the ower doesn't feel like opening, she just doesn't. Well, you couldn't get away with that in Portland, but I guess in Astoria... My interaction with the owner was downright unpleasant. She's got no concept of customer service...
(3)Diem L.
First time I had Bosnian food and it was pretty good...Had the cucumber salad which was delish...Had to share it with the table as it was a pretty decent portion...I had the beef stew which was definitely succulent...Service was attentive and the restaurant is a nice lil mom & pop shop that I thoroughly enjoyed...Would definitely venture again....Take notice that they are closed on Monday & Tuesday...Definite fan...
(4)Tater H.
Delicious! Absolutely the best Bosnian Cuisine I have ever eaten! Thank you!
(4)Matthew N.
What an interesting place! We had a delicious meat platter, you should try for something different when in Astoria.
(4)T W V.
If there is better food in Astoria, I haven't found it yet. I rate the rotisseried lamb (evenings) to be perfect, the sarma (cabbage rolls, beef or vegetarian) magnificent, and the other items all more than just fine. I judge the presentation of the plate, with small green salad and fresh fruit dominating, to be refreshing. The appetizers of smoked meat, sausage, and pickled vegetables are all excellent. The foreign wines are interesting, the central European soft drink ("cockta," I think it's called) great with the meal. I try to go there as regularly as I can. The restaurant itself is clean, elegant. The cook is from Bosnia, and she knows her stuff. She's often very, very busy, but when she has a moment free she can be extremely generous and friendly. Her husband, chief waiter, is wry and funny and polite and a gentleman. Other comments to contrary among reviewers make no sense to me, so I'll say no more. If, like me, you are trying to cut carbs, the lamb and sarma meals are IDEAL for this. Just avoid the (delicious, alas) bread. Indeed, there are almost no places to eat for someone trying some variant of the primal/Atkin's diet. Drina Daisy is excellent for this. When I wish to take someone from the big city to impress them with good food, I take them here. The owners call the cuisine "Bosnian comfort food," but this is not meat-and-potato boring American food, not at all, nor is it heavy, pasta-based fare. The food strikes me as great tasting and good for you.
(5)Arleen C.
I was really excited to try Bosnian food because I've never had it before. I admit that the "spinach pita" made me think it'd be like a spanokopita so that was strangely exciting. The stuffed cabbage made me think it'd be like a Polish one so that excited me too. The entire idea of trying a new cuisine excited me, so we thought since we were driving through Astoria and didn't want fast food, we'd try something different. I wish we hadn't. If I could rewind back time, I'd undo this decision and voted for McDonald's, KFC, Subway, anything but this. The service was difficult to handle. There was one server for the entire restaurant. He was flustered because the place was packed. He was also quite huffy/irritable but trying to hold it together. We felt badly for him but his attitude was a turn off. The food was ridiculously salty. I thought I was in Scotland with the amount of salt we had in our food, but quickly remembered that there is no stuffed cabbage in Scotland. The food took FOREVER. I was really, really hungry and I thought maybe it was the hunger that made it feel like it was taking forever, but my partner told me it was taking as long as I thought. The stuffed cabbage was ridiculously salty. The pepsi and the water weren't enough to get the saltiness to tame down. The stuffed cabbage was also FROZEN so the centre was room temperature/luke warm at best. The spinach pita was more like a puff pastry filled with scrambled egg and the occasional piece of spinach - nothing spanokopita-like at all (sorry to Greece for the temporary confusion on my part). The portions were also ridiculously small. I was hungry but couldn't stomach more of the food here. Also, the thing that absolutely pissed me off is $2 for pepsi. They serve it in a small glass with ice...so you're paying $2 for less than half a can of pepsi. The menu looked expansive. I will DEFINITELY try Bosnian food again but just not here. I think the food sounds really exciting and different and I'd like to try it somewhere that could do it justice...which isn't here.
(1)Amy Y.
While in Astoria for the nearby Long Beach, WA International Kite Festival, we spent an afternoon poking around the shops in Astoria. We spied Drina Daisy while driving by, and marveled at it. We had a relative with us that never strays off the chain restaurant track, while my husband and I are always looking for a new, unique experience and taste. We talked her into it. The place is cute as a button, although right now it suffers from location. All around it is empty real estate either left fallow, or in the throes of remodeling. Hopefully around it will spring some worthy neighbors. The decor is demure and lovely, with stunning orchids all around. It's small and cozy, and we were waited on with relaxed, laid back service that wasn't rushed. I wouldn't say it was slow, it just wasn't rushed. What I didn't like, however, was our waiter's lack of interest in engaging. I like to ask questions and learn when I'm somewhere new: how to pronounce the dishes, how the restaurant came to be, what's the story... and this older blond haired gentleman was having nothing of it. He wasn't rude, he was just there to take our orders, fill our glasses, serve our food and see that we were satisfied. As there was only one other table in the place at the after-lunch hour of our arrival, that was a disappointment. We started with some ajvar, a roasted red pepper and eggplant spread for the bread, and it was so yummy we got an order to go so we could have it with cheese and crackers that night. For entrees we ordered Sarma (cabbage rolls), Burek (filo wrapped around beef, onions and seasoning stopped with sour cream... I call it the Bosnian Burrito), and Gulasch. All were rich and flavorful, well prepared and presented beautifully. The best part was that each entree came with a small salad of greens with cucumber, tomato wedge and artichoke heart. There was also a nice sizable selection of fresh fruits on each plate. It was a delicious combo from start to finish. The menu states these are all from the cook's family recipes, and I remarked, "If this is Bosnian comfort food, then I'm changing my nationality!" I could settle down with a plate of Burek frequently. The filo was so crisp on the outside, but moist enough on the inside that at times you almost had a hint of texture of cheese as the beef juices and spices soaked into the filo. The Gulasch was meat, red pepper and spices, little else. My dining partner wished for... something... to lighten it up. Some potato perhaps. We finished with a bit of baklava split three ways, just a tiny bite or two to top off the meal. It was good, but not great -- perhaps I'm spoiled by having eaten way too much baklava made from the basement of a church amidst a Greek community. But I was expecting MORE flakey layers and more rich gooeyness. But, it certainly was a pretty high low point, all in all! I'd certainly eat there again, and recommend it highly to others!
(4)Michael C.
Fantastic food and very nice owners. Came here twice during our trip. Would highly recommend to anyone. The lamb was delicious, as were the various Boreks and stuffed cabbage. Great selection of Eastern European wines and beers as well. Food just like your grandmother used to make; that is if your grandmother was a really nice Bosnian lady named Daisy.
(5)Matthew N.
What an interesting place! We had a delicious meat platter, you should try for something different when in Astoria.
(4)Amy Y.
While in Astoria for the nearby Long Beach, WA International Kite Festival, we spent an afternoon poking around the shops in Astoria. We spied Drina Daisy while driving by, and marveled at it. We had a relative with us that never strays off the chain restaurant track, while my husband and I are always looking for a new, unique experience and taste. We talked her into it. The place is cute as a button, although right now it suffers from location. All around it is empty real estate either left fallow, or in the throes of remodeling. Hopefully around it will spring some worthy neighbors. The decor is demure and lovely, with stunning orchids all around. It's small and cozy, and we were waited on with relaxed, laid back service that wasn't rushed. I wouldn't say it was slow, it just wasn't rushed. What I didn't like, however, was our waiter's lack of interest in engaging. I like to ask questions and learn when I'm somewhere new: how to pronounce the dishes, how the restaurant came to be, what's the story... and this older blond haired gentleman was having nothing of it. He wasn't rude, he was just there to take our orders, fill our glasses, serve our food and see that we were satisfied. As there was only one other table in the place at the after-lunch hour of our arrival, that was a disappointment. We started with some ajvar, a roasted red pepper and eggplant spread for the bread, and it was so yummy we got an order to go so we could have it with cheese and crackers that night. For entrees we ordered Sarma (cabbage rolls), Burek (filo wrapped around beef, onions and seasoning stopped with sour cream... I call it the Bosnian Burrito), and Gulasch. All were rich and flavorful, well prepared and presented beautifully. The best part was that each entree came with a small salad of greens with cucumber, tomato wedge and artichoke heart. There was also a nice sizable selection of fresh fruits on each plate. It was a delicious combo from start to finish. The menu states these are all from the cook's family recipes, and I remarked, "If this is Bosnian comfort food, then I'm changing my nationality!" I could settle down with a plate of Burek frequently. The filo was so crisp on the outside, but moist enough on the inside that at times you almost had a hint of texture of cheese as the beef juices and spices soaked into the filo. The Gulasch was meat, red pepper and spices, little else. My dining partner wished for... something... to lighten it up. Some potato perhaps. We finished with a bit of baklava split three ways, just a tiny bite or two to top off the meal. It was good, but not great -- perhaps I'm spoiled by having eaten way too much baklava made from the basement of a church amidst a Greek community. But I was expecting MORE flakey layers and more rich gooeyness. But, it certainly was a pretty high low point, all in all! I'd certainly eat there again, and recommend it highly to others!
(4)Michael C.
Fantastic food and very nice owners. Came here twice during our trip. Would highly recommend to anyone. The lamb was delicious, as were the various Boreks and stuffed cabbage. Great selection of Eastern European wines and beers as well. Food just like your grandmother used to make; that is if your grandmother was a really nice Bosnian lady named Daisy.
(5)Tater H.
Delicious! Absolutely the best Bosnian Cuisine I have ever eaten! Thank you!
(4)Linda H.
A delightful discovery! From the service to the food, Drina Daisy was a winner. The owners are careful about every detail and take pride in taking care of you. The waiter/manager is a delightful man, friendly and helpful. We (2 people) came in with a much larger group. He made sure to take our order first so we wouldn't have to wait for the large group. He helped with wine selection and offered to take back the wine if my husband didn't like it. I had the vegetarian stuffed cabbage and found it very tasty. The seasoning was perfect and everything was cooked to perfection. My husband had the beef goulash and also loved it. Dinners are served with complementary homemade bread with a yummy pepper spread or butter, a small perfect salad and generous helping of fruit. From the cucumbers to the canteloupe, every piece was selected to be ripe and perfect. The owner cooks and doesn't let anything substandard arrive at your table. It's a short menu (12 entrees) but had great choices for my husband (the committed carnivore) and me (the determined vegetarian). The one drawback was that dishes were a bit oilier than we preferred, though that may be a Bosnian style. Highly recommend!
(5)Lee B.
If you have never considered dinner here you are missing out on some fabulous food and drink. The food is made fresh when you order (so obviously it takes a little time), the bread is baked every morning, and the beer is imported from Eastern Europe. The atmosphere is a relaxed elegance if you wish or you can sit at the bar and chat it up with the owners like the locals do. All in all the Drina Daisy is not speedy but the food is superb, the prices borderline cheap, and the portions are huge. So do I recommend dinner here? Most definitely!
(5)Jer S.
Awesome! Have a question? Just ask the very friendly and knowledgable staff and they will help sort it out. Fantastic beer and wine selections pair with a varied menu to suit every taste and nutritional need. If you enjoy good food and a pleasant atmosphere give this one a try.
(5)Jenderon T.
So the wife and I were meandering through the town of Astoria, literally. We had decided to take a trip from Portland up here, at somewhat the last minute. A whirlwind tour of the Maritime Museum followed by a quick run up to the Astoria Tower where we freezed my nuts off as the rain started to come down then a rush down pass Flavel house on our way to the Goonies house. As the wife keenly commented, "we lived in Los Angeles where there's a famous movie spot everywhere and we didn't give a damn then but here we are standing in front of an obscure movie location in the rain and it's cold. WTF!" Hey, the sea lions sounded cool in the distance. But I digress. Using our trusty Yelp app on the phone, we first thought we go to this brew pub nearby but that looked pretty lame. There's not a lot of choices for dinner in Astoria and it didn't seem like there was much in the darkness across the Columbia in Washington so hey there's a Bosnian restaurant nearby. Really, Bosnian?! Okay I'm game. So after being seated, we ordered some Czech wine, one was a full-bodied red with a hint of spice while the other was a spicier lighter-bodied red. Our waiter who I think was the owner suggested the spicier wine as a counter point to the full-bodied mellow wine. It was a great combo indeed as he keenly noticed we would share our wines. We then decided to share an entree of lamb and a salad. The entree came with bread and we chose a roasted red-bell pepper puree spread to go with it. Everything was tasty but on hindsight somewhat unremarkable. It was certainly filling but the lamb wasn't particularly flavorful and it was a little tough. I like my lamb very tender and ready to fall off the bone. I guess I should've asked if Bosnian lamb is a bit more tough but I somehow convinced myself that it would exude a strong flavor from spices but not so much here. Tasty but not remarkably so. The bread was okay, different but again nothing to write home about. The puree went nicely with it but as the wife mentioned, we could've done the puree at home and probably better. The fruit was interestingly put together on the same platter. It wasn't too bad but certainly not organic farm fresh as it was already out of season for these fruits. Ah, but the grapes, were the highlight. There was four dark purple grapes that were as large as imported olives but very sweet and firm. After we polished what was exactly as advertised "comfort food" as it was definitely comforting on a cool rainy night, we ordered the homemade Baklava. That was a bit better than the entree. It was a tall piece, a bit too sweet for my taste, and a bit too dense for my taste but I have to say, overal, it still impressed me over the usual factory ordered kind at most places. But in the end, other than the Baklava and the four grapes, overal, it wasn't a remarkable meal of surprises or flavors. BUT they do advertise as "comfort food" and I think it succeeds in that respect although a bit pricey for comfort.
(3)Al M.
Yeah, it's pretty good! No, it's not orgasmic, which is what a lot of people who have reviewed it seem to think about this place. We got the lamb for 2 and oh, it was a gorgeous presentation, but it was rather bland. From my experience of the Mediterranean countries cuisines, they do tend to fall on the blander side for my taste, but this was a little too low for me. It really tasted pretty much like pure cooked lamb. I have nothing specifically bad to say about this place, but I won't be going back either. Thus, it is A-OK.
(3)Patrick S.
Drina Daisy is the first and only Bosnian cuisine restaurant I have ever been, ever. I've been a here a few times and I am a real fan of Eastern European cooking (See Grandma S's cooking) so I can say with some experience that their dishes are authentic and they are deliciously good. I have had a couple of anomalies with their food like the Gulash being over salted and the baby carrots. Oh the baby carrots, I would rather eat real babies than eat baby carrots. But they were such small imperfections that they were easily overlooked especially when the service at Drina Daisy has always been impeccable. I felt so comfortable and at easy with the decor, the lighting and the smooth service everything was a perfect compliment to the food itself. Beer you say? Oh Yes they have a stellar selection of some really deep European brews that look like they were smuggled right into Astoria on a cargo ship via the Russia Mob. I have never had to wait on a table here but I have heard that the Summer time crowds make for long waits but be patient it will all be worth it. Nazdravlje!
(5)Chani B.
This was one of the most enjoyable,delightful and pleasantly surprising meals Ive had in a long time. Its almost on par with Alan Wong,except I had no idea that Bosnian food was so yummy! Ok so like almost everyone who visits Astoria to see Mikey's house,we too were taken with Drina Daisy. My husband had the Sarma-Stuffed cabbage leaves with beef,I had the Burek-filo folded and baked around ground organic beef,with spices and garlic. Yummy yummy yummy I got love in my tummy! My friend had lamb and it was divine.I know b/c ate off her plate. ( note to self: I have to eat more lamb and not just for passover!) I also tried Duchesse de Bourgogne and will have to make a trip to Kress to pick some more up. We also tried their kafa and just the novelty of drinking it was fun,but I'm not a big coffee drinker( and yes I live in Seattle!) Still nice. Our waiter was attentive and really friendly. The restaurant had a family feel and made everyone feel welcomed. The kidlets tried some of the food,but mostly ate fruit;not to worry they did not starve! Our crew came for the lunch menu,but I wished we would have came for the dinner b/c that menu looked really yummy. We shall meet again Drina Daisy and you too Fratellis!
(5)Bobby D.
Astoria does have some good restaurants and this is one of them. The restaurant serves Bosnian food which seems like a mix of Greek and East European cuisines. Located on the commercial strip, there is some limited street parking. The service and waiter was good - my meal was out in less than 20 minutes. I ordered the Goulash which came with a small salad, fruit, and homemade bread. The goulash in this case is a sirloin cut of meat that is slow cooked until it melts in your mouth. It is cubed and has some very good spices added to it. The lunch was reasonably priced at around $10. Most of the entrees are 9 to $10. I also had the opportunity to try the stuffed cabbage which was also very good. They also offer Bosnian wine and have some unique brews. I should mention the place was very clean and well decorated. I do plan to go back sometime and try something else.
(4)Jo W.
Yums! The veggie cabbage roll was amazing, and the plum wine was fabulous! The owner/waiter was lovely and hilarious. Good times!
(4)Alena G.
I really don't understand these 4 and 5 star reviews. Perhaps we happened to be there on an off day, but we had a borderline horrible experience here. We waited a LONG time for the food, which wouldn't have been a big deal if the food we received was worth the wait. It was not. My husbands beef paprika was dry and quite literally 1/2 fat. It was extremely mild, only a hint of paprika taste. My spinach pie was bland, bland, bland. Really, you would have to work to create something so flavorless. The freshly baked bread was very good, as was the red pepper dipping sauce. My one star is for the bread. With all of these positive reviews it might be worth it to try Drina Daisy for yourself. As I said, perhaps we were there on an off day. However, our experience was so bad that I will not return. There are plenty of excellent restaurants in Astoria from which to choose.
(1)Linda H.
A delightful discovery! From the service to the food, Drina Daisy was a winner. The owners are careful about every detail and take pride in taking care of you. The waiter/manager is a delightful man, friendly and helpful. We (2 people) came in with a much larger group. He made sure to take our order first so we wouldn't have to wait for the large group. He helped with wine selection and offered to take back the wine if my husband didn't like it. I had the vegetarian stuffed cabbage and found it very tasty. The seasoning was perfect and everything was cooked to perfection. My husband had the beef goulash and also loved it. Dinners are served with complementary homemade bread with a yummy pepper spread or butter, a small perfect salad and generous helping of fruit. From the cucumbers to the canteloupe, every piece was selected to be ripe and perfect. The owner cooks and doesn't let anything substandard arrive at your table. It's a short menu (12 entrees) but had great choices for my husband (the committed carnivore) and me (the determined vegetarian). The one drawback was that dishes were a bit oilier than we preferred, though that may be a Bosnian style. Highly recommend!
(5)Lee B.
If you have never considered dinner here you are missing out on some fabulous food and drink. The food is made fresh when you order (so obviously it takes a little time), the bread is baked every morning, and the beer is imported from Eastern Europe. The atmosphere is a relaxed elegance if you wish or you can sit at the bar and chat it up with the owners like the locals do. All in all the Drina Daisy is not speedy but the food is superb, the prices borderline cheap, and the portions are huge. So do I recommend dinner here? Most definitely!
(5)Chani B.
This was one of the most enjoyable,delightful and pleasantly surprising meals Ive had in a long time. Its almost on par with Alan Wong,except I had no idea that Bosnian food was so yummy! Ok so like almost everyone who visits Astoria to see Mikey's house,we too were taken with Drina Daisy. My husband had the Sarma-Stuffed cabbage leaves with beef,I had the Burek-filo folded and baked around ground organic beef,with spices and garlic. Yummy yummy yummy I got love in my tummy! My friend had lamb and it was divine.I know b/c ate off her plate. ( note to self: I have to eat more lamb and not just for passover!) I also tried Duchesse de Bourgogne and will have to make a trip to Kress to pick some more up. We also tried their kafa and just the novelty of drinking it was fun,but I'm not a big coffee drinker( and yes I live in Seattle!) Still nice. Our waiter was attentive and really friendly. The restaurant had a family feel and made everyone feel welcomed. The kidlets tried some of the food,but mostly ate fruit;not to worry they did not starve! Our crew came for the lunch menu,but I wished we would have came for the dinner b/c that menu looked really yummy. We shall meet again Drina Daisy and you too Fratellis!
(5)Bobby D.
Astoria does have some good restaurants and this is one of them. The restaurant serves Bosnian food which seems like a mix of Greek and East European cuisines. Located on the commercial strip, there is some limited street parking. The service and waiter was good - my meal was out in less than 20 minutes. I ordered the Goulash which came with a small salad, fruit, and homemade bread. The goulash in this case is a sirloin cut of meat that is slow cooked until it melts in your mouth. It is cubed and has some very good spices added to it. The lunch was reasonably priced at around $10. Most of the entrees are 9 to $10. I also had the opportunity to try the stuffed cabbage which was also very good. They also offer Bosnian wine and have some unique brews. I should mention the place was very clean and well decorated. I do plan to go back sometime and try something else.
(4)Jo W.
Yums! The veggie cabbage roll was amazing, and the plum wine was fabulous! The owner/waiter was lovely and hilarious. Good times!
(4)Alena G.
I really don't understand these 4 and 5 star reviews. Perhaps we happened to be there on an off day, but we had a borderline horrible experience here. We waited a LONG time for the food, which wouldn't have been a big deal if the food we received was worth the wait. It was not. My husbands beef paprika was dry and quite literally 1/2 fat. It was extremely mild, only a hint of paprika taste. My spinach pie was bland, bland, bland. Really, you would have to work to create something so flavorless. The freshly baked bread was very good, as was the red pepper dipping sauce. My one star is for the bread. With all of these positive reviews it might be worth it to try Drina Daisy for yourself. As I said, perhaps we were there on an off day. However, our experience was so bad that I will not return. There are plenty of excellent restaurants in Astoria from which to choose.
(1)Al M.
Yeah, it's pretty good! No, it's not orgasmic, which is what a lot of people who have reviewed it seem to think about this place. We got the lamb for 2 and oh, it was a gorgeous presentation, but it was rather bland. From my experience of the Mediterranean countries cuisines, they do tend to fall on the blander side for my taste, but this was a little too low for me. It really tasted pretty much like pure cooked lamb. I have nothing specifically bad to say about this place, but I won't be going back either. Thus, it is A-OK.
(3)Patrick S.
Drina Daisy is the first and only Bosnian cuisine restaurant I have ever been, ever. I've been a here a few times and I am a real fan of Eastern European cooking (See Grandma S's cooking) so I can say with some experience that their dishes are authentic and they are deliciously good. I have had a couple of anomalies with their food like the Gulash being over salted and the baby carrots. Oh the baby carrots, I would rather eat real babies than eat baby carrots. But they were such small imperfections that they were easily overlooked especially when the service at Drina Daisy has always been impeccable. I felt so comfortable and at easy with the decor, the lighting and the smooth service everything was a perfect compliment to the food itself. Beer you say? Oh Yes they have a stellar selection of some really deep European brews that look like they were smuggled right into Astoria on a cargo ship via the Russia Mob. I have never had to wait on a table here but I have heard that the Summer time crowds make for long waits but be patient it will all be worth it. Nazdravlje!
(5)Damon G.
This place is a joke. We had dinner and it took over an hour and a half to make a small puff pastry filled with beef for two people. It was good, I will say that, but definitely not worth the wait. Upon inquiring if we could just get our dinner "to go" after an hour of waiting we got a rude reply about ordering an item that takes "a long time to prepare". I saw no such warning on the menu and there certainly was no verbal warning about the time required when I made the order. We looked around and noticed we weren't the only ones waiting. After we finally got our food the couple behind us got the same rude reply about ordering "special items that take time to prepare". They left soon after. With only a staff of two in a full restaurant I can only think the kitchen was ill-prepared to handle such a volume. I'm betting the only time the service is stellar is if you are the only one in there. Avoid this place if you're expecting prompt service or friendly service. Or if you have the whole night to kill, this is right up your alley...
(1)Summer R.
Like every other reviewer on this page, we randomly stumbled upon this restaurant on a quest to see Goonie town. Being Polish, I was absolutely shocked to see an Eastern European restaurant in redneck Astoria, and I made my fiance stop. My fiance is Arabic, and I'm Polish. So when we say that Fardinka's food was better than our mother's, that means A LOT. We were completely enchanted with the atmosphere (the place was remodeled recently after a fire) and decided to join the owners at their tiny coffee bar after we ate dinner. The chef was so sweet and amazing that she came out and gave us extra dessert, extra food to take home and a candy bar from Bosnia. In fact, the food was so amazing that we fired our caterer for our wedding and are hiring Drina Daisy instead. I don't know what such a good chef is doing in Astoria, of all places, but you are really missing out if you don't stop here on a trip to the coast.
(5)Mark R.
Possibly the finest meal I have been served stateside. Not just Balkan food, I mean meal period. I have traveled widely across Serbia and Croatia and I can state quite plainly that the meal served in little Astoria OR is better than anything I've encountered over there. Yet another one of these amazing little ethnic gems that only the luckiest of travel stumbles upon. And the fellow who wanted his meal served quickly is clearly an idiot. Food this amazing needs time to be prepared, but also savored. Best done with a mezze of bread, smoked meats and ajvar and a naturally a slivo. Their beer selection was otherworldly as well, featuring brews I had never seen served anywhere else. You Astorians are very lucky indeed!
(5)Elizabeth M.
The atmosphere is awesome, even when it's quiet and you're the only one in there, you feel welcome and right at home. Dress up a little, or don't, you are not out of place in the white-tablecloth and napkined seating with all of the amenities. The food is excellent, service is friendly if not almost family-like, polite and professional but warm. Try it, and do not be afraid to be adventurous. This is comfort food and a palate vacation. Astoria is EXACTLY the kind of "redneck" town to find something like Drina Daisy, a gateway to the world, beware of stereotyping, we're more cosmopolitan than you fear.
(5)Lori S.
My mother told me of this little place in Astoria. I don't venture into Astoria much because...well there is usually nothing there. This is not so when it comes to this place. The place is Bosnian and is very traditional in its service of food. Its not fast. Its served at a pace that is traditional to European dining. This is a family owned place. A husband and wife team who sometimes gets help from a stray cousin or nephew. The husband does the waiting . He is friendly and very helpful with the menu. My last visit was more than two hours of pure bliss. It was a Wednesday and a foreign cruise ship had docked close by. It was just packed in there with many people from all over Europe. Despite the huge demand those customers had, the husband and wife made sure that we had appetizers to eat and plenty of drinks while we waited. He apologized multiple time which I felt was totally unneeded. I never expect fine dining menu to be fast in any way and to have him rush many drinks and meats to me was better than I could imagine. The customers from the ship were very very demanding of his time and energy and did not seem to notice others had entered into the restaurant. Please all I implore you to stop by when you have a few hours and slowly enjoy all this little gem has to offer.
(5)Don P.
This was a great, unexpected find in Astoria. Excellent service and food.
(5)A J.
Very nice white tablecloth atmosphere at pretty reasonable prices. The fresh fruit presented with the meal was great. The hosts were very pleasant. The main courses were very traditional fare but nothing to write home about. Very acceptable meal but I guess I reserve 4 stars for stuff I think is pretty great, not just very good for the town it is in.
(3)Geraldine D.
I dragged my fiance to Astoria for one reason, and one reason only: we had to do the truffle shuffle outside The Goonies house. Fortunately, our last trip gave us both a reason to return, after we stumbled upon Drina Daisy. Because after driving around town photographing yourself in front of Mikey's dad's museum and the jail where the Fratellis made their big escape, you get a little hungry. And the only way to truly satisfy Chunk-sized hunger is with a huge platter of roasted lamb, meat stuffed cabbage leaves, and a huge bottle of wine. The decor isn't great, and the place looks a little worse for wear. Hell, all of Astoria needs a little love in that respect. But if you go, you will eat to heart's content while the owner tells you stories of Bosnia and you think about how funny it is to be in a nowhere town in Oregon, having a wonderful time, all thanks to The Goonies.
(5)Ted P.
I never knew that I really liked Bosnian food! We randomly stumbled upon Drina Daisy as we drove into town and it was a great detour. I had the gulys which was flavorful and heavy on the meat -- when the menu said "meat with a few vegetables", they weren't kidding! My wife had the stuffed cabbage which was probably the finest example of the dish that I've ever seen. The big win? The bread. Served steaming hot, it was great for sopping up every last drop of our meal.
(4)Philip W.
Well, I've never seen The Goonies - Mikey? Truffle Shuffle? - but cruising through Astoria en route from Eureka to Coupeville last year we marked Drina Daisy as a place to try, and a couple of weeks ago we got the chance. What a find! Who would have thought that this rainy former logging town at the mouth of the Columbia River, populated largely by Norwegians and Finns, would have a Bosnian restaurant run by an authentic Bosnian chef who had run a restaurant back in the Old Country? The interior is comfortable and cozy with lovely orchids scattered around, and the waiter (who I believe is the owner and/or the husband of the chef) was friendly and very helpful in helping us select our dishes. The cuisine was similar to Hungarian with more of a lamb focus (they roast a whole lamb almost every day). We had an appetizer of slices beef sausage and strips of smoked beef, served with ajvar (a delicious condiment made of mild red peppers and eggplant, we always have a jar in the fridge), cheese, and fresh and pickled vegetables. As an entree I had the gulys - similar to Hungarian gulyas/goulash, a stew of tender beef in a gravy flavored with paprika, but with a lot of thyme also, served with mixed vegetables and fruit. Extremely rich and flavorful, the thyme adding an unusual herby note to a dish which is often merely spicy. Sara had slices roasted lamb, similar to high-quality Turkish doner kebapi, perfectly cooked and served with more ajvar, veg and fruit. Drina Daisy has an impressive list of beers and wines from the Balkans and Eastern and Central Europe: I had a bottle of Niksicko Pils, and excellent, subtly-flavored pilsener from Montenegro, and Sara had a glass of Hungarian Kadarka, a rich red varietal wine which is a major component of the famous Bull's Blood. We finished off with Turkish coffee, served in miniature cezves for us to pour ourselves, and a tasty, nutty baklava. And all this, appetizer, entrees, drinks, coffee, and dessert for two, came to only $56, a very moderate price for a meal this good. We'll definitely be back!
(5)Kristoph B.
COME ENJOY THIS AMAZING PLACE!!! I can't wait to come back. Great food Great Wine. Great Service. fun and inviting, relaxing. took the edge off just right. Once upon a holiday from Washington to Oregon; a friend of mine was struggling for Jack in the Box cause he "just wanted to eat" we had been "just eating" for like a day on holiday and that was enough. i was determined to find us something. that's was the beginning of my Yelpy life. ha ha. Reading the reviews of restaurants in our local vicinity whilst stay at Seaside. I was absolutely intrigued by the things people were saying about this place. Thus my mission to convince my party, Hey let's get some Bosnian food? WT-F's everywhere, but they were willing. except the Jack in the Box guy. Tugging and pulling i got him closer and closer. Everyone else was excited probably due a little to my enthusiasm. Even on our way to the restaurant i saw a (i presume) couple. Sparking conversation as the social bug i am. I asked what they were up to, they were on vacation and wanted a bite to eat and heard about Drina Daisy and wanted to try something new. I used there glow to manipulate my friends a little more into going. Finally we arrived inside. Talking to a local that was enjoying his meal at a bar style of the restaurant, he spoke very highly of Drina Daisy and every item on the menu. I am not joking. Very pumped our server greets us and took us to our table. In a beautifully decorated room with lovely tables and accessories. Upon gazing at the menu we were blown away by the prices of everything. Beautiful delicious food with fresh fruit on every plate i saw. i even saw the couple from the street two tables away, as they were leaving i asked how there meal was cause we were happily on appetizers. The thrill of what was to come in our meals rushed me. After getting my yummy food, i devoured every last bite. Great assortment of wine that was very nicely explained to me being a wine fan. desert was the 3rd best baklava I've ever had. yum yum. Upon leaving all of my friends were freakishly satisfied and overjoyed at our decision. I hope you make the same choice and go enjoy this amazing place.
(5)Les B.
For such a small, three person, operation the Drina Daisy is huge on taste and value. My wife and I spent five days in Astoria this past February. We ate at the Drina twice, I had a mixed plate appetizer of smoked sausage, dried beef, cheese, and smoked peppers. For the entree I had the spit roasted lamb both times. My wife had cabbage rolls one night and stuffed FILO pita the other. The portions were large, perfectly seasoned, and were accompanied by fresh fruit, salad, and vegetables. I absolutely love this place and will fly back from St. Louis next year just to eat there again.
(5)Kady B.
A caterer friend had been raving about Drina Daisy for years, so I was excited to finally get a chance to try it during a recent visit to Astoria. I still haven't really tried the food--other than the bread and a couple glasses of wine--but I'm no longer excited to try it. This was the ONLY time in my life that I've ever walked out of a restaurant after ordering. We waited for an hour and 20 minutes for our dinners. The restaurant was about two-thirds full on a Saturday night--not completely packed. We ordered one dish that the menu warned took longer to prepare (but had we known it would take more than 80 minutes(!), we would have chosen something else). I can only assume that the kitchen staff was as inefficient as the waiter, who avoided eye contact with other diners unless he was serving them. An apology and a time estimate. An offer to provide a salad on the house. An offer or more bread. Anything like that would have kept us there. HORRIBLE SERVICE! Not even the best meal in the world is worth that wait when you're hungry. And to top it off, when we decided to leave, my boyfriend couldn't get anyone's attention to break a fifty-dollar bill so he had to go to a bar down the street to get change.
(1)Jesse s.
Get the cockta!
(5)Summer R.
Like every other reviewer on this page, we randomly stumbled upon this restaurant on a quest to see Goonie town. Being Polish, I was absolutely shocked to see an Eastern European restaurant in redneck Astoria, and I made my fiance stop. My fiance is Arabic, and I'm Polish. So when we say that Fardinka's food was better than our mother's, that means A LOT. We were completely enchanted with the atmosphere (the place was remodeled recently after a fire) and decided to join the owners at their tiny coffee bar after we ate dinner. The chef was so sweet and amazing that she came out and gave us extra dessert, extra food to take home and a candy bar from Bosnia. In fact, the food was so amazing that we fired our caterer for our wedding and are hiring Drina Daisy instead. I don't know what such a good chef is doing in Astoria, of all places, but you are really missing out if you don't stop here on a trip to the coast.
(5)Mark R.
Possibly the finest meal I have been served stateside. Not just Balkan food, I mean meal period. I have traveled widely across Serbia and Croatia and I can state quite plainly that the meal served in little Astoria OR is better than anything I've encountered over there. Yet another one of these amazing little ethnic gems that only the luckiest of travel stumbles upon. And the fellow who wanted his meal served quickly is clearly an idiot. Food this amazing needs time to be prepared, but also savored. Best done with a mezze of bread, smoked meats and ajvar and a naturally a slivo. Their beer selection was otherworldly as well, featuring brews I had never seen served anywhere else. You Astorians are very lucky indeed!
(5)Elizabeth M.
The atmosphere is awesome, even when it's quiet and you're the only one in there, you feel welcome and right at home. Dress up a little, or don't, you are not out of place in the white-tablecloth and napkined seating with all of the amenities. The food is excellent, service is friendly if not almost family-like, polite and professional but warm. Try it, and do not be afraid to be adventurous. This is comfort food and a palate vacation. Astoria is EXACTLY the kind of "redneck" town to find something like Drina Daisy, a gateway to the world, beware of stereotyping, we're more cosmopolitan than you fear.
(5)Lori S.
My mother told me of this little place in Astoria. I don't venture into Astoria much because...well there is usually nothing there. This is not so when it comes to this place. The place is Bosnian and is very traditional in its service of food. Its not fast. Its served at a pace that is traditional to European dining. This is a family owned place. A husband and wife team who sometimes gets help from a stray cousin or nephew. The husband does the waiting . He is friendly and very helpful with the menu. My last visit was more than two hours of pure bliss. It was a Wednesday and a foreign cruise ship had docked close by. It was just packed in there with many people from all over Europe. Despite the huge demand those customers had, the husband and wife made sure that we had appetizers to eat and plenty of drinks while we waited. He apologized multiple time which I felt was totally unneeded. I never expect fine dining menu to be fast in any way and to have him rush many drinks and meats to me was better than I could imagine. The customers from the ship were very very demanding of his time and energy and did not seem to notice others had entered into the restaurant. Please all I implore you to stop by when you have a few hours and slowly enjoy all this little gem has to offer.
(5)Don P.
This was a great, unexpected find in Astoria. Excellent service and food.
(5)A J.
Very nice white tablecloth atmosphere at pretty reasonable prices. The fresh fruit presented with the meal was great. The hosts were very pleasant. The main courses were very traditional fare but nothing to write home about. Very acceptable meal but I guess I reserve 4 stars for stuff I think is pretty great, not just very good for the town it is in.
(3)