Poland Info
Joined: 20 Apr 2007
Posts: 23
Home Country: poland
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 Posted: Wed May 23, 2007 9:15 am Post subject: FOOD & DINING IN POLAND / POLAND DINING GUIDE |
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FOOD & DINING IN POLAND
GENERAL
Poland has a distinctive cuisine, with typical ingredients being dill, marjoram, caraway seeds, wild mushrooms and sour cream, which is frequently added to soups, sauces and braised meats. Polish meals start with przekaski (starters). Soups play an important part at mealtimes and are usually rich and very thick, and are often served in cups with small hot pasties stuffed with meat or cabbage. Poland is also a good country for fish (ryba). Pastries (ciastka) are also very good. Table service is the norm in restaurants. Western drinks, such as whisky, gin or brandy, can be obtained in most bars but are expensive. Wine is available but, again, is imported and expensive. The best bottled beer is zywiec, a fairly strong lager-type beer. Bars have table and/or counter service. Coffee shops are very popular in Poland and are the favourite places for social meetings from early morning to late at night. They do not close during the day and have the same function as do pubs in the United Kingdom. Alcoholic drinks are available throughout the day.
Warsaw has a very dynamic and fast-paced restaurant scene. New places seem to open weekly and the choice is considerable. Some of its restaurants have become well known abroad as well.
However, there was a time when a typical Warsaw waiter would tell you that none of the items on the menu were actually available! Another option was a Socialist-era "milk bar" where you were served cafeteria-style, sharing your table with a stranger. Fortunately, those days are long gone. Warsaw now boasts restaurants that make it into European top ten lists - and competition is fierce.
Everything from Chinese to Mexican, Italian to vegetarian is on offer. There are a lot of deluxe establishments, fast food places on almost every corner, as well as street stalls offering hot dogs, Vietnamese noodles and falafel.
Those seeking chic and trendy eateries will find that these are a Warsaw specialty. Restaurants are the place to be seen. One of Warsaw's specialities is its Italian restaurants. The presence of a large Italian business community means that quality and standards are high. Some of the best Italian cuisine in the region is cooked up here.
Whatever you're looking for, Warsaw probably has it. And if it's not there this week, it may well be there next! It's worth keeping your ear to the ground as new places are opening up all the time. Do make a reservation, as many places are almost always packed out.
National specialties
• Bigos (sauerkraut, fresh cabbage, onions and any variety of leftover meat).
• Carp served in sweet-and-sour jellied sauce.
• Poached pike with horseradish in cream.
• Salted and rolled herring fillets with pickles and onions.
• Kulebiak (a large mushroom and cabbage pasty).
• Kabanos (long, thick sausages).
• Mysliwska (sausage made from pork and game).
• Barszcz (beetroot soup, excellent with sour cream).
• Zrazy zawijane (mushroom-stuffed beefsteak rolls in sour cream).
• Kasza (buckwheat).
National drink
• Vodka (wódka, in many various flavours).
Tipping: 10 to 15 per cent is customary in restaurants and cafes. Tipping in self-service restaurants is not expected.
PLACES TO DINE IN WARSAW
Balgera
ul. Sandomierska 13 (entrance from ul. Rejtana 14),
Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 849-5674
Website: www.balgera.pl
Belvedere
ul. Agrykola 1,
Lazienki Park,
Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 841-2250
Fax: +48 22 841-7135
Email: restauracja@belvedere.com.pl
Website: www.belvedere.com.pl
Chianti
ul. Foksal 17,
Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 828-0222
Email: chianti@siesta.com.pl
Website: www.kregliccy.pl
Delicja Polska
ul. Koszykowa 54,
Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 630-8850
Website: www.delicjapolska.pl
Grand Kredens
al. Jerozolimskie 111,
Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 629-8008
Website: www.kredens.com.pl
La Boheme
pl. Teatralny 1,
Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 692-0681
Fax: +48 22 692-0684
Email: restauracja.laboheme@laboheme.com.pl
Website: www.laboheme.com.pl
Restaurant 99
al. Jana Pawła II 23,
Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 620-1999
Fax: +48 22 620-1998
Email: nn@restaurant99.com
Website: www.restaurant99.com
Tandoor Palace
ul. Marszałkowska 21/25,
Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 825-2375
Website: www.tandoor.com.pl
The Cinnamon
pl. Piłsudskiego 1,
Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 323-7600
Website: www.thecinnamon.pl
Venezia
ul. Marszałkowska 10/16,
Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 621-6973
Fax: +48 22 629-5012
Email: venezia@venezia.com.pl
Website: www.venezia.com.pl |
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