Expatriates Forums in Romania

NIGHTLIFE IN ROMANIA / ROMANIA NIGHTLIFE GUIDE

Romania Info — Tue May 29, 2007 3:32 am

Author: Romania Info

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 3:32 am

NIGHTLIFE IN ROMANIA

GENERAL

Bucharest has a growing number of discos and nightclubs with entertainment and live dancing. Restaurants at most major hotels double as nightclubs and there are also several Parisian-style cafes. The growing foreign population in the capital has resulted in an increase of Western-style bars. And with 16 casinos at last count, Bucharest offers plenty of opportunity for those who want to try their hand at gambling. Opera is performed at the Romanian Opera House and the Romanian Athenaeum has two symphony orchestras. Folk entertainment is performed at the Rapsodia Romana Artistic Ensemble Hall and there are a number of theatres.

For information on bars, clubs, and all kinds of events in Bucharest, grab a copy of the free, weekly, English-language Sapte Seare in Bucharesti; it's available in most hotels, airline offices, and Western-style bars and restaurants. Generally, performance tickets can be purchased directly at the venue's ticket office or from your hotel, with a slight commission added. It's normally easy to get tickets without a reservation.

PLACES TO UNWIND IN BUCHAREST

Amsterdam
Str. Covaci 6,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 313-7580
Fax: +40 21 313-7581
Email: info@amsterdam.ro
Website: www.amsterdam.ro

Club A
Str. Blănari 14,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 313-5592
Fax: +40 21 315-4786
Email: office@cluba.ro
Website: www.cluba.ro

Dreamer's
Str. Theodor Burada 2,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 72 311-2200
Website: www.dreamers.ro

Dubliner
B-dul N. Titulescu 18,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 222-9473
Website: www.irishpubs.ro

Green Hours 22 Club Jazz Café
Calea Victoriei 120,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 314-5751/ 72 358-0838
Fax: +40 21 211-9592
Email: greenhours@yahoo.com
Website: www.green-hours.ro

Kristal Glam Club
Str. J. S. Bach 2,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 231-2136/ 72 279-5184
Website: www.clubkristal.ro

Lucky 13
Str. Selari 9-11 (Curtea Sticlarilor),
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 314-4066
Email: rezervari@lucky13.ro
Website: www.lucky13.ro

Myth 1476
Str. Soarelui 4-6,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 315-2344/ 72 146-1178
Email: myth1476@yahoo.com

Offside Pub
Str. Gabroveni 14,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 312-2916
Email: office@offsidepub.ro
Website: www.offsidepub.ro

The Office
Str. Tache Ionescu 2,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 211-6748/ 74 511-0064
Email: contact@theoffice.ro
Website: www.theoffice.ro

FOOD & DINING IN ROMANIA / ROMANIA DINING GUIDE

Romania Info — Tue May 29, 2007 3:06 am

Author: Romania Info

Posted: Tue May 29, 2007 3:06 am

FOOD & DINING IN ROMANIA

GENERAL

The Romanians excel in full-bodied soups, some of the best being cream of mushroom, chicken, beef, vegetable and bean soup. Sour cream or eggs are also added to soups. Breakfasts almost always include eggs, either soft-boiled, hard-boiled, fried or scrambled. Omelettes, filled with either cheese, ham or mushrooms, are also frequently served. Vegetarians may have difficulties, as most local specialties are meat-based. Although there are inexpensive self-service snack bars, table service is the norm.

Bucharest is in the throes of a restaurant renaissance that has given rise to a host of delightfully decorated establishments offering enjoyable, inexpensive fare. You'll find food kiosks, cafés, grills, fast-food chains, and restaurants sprinkled throughout the city. French, German, Italian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, and Asian restaurants are thriving.

To avoid being overcharged, ask for prices before you eat. Street vendors sell fragrant offerings like covrigi (giant pretzels) and roasted chestnuts.

National specialties

• Soups: Ciorba de perisoare (soup with meatballs), ciorba tãrãneascã (vegetable soup with meat and rice balls served with sour cream), giblet soup and a variety of fish soups.

• Moldavian parjoale (flat meat patties, highly spiced and served with garnishes).

• Mamaliga (a staple of mashed cornmeal).

• Nisetru la gratar (grilled Black Sea sturgeon).

• Pasca (a sweet cheesecake).

National drinks

• Tuicã (plum brandy) and Tuicã de Bihor (strong brandy, generally known as palinca).

• Wines: Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay from the Murfatlar vineyards. Grasa and Feteasa from Moldavia’s Cotnari vineyards.

• Sparkling wines.

• Glühwein (mulled wine).

There are no licensing hours, but the legal age for drinking in a bar is 18.

Tipping: A five to 10 per cent service tip is customary in restaurants.

PLACES TO DINE IN BUCHAREST

Amsterdam
Str. Covaci 6,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 313-7580/ 1
Fax: +40 21 313-7580
Email: info@amsterdam.ro
Website: www.amsterdam.ro

Angel's
Str. Paris 52,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 231-9044/ 72 326-4357
Fax: +40 21 231-9045
Website: www.angels.com.ro

Bistro Arles
Str. Carol Davila 60,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 410-4920
Fax: +40 21 410-4920
Email: arles@bistroarles.ro
Website: www.bistroarles.ro

Caffe & Latte Wine Bar
B-dul Schitu Magureanu 35,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 314-3800/ 74 433-3100
Fax: +40 21 314-3870
Email: office@caffelatte.ro
Website: www.caffelatte.ro

Don Luigi
Str. Toamnei 85,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 210-1556/ 72 332-2172
Email: contact@donluigi.ro
Website: www.donluigi.ro

La Bastille
Str. Căderea Bastiliei 72B,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 310-7359/ 72 239-9172/ 78 849-2605
Fax: +40 21 310-7360
Email: reserve@labastille.ro
Website: www.labastille.ro

Locanta Jaristea
Str. George Georgescu 50-52,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 335-3338/ 72 196-1936
Email: stabiliment@jaristea.ro
Website: www.jaristea.ro

Rossetya
Str. Dimitrie Bolintineanu 9,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 805-9199/ 74 822-0220
Email: rossetya@gmail.com
Website: www.rossetya.ro

Thai Moods
Str. Petre Creţu 63,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 224-6851/ 72 317-4039
Email: info@thaimoods.ro
Website: www.thaimoods.ro

The Harbour
P-ta Amzei 10-22,
Bucharest
Tel: +40 21 319-7257/ 72 438-8686
Email: office@harbour.ro
Website: www.harbour.ro

SHOPPING IN ROMANIA / ROMANIA SHOPPING GUIDE

Romania Info — Mon May 28, 2007 8:56 am

Author: Romania Info

Posted: Mon May 28, 2007 8:56 am

SHOPPING IN ROMANIA

General

In Bucharest, shops line major avenues such as B-dul. Magheru and Calea Victoriei, complete with stylishly-garbed mannequins and attractive displays. You'll find all the famous designer names, although imported items are no bargain. Romanian-made porcelain and glass objets d'art, on the other hand, are inexpensive by western standards. Bring along an extra bag if you're into traditional handicrafts. Few countries offer such a combination of variety, high-quality workmanship and low prices as Romania. For local folklore arts and crafts watch for the artizanat stores throughout the city, specialising in crafts made by Romanian peasants, including embroidered decorations, dolls, masks and other items.

Shopping hours

Mon-Sat 0900-1800, although this may vary according to season and area.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0900-1300.

Currency

Leu (plural Lei) = 100 bani; Old notes are in denominations of Lei1,000,000, 500,000, 100,000, 50,000 and 10,000. Old coins are in denominations of Lei5000, 1000, 500, 100 and 1. New notes are in denominations of Lei500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1. New coins are in denominations of Bani: 50, 10, 5 and 1.

Note: As of 1 July 2005, Romania's legal tender, previously coded as ROL, has been redenominated so that ROL 10,000 are exchanged for 1 new Leu (RON). The old Leu will be legal tender until the end of December 2006.

Currency exchange

It is recommended that visitors bring hard currency, particularly US Dollars, as this can be easily and even eagerly exchanged by shops, restaurants and hotels. Sterling can be easily exchanged in most resorts. All hard foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, larger hotels and airports and at authorised exchange offices (Birou de Schimb Valutar). Rates can vary from one place to another, so visitors are advised to shop around for the best rate of exchange. Exchanges on the black market are made frequently, but visitors are advised to exchange money through proper exchange channels and to receive a currency exchange receipt, as certain services require visitors to show the receipt as proof of having made at least one financial transaction. ATMs (bancomat) accepting MasterCard and Visa can be found in main banks, airports and shopping centres but should not be relied upon as a sole source of cash.

Credit & debit cards

American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are accepted by large hotels, car rental firms and some restaurants and shops. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Traveller's cheques

Like credit and debit cards, these are usually only useful in hotels and for obtaining cash at the bank or selected exchange offices. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars or Euros.

Currency restrictions

The import of local currency is prohibited (unless in possession of a special license); the export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is limited to $10,000; the export of foreign currency is limited to the amount imported.