Get a taste of Serbian hospitality

Members of Saint Basil of Ostrog Church welcome the public into their home to enjoy a two-day taste of Serbian food, music and culture."We want to be good neighbors and show you Serbian hospitality," said church trustee Lou Milicich.The Mettawa church will hold its third annual Taste of Serbia from noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday.The church is at 27450 N. Bradley Road, Mettawa. Admission and parking are free.The focus of the festival is the food, Milicich said. Serbian food, he said, is a cross between Mediterranean and central European cuisine."The northern parts of Serbia have a central European feel," he said. "The farther south you go, we get more exotic and Mediterranean."A new food attraction this year is the barbecue and grill tent featuring barbecue lamb and pork and Serbian sausage, shish-kabobs and burgers.Grandma's kitchen will feature a stuffed cabbage dinner and chicken dinner, both Serbian style.Visit the bakery to try a variety of sweet treats including the Serb crepes, doughnuts, strudels filled with cheese or apple and custard-filled pastries.Prices range from $2 to $3 for desserts. Milicich said the most expensive item is the Hungry Serb for $12, a meal filled with grilled meats."This is for the Atkins diet eater," Milicich said.Visitors also can enjoy constant entertainment through the two days. Among the entertainers will be accordion player Ljubisa Pavkovic and a northern Serbia strings group Tamburica, which Milicich compares to an American bluegrass and Celtic sound.The festival also includes a tour of Serbia. Milicich said the tour, which will begin at 3 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. will include meeting the church's dance troupe as well as their priest, Fr. Deacon Vladimir Vranic.The tour also will include a sampling of Serbian food in the kitchen and a chance to browse the church bookstore, which features Orthodox icons, CDs, books, souvenirs and arts and crafts.