Thursday, July 26, 2012

R20, ul. Rozbrat 20, Warsaw, Poland

I have a special place in my heart for the Powisle district of Warsaw.  This is where I grew up and went to my kindergarten,  elementary and high schools.  This is also where I used to know every street, building and podwórko.   Unfortunately, aside from indestructible Tokio sushi  and a number of really cool places on the wrong side of Powisle, it is pretty devoid of decent restaurants.  Thus, it gives me a great pleasure to write about a “desert flower” called R20 at Rozbrat street 20.  In my humble opinion, it is one of the best restaurants in Warsaw, and considered to be THE best by many.  I have been there many times for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and never was disappointed.  The place seems a bit crowded, but this feeling together with the overall décor creates a great imitation of a small high-end Parisian restaurant.  The always fresh and abundant flowers and the windows/doors that open to the street only strengthen this feeling.  Yesterday, we were sitting there in the evening, inside the restaurant.  The air temperature was perfect for the windows / doors to be open.  The ambiance was perfect; even the street lamps gave the right light on the trees outside.  Of course, the company you are with helps a lot in the positive perception.  Nevertheless, I was there many times before (also in the wintertime), and my observations were always positive.



The food has been always exceptional.  Starting with the freshly baked bread; through truly amazing starters (here I highly recommend the tuna-in-chunks tartar and whatever they happen to serve the scallops with);  moving into the main courses.  And here, I have to complement the chefs with what they do with the fish.  I have never eaten such a good cod with a touch of tomato sauce.  The same can be said for perch with asparagus.  You can really taste the unique flavour of each fish, delicately enhanced by the sauces.  On the meat side, if you like poultry, the guinea fowl is always a great choice, and their steak served with black truffles makes for a unique and sensational palate experience.  I try to stay away from desserts, but I hear ;) their chocolate soufflé is to die for.  The only weak point is rather narrow selection of wines, yet a sufficient one to go well with the served food.  To sum up, I recommend the place not only because it is in Powisle, but because it has both the style and the taste.



http://www.rozbrat20.pl

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Joseph's Wine & Food, Duchnicka 3, Warszawa, Poland

I am happy that Joseph Seeletso has moved closer to the center of Warsaw from Centrum Wina at Pulawska street.  Although, it was there, 5 years ago, that he served me a steak, which I considered one of the best steaks I have ever eaten (including the endless selection I have succumbed to all across the USA).  The key approach to going there though is to look at the name of the place, where wine is mentioned first and the food second.  The sommelier Rafal Kis really tunes into what you are telling him, and tries to find a wine that will suit your taste the best.  The Spanish and Italian wines rule, but the selection is really varied from all over the world.  I am partial to the grand cru French Chablis for starters, and later to the Spanish wines from Ribeiro del Duero region; so I am always content there.  The menu is pretty simple.  Every time I went there, the list of main courses consisted of choice of steak, duck, halibut and red snapper, posted on the board nest to the kitchen.  It’s worth noting that Joseph’s celery puree is truly amazing and world class, and recommendable any and every time.  The steaks are really good (as I have mentioned above), but the fish is what I always go for in the evening; it's a hit every time. 







Overall, the place is great for casual dining with the friends and acquaintances of all kinds.  It is a loft-like former production hall, which has a great atmosphere, and where staff is very friendly and understanding. I have been several times, and I am definitely going back.
http://www.josephwinebar.pl/