Thursday, July 29, 2010

Where do I sleep tonight?


There are a good selection of hotels, apartments and hostels in Warsaw, so after a hard day pounding the streets or a hard night trying to drink vodka, you can find somewhere to lay your head.

Expensive


High end hotels are actually relatively inexpensive compared to other parts of Europe but they still don't come cheap. Three of the best are The Marriot, The Intercontinental and The Bristol.

The Marriot was Warsaw's first sky scraper after being opened in the early 90's and is something of an institution in the city.It is also perfectly located next to the central train station. The intercontinental is one of the cities most stunning buildings and has a swimming pool on the top floor, which is offers beautiful views of the city from the comfort of the jacuzzi. The Bristol also comes highly recommended from those who have stayed there and is next to the Presidential Palace, just a few short steps from the Old Town.

Reasonably priced


There are two great places to stay if your looking at a fairly cheap price bracket. First of all, I couldn't recommend The Castle Inn more. This little hotel is situated in the castle square and has a number of individually designed rooms, each with a different theme. Check out the website and you'll see what I mean. http://castleinn.pl/?lang=en

Another great option are Old Town Apartments who offer acomodation in and around the most beautiful areas of the city. If your travelling in a group of four or more, this might be the best option, as the quality on offer is amazing when you consider the price you pay.

Cheap


Warsaw has a number of nice hostels for those who just seek a bed and somewhere to hang out. One great place is Oki Doki Hostel which is run by the same people as The Castle Inn, which means, individually designed rooms, amazingly friendly staff, good atmosphere and a cool bar. Strongly recommended for anyone who wants to meet  new people. For other cheap options check www.hostel-bookers.com

Friday, June 4, 2010

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Polonia or Legia?

Ask Warsaw locals what the football experience is like here and the majority will look at you blanked face and shake their heads . Due to crumbling stadia, security fears and years of under investment, attendances are relatively low and only true fans still regularly attend games. The times are changing though. Throughout Poland there seems to be a realisation that if the stadiums are modernized the fans will come back and that attitude is no different in Warsaw. In July Legia Warszawa's newly refurbished stadium will be unveiled in a friendly match with Arsenal, while just over a year ago Polonia Warszawa opened a new all seater main stand. 
The Improvements within the ground have as yet been unmatched by the quality on the pitch as the standard of play is well below anything you'll see in most other European top divisions. Yet that does not mean that going on a match can't be a great experience. When the fans put on a performance here it is a truely wonderful sight. The flares, banners and atmosphere are reminiscent of Seria A, only on a smaller scale.
The key question is though which team to go and watch. Most people here pick Legia, the team of the old regime, who for years have been helped out by the city government. But in my eyes there is only one choice - Polonia. Originally supported by the intelligencia during the early days of the clubs inception, the club are now considered by many to be the poor relation to their powerful neighbours over the river. Yet in terms of tradition, support and match day experience, nothing beats a trip to Polonia. Check out the international supporters club here http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=121014571253839&ref=ts

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Care for a drink, dear chap?

As Benjamin Franklin wisely noted "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy", and if you are the kind of person who likes nothing more than to quaff a few light ales of an evening, then Warsaw is a city that may cater for your particular desires. I've compiled a list of my favourite drinking establishments that will hopefully tickle your fancy, but for God's sake - please drink responsibly!

Klaps - Nowy Świat 22/28, pawilony

This unique little bar is dotted among numerous original drinking dens in the Pavillony area, just behind Nowy Swiat (near the Palm tree). The original decor, atmosphere and quality music make this a must visit destination on the Warsaw drinking map.

At first glance it looks like any other dimly lit bar but upon closer inspection everything is not quite as it seems. One of the walls is adorned with a glowing wall of breasts, a sight that so astounded a Saudi Arabian man who I accompanied there one night, that he spent hours staring at and touching them. Other features that make this place stand out are the Jackson Pollack style paint job down stairs and the replacement of door handles and beer pumps with pink vibrators.

If you are fan of guitar music, particularly any form of rock 'n' roll from Johnny Cash to the White Stripes, then this is the place for you. The concoction of weird surroundings, great music and varied clientele make this a wonderful little place to while away the hours, but be careful, this is the kind of place that can suck you in and not spit you out until the sun comes up.


Bierre Halle - Nowy Świat 64 or Arkadia


The best pint of beer in Warsaw is provided by Bierhalle, a micro-brewery chain that has bars both on Nowt Swiat and in Arkadia shopping centre. The choice of beers includes wheat, dark, Pilsner and Oktoberfestbier, all of which are produced in accordance with the edict Reinheitsgebot (Purity Law) of 1516, according to which the production of beer uses only four resources: water, malt, hops and yeast. Which not only means that the beer tastes wonderful it also reduces the effects the next day, as your own ingesting pure ingredients. Beers come in two sizes - small (a pint), big (1 litre) and there is a good choice of traditional Polish/German cuisine.

Monday, May 31, 2010

Restaurants


U Kucharzy (The chefs), is a renowed establishment, set in the old kitchen of the once famous Hotel Europejski, on Ul. Krakowskie przedmiescie. My expectations prior to arrival were extremely high due to a recommendation I recieved from Gazetta wyborcza's resident food critic. A mountain of a man, (who has a more than passing resemblance to one of Spinal Tap's dead drummers) I spotted him recently in one of Warsaw's smoky and dimly lit bars and decided  to ask him outright what he believed was the best place to eat  in the city. "U Kucharzy, without doubt" was his reply.

A few days ago, I had something to celebrate, so it seemed like the ideal opportunity to see what all the fuss was about. The first thing that you notice is the decor. Minimalist and sparcely decorated with plain white tiles adorning the walls, a remnant of it's old incarnation as a hotel, it has the feel of the old world about it. Secondly for me was the atmosphere, this is a place full of characters. The majority of the waiters look like they've lived a little and possibly drank a lot but they also have the air of professionals. In the background a live pianist played a Chopin number and it felt like a pleasant experience already.

I did still though have some reservations, as the signature dish is steak tartare (raw mice meat, raw eggs and raw onion), something which in the past I'd found hard to view in a favourable light. Still, after entering and getting to our table I was told in no uncertain terms by my dining partner that I would be eating it, so there. The chef arrived a short time later with a large wooden chopping board, atop a metal serving trolley and proceeded to prepare it right in front of our eyes from a large piece of prime steak and I have to say that this got my taste buds going. The result was delicious and actually tasted nothing like any previous tartare I'd eaten. It was much smoother and perfectly seasoned.

While waiting for the main a waitress who must have been pushing seventy ambled past our table pushing a trolley laden with spirits bottles, "Anything more to drink?"  We declined to which she gave a rueful smile and a shrug of the shoulders. A moment later and another chef arrived at our table accompanied by two waiters, who took hot pans from a trolley and began to plate up our food at the table. This is the most enjoyable part of the evening, you feel like you are somebody because the waiters take time over you. The food itself was excellent. I ate the duck in cranberry sauce and not only was it an enormous portion but it was cooked to perfection and full of flavour.

After waddling out into the cool night air my guest and I we're in agreement - a fantastic evening in a restaurant with excellent service and real character. If you get the opportunity please visit this place, you won't  regret it.

http://www.gessler.pl



Bombay Masala - A Taste of England in lovely Mokotow


After a bit of a delay Warsaw is slowly beginning to embrace a notion that in Britain has been well known for many years - Indian Cuisine is delicious. Well most of us feel that way, although my father likes to pull his face at any even slightly curried dish and say something like "all that cream, I feel sick just looking at it".

Luckily if you are a fan of Indian food, the standard in Warsaw is excellent. One quite recent addition to the food map is Bombay Masala based in the heart of Mokotow, one of the cities prettiest and wealthiest areas. The restaurant itself is quite small but rather than this seeming a disadvantage it actually makes it for a more intimate experience.

The menu contains all the typical Indian favourites - Samosa's, naans, chicken tikka masala. As well as a few more unusual additions. I ordered mutton curry which I attempted to get with rice and naan but through a combination of my poor grasp of the Polish language and the waitress' obvious confusion that anyone would be greedy enough to have both, I lost my bottle and went for naan only. I also tried a little bit of the spinach with cheese which seemed like a nice vegetarian option.

The biggest surprise came with desert when we decided to try Gulab jamun (milk balls in syrup) and it turned out to be a hybrid miniature version of treacle sponge - what a great surprise that was.

If you are still not convinced, let me just throw this one in - it's BYOB! "It's a what? What you talking bout?" Well so I'm reliably informed by my friends from over the pond, it means bring your own beer, yes you can bring your own alcohol as they don't serve it themselves. All in all a great place for a curry - get it while it's hot.

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Travel



Travel - Warsaw is a relatively easy city to get around, so long as you know where you are going. If you don't it can be extremely confusing. I once spent half an hour in the under pass next to Metro Centrum just trying to escape..but not to worry, this mini-guide should provide you with the information you need to survive.

If you arrive in Warsaw by train at Dworzec Centralna (central station) you are already in the heart of the city. For those staying in city centre accomodation, the best option is to take a taxi from the main entrance. You could also use public transport with Metro Centrum just a few hundred metres walk and numerous buses and trams passing by. To find out bus and tram times and stops use this site ZTM.

For those who are arriving by plane there are two options for finding your way to your hotel. The first and the cheapest is to take the 175 bus direct from the airport. It stops a numerous locations on the journey from the airport including - Dworzec Centralna, Metro Centrum and Nowy Swiat, before finishing just a short walk from Stare Miasto (The Old Town). Tickets can be bought from electronic ticket machines on board, but remember to stamp your ticket straight after buying or it won't be valid. The second option is to travel by taxi but at the airport you do this at your own risk. You should not take a taxi from anyone who approaches you inside the airport and asks if you want a taxi. It is highly probable that they may be an unlicensed driver and will charge you an extortionate rate for the pleasure of illegally driving you to your destination. You can find normal taxis outside the main entrance and the price from the airport to the city centre should be around 50zl.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

Top five budget feasts

Restaurants


"There's a certain je ne sais quoi about a nice firm carrot". 'Monge tout, monge tout' uncle Monty but while I agree with you to a  certain extent, when it comes to feasts, I am a meat man all the way. To be honest, the more the better.
If like me your not satisfied until you have to unfasten your belt, open a few extra buttons on your shirt and must to retire to dark room for a very long sit down, post meal, then this is the section for you...and what's more all the restaurants featured not only offer big portions of great grub, they are also all relatively cheap. Enjoy!

1. Podwale - http://www.podwale25.pl/

Located in the centre of the Old town, Podwale is an enormous Bavarian style restaurant, which is a strictly canivores  only eating establishment. With excessively large portions of traditonal meaty fare, home brewed beer, cheap prices, food that arrives on fire and an umpa band, what more could you ask for if your looking for the ultimate in fine 'budget' dining? Favourite dish - The officer's selection of grilled meats.

2. Co Tu - Ul. Nowy Swiat 26/28

An institution in Warsaw, this Vietnamese cafe/take-away is located among the myriad of bars in 'Pawilony'. Not only do they serve great food but they do it extremely quickly. Always packed to the rafters with a variety of clientele, from high class business people to penniless students, this is must visit place on the Warsaw food map. Favourite dish - Beef on a hot plate.

3. Namaste Indian - http://www.namasteindia.pl/

A popular place among Brits, Indians and Poles alike, Namasta Indian may not quite take the title of 'the best Indian restaurant in Warsaw', but it unquestionably offers the best value for money. There are two restaurants, one in the Old town and the other just a few streets away from Centrum Metro Station. For the 'real' Indian experience I recommend the central location which doubles up as a mini-shop. If you sit near the produce for sale, expect the waitress to think nothing of leaning across you mid-meal to grab a packet of cumin off the shelf. Favourite dish - Samosas (they're just like back home)



4. Toan Pho - Ul. Chimielnej 5/7



One of the only restaurants in Warsaw were you can get authentic Vietnamese cuisine, this wonderful little place originally gained its reputation in the legendary 'Stadion' market over on the other side of the river. Now situated on the centrally located Chimielnej street, it is the perfect place to get a big bowl of piping hot food that will be prepared in double quick time right before your eyes. Favourite dish - Pho.







5. Jeffs - http://www.jeffs.pl/

Food buffs out there might bawk at the idea that this place makes it into the top five but 'Jeffs', a sister establishment of Podwale, but with a cheesy American feel, has a pretty big menu and serves big portions of diner style food. Favourtie dish - English Breakfast (it's 12zl!).



For more food reviews, check out http://eat-in-warsaw.blogspot.com/