Some of Warsaw's Top Restaurants - Part 1

Cafe Furkot is a bar/restaurant I have visited several times since I moved to Warsaw. It is becoming one of my favourite cafes mainly because of its location which is very close to my son's flat and not far from the cinema complex which I generally visit at weekends.

The cafe is split into three sections; an inside area with cosy seating and a bar, a middle section that is enclosed with large wooden tables and an outside terrace that spreads out on to the pavement. At the moment because the weather is so wonderful it is good fun to sit at a table on the terrace so you can watch people rushing around on ul. Jana Pawla II. This is a famous boulevard named after Pope John Paul II and is a busy thoroughfare leading to Arkadia in one direction and Kino Femina in the other..

In winter it is far more sensible to sit inside where there is always a warm greeting by the friendly bar staff and owner. The room inside is only small with walls painted a deep red which immediately gives you an extra feeling of warmth. Seating is built into the wall across from the bar and adorned with colourful cushions. In a tiny alcove sits a mellow lamp and the odd ornament. Several pieces of art work are dotted on the walls - sometimes photographs, other times modern abstracts.

The bar is small with several stools and at the right side of the bar are three tables and chairs which look out on to the middle area which is filled with wooden tables and in winter a huge gas burner. This area is generally used for large gatherings.

My husband and I usually visit Cafe Furkot on our way home from the cinema. We like to stop and have a couple of beers and a meal. The atmosphere is always friendly if at times a bit rowdy and the room can sometimes be smokey as smoking is still allowed in this bar.

To say that the establishment is only small the menu is quite large and not only is Polish food served but Mexican, Italian and American. Food is plentiful and very reasonably priced.You are looking at around 18 - 22 zloty per dish which is approximately £4.

Chicken and fish are the main ingredients of the dishes served and these are generally barbecued or incorporated into pasta dishes. Soups are home made and salads are plentiful, using fresh, crisp ingredients. Pierogi - a favourite Polish snack is also available as is smoked salmon.

Sami Swoi is my favourite dish and this consists of chicken breast, grilled until tender, then sliced and mixed in with Italian penne, red and green peppers, blended together in a tomato and basil sauce. This comes to the table piping hot on a large white plate with a side serving of mixed salad. Because the portions are so large we generally order one plate of pasta between two and have found this amount to be ample and extremely filling.

On other occasions my husband has eaten Feta salad which is served in a quirky way and not a way I have seen before.Cooked bacon is added to the the Feta cheese and the whole salad comes served on a bed of giant Nachos. Absolutely delicious but far too much food.

My son's favourite dish is tortilla with fried vegetables. Two cooked tortillas filled with tender chicken fillet, courgette, red and green peppers, aubergine, garlic and herbs. Tortillas are served on a large plate with two small additional, bowls - one with a creamy blue cheese dressing and the other with a pungent garlic dressing. As well as this mountain of food there is a large mixed salad with various lettuce leafs and baby juicy tomatoes.

Beer is served from the pump and is always creamy and cold. Wine, spirits and soft drinks are available but I have only ever drunk beer here. Price of a large glass of beer is approx £1.50 and worth every penny.

For visitors who are in Warsaw to tour the ghetto and other Jewish monuments then Cafe Furkot is close to Pawiak, the Gestapo prison and is just around the corner. A little further on is the impressive monument Umschlagplatz on Stawki Street. Arkadia, a huge shopping complex is also within walking distance.

Tram numbers 16, 17 and 19 can be caught from Central Station to Nopolowki which is the stop to look out for if you are heading to Cafe Furkot for a tasty meal and a good pint of Tyskie beer.

I want to take you to a restaurant that without any doubt is my favourite in the city of Warsaw. However, it does not serve Polish cuisine but Lebanese. This restaurant is located next door to the Praski Hotel (see my review). It is in down town Praga , a district of Warsaw that was run down but is now turning a little Bohemian.

Le Cedre is just over the bridge from the Old Town, past the first set of traffic lights by the river on Solidarnosci Avenue. No 61 to be precise. You can catch a tram or a bus from the city centre or even walk from the Old Town. When you step into this restaurant you are immediately transported into the Middle East. The recently re-furbished decor is enchanting giving the whole restauarant an oriental ambience. You could be in Damascus not in Warsaw as the soft rustic colours of the walls, soft furnishings in silks and tapestries, traditional music and water pipes invite you into this spacious den of exoticism.

Warsaw in past years has a had a problem with middle eastern cuisine. Apart from the kebab shops and booths selling kebabs there wasn't a real oriental restaurant where you could have a dinner party or just a romantic evening for two where you could relax and enjoy a meal of exotic cuisine served in an authentic establishment. The last 3 years has seen great changes in this city and you will generally find restaurants of all nationalities, traditions and tastes. For me Le Cedre is the best, a little expensive but the quality of food, ambience and authenticity cannot be beaten.

Decor
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As mentioned above the restaurant has had a brand new face lift. Both the owner and chef are from the Lebanon so naturally the decor depicts scenes from the country. The interior is literally like stepping into a luxurious Arabian tent. Lebanon was the trading centre of the Phoenician Coast in ancient times and the painting of an old Lebanese map on the wall illustates this point. Complete with lanterns, silky drapes, tea sets, Lebanese fabrics, luxurious sofas, water pipes and the greeting of Ahlan wa Sahlan(Welcome) from the owner, you will be enthralled with this decor and evocative atmosphere.

The raised area behind the bar has now been opened up to reveal a private alcove which will seat 6 people. The decoration gives this area a very personal, intimate feel. The back of the restaurant where we always used to sit has now also been opened up and is more spacious and can actually be viewed form the front of the restaurant. The tables are large and the seating is comfortable. The owner and staff are always welcoming and will stop and chat to you without being overly intrusive, making the whole atmosphere relaxed.

Menu
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The menu on offer is rich and varied and the dishes served make you realise just how influential Lebanese cuisine is. Ingredients and other elements can also be found in Turkish and Greek dishes. The food served is a fascinating mix of simply cooked foods based on wonderful fresh ingredients and minced meat dishes designed to make a substantial meal out of inexpensive or scarce ingredients, and recipes incorporating exotic spices and flavourings.

Traditionally meals generally start with a selection of mezzah's ( a spread of appetizers). Mezzah's are warm or cold starters served on traditional plates. We have only visited this restaurant on our own or with two or three other people but as there are so many of these dishes, about 40 in all it will probably be a good idea and more cost effective to visit as a large group. Lebanese cuisine is about sharing and tasting as many different dishes as possible. I can't list all the dishes on the menu as it would be too long but I will tell you about the dishes we chose the other night.

We decided to have a mixture of mezzah's - hot and cold which were;

Cold Mezzah's
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The amounts ordered were enough for 3 people and the conversion rate from zloty to pound at the time of writing is approx 4 zl to £1.

Hoummous
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Pureed chick peas in a sesame sauce with a hint of lemon juice. The taste was delicate and for me just right. Delicious on Lebanese flat bread. 10/10

Price 12 zloty

Tabbouleh
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A national salad comprising of tomatoes, parsley, onion, mint and olive oil. A subtle combination - mouthwatering. 10/10

Price 15zloty

Warak Inab
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Vine leaves stuffed with cooked rice, delicate blend of herbs and spices. This is decorated on a plate with sprigs of mint. lemon slices and tomatoes. I love the oily texture of the vine leaves with the delicate flavouring of the rice mixture. Exquisite. 10/10

Price 16zloty

Shmandar
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This is chopped fresh beetroot served in olive oil, lemon juice and garlic. This was ordered especially for me as my husband isn't keen on beetroot, neither was our guest. Mouthwatering. 9/10

Price - 12 zloty

For a price of 75 zloty we decided to order a Byblos Choice which is 6 warm starters of your choice and we chose;

Falafel
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Boiled chick peas made into a round ball tossed in olive oil and spices. 10/10 Delicious - had to order more of these.

Jawaneh Dajaj
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Grilled chicken wings with a coating of delicate spices. These were my favourite as they were grilled to my perfection and the coating was a lemony spicy, chilli taste. Incredible. 10/10

Foul Medammas
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Boiled broad beans served with a garlic sauce. Not everybody's favourite bean but very tasty and refreshing. 8/10

Okra
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Small okras cooked in a rich tomato sauce. This is a great favourite with our family. Love the delicate taste of okra and the sauce was not too spicy - just right . 10/10

Kallaj Jebne
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Lebanese bread filled with melted cheese decorated with tomatos and olives. Scrummy and filling. 10/10

Arayes
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Cooked minced lamb served in Lebanese bread and grilled. Fantastic taste of cheese and lamb. Delicious . 10/10

Believe it or not we were absolutely full after eating all these dishes. To wash the meal down with we had a bottle of red Les Terroirs 2003 and our guest had a 50cl glass of Zywiec (polish ) beer. The wine cost 95 zl and the beer 10zl.

If you don't wish to order the mezzah's there are soups, fish dishes, beef, chicken and lamb dishes on offer. All meats are marinated for over 24 hours so the meat is very tender. All main meals are served with chips, cous-cous, rice or vegetables.

They vary from 13 zloty to 49 zloty in price.

Soft drinks, beers, spirits, white and red wines are sold.

The restaurant has a huge selection of wines from France, Spain, Italy, Chile and Australia. Prices vary from 118 zloty up to 390 zloty.

Lebanese coffee is strong and tasty and costs 9 zloty a cup or you can choose Phoenician coffee which has a drop of cardoman and arak added to it. Arak is a clear, aniseed based spirit generally drunk in the Middle eastern countries such as Lebanon, Syria and Israel.

Lebanese tea is served from an authentic tea pot which comes served on a tray with glass cups. Phoenician tea has a touch of rum added. Tea is served without milk and with lemon or a sprig of mint.

I will say that the alcoholic drinks are probably the most expensive in Warsaw especially wines.

Service
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I can not fault the service at all. All waiters, the chef and owner are extremely friendly and polite. They carry out their duties with style and are very professional but at the same time friendly and make you feel very welcome.

Quirky touches
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If you wish to add a bit of spice to your evening you can order your very own belly dancer which costs 350 zloty and has to be reserved the day before. If you visit the restaurant on a Friday night the spectacle will be free.

The Arguile ( Water Pipe)
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One of the oldest traditions in the Lebanon is the arguile or otherwise known as the shishah. You can take part in this ritual whilst enjoying your Lebanese dishes and soaking up the Lebanese atmosphere. The cost is 75zl and comes in two flavours strawberry and apple.

My Conclusion
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I think it is amazing that this litle bit of the Middle East has been created in downtown Warsaw. It is an enchanting restaurant serving excellent authentic Lebanese cuisine. Staff are the friendliest I have ever met. It is a pleasure to visit and one of the reason's I am glad to be back in the city.

On Friday evening my husband decided to be adventurous and booked a table for two at an Indonesian restaurant on ul. Jasna. Number 22 to be precise. It's a long time since I have eaten Indonesian food and wasn't really sure what to expect but he had been told that this cuisine at the Galeria Bali was authentic.

As we walked down ul. Jasna I could see the front of the restaurant lit up with silver fairy lights and gold statuettes of Indonesian icons. This all looked bizarre and as we entered the interior I did wonder if the decor inside was going to be over the top.

I felt myself smiling as it was like walking on to a set from the King and I and I expected Yul Brynner to come from behind the bar and do a little dance on the wooden floor. Gold Buddhas and praying monks were dotted around the restaurant and wooden carvings adorned the walls. Rays of golden light sifted through the hand made coconut lamps and Indonesian music drifted quietly in the background.

A very tall young Polish waiter came towards us dressed in full Bali attire. The fabric of his garment was beautiful - batik with gold embroidery on the sleeves. Although the traditional dress was lovely this young man didn't look quite right in it - far too tall I think. I was a little disappointed that all the waiters were Polish and not from Bali.

Our waiter was very polite and showed us to a table in the corner of the room on the right hand side of the restaurant. The table was facing a window which overlooked the street and had a gold Buddha sat on the window sill. The icon was posed in prayer. The table was set for 4 and everything seemed oversized. As I sat at the table I felt like I was in that scene in Alice in Wonderland at the Mad Hatter's tea party. My chair had a very high back and the plates which were painted gold and only for decoration were huge as were the glasses. At the side of my plate was a gold serviette folded through a gigantic imitation ruby ring. I assumed that all the decorations were from Bali but to be honest I didn't really like any of them. They were rather vulgar and tacky.

Once we had sat down the waiter came with the menu and this was a joke. It was the size of an Encyclopedia Britannica and just as heavy. While I was trying to balance the menu on my lap the waiter cleared the table of all the gimmicky decorations and re-set it. This I thought was strange and a little annoying. Skipping through the menu I began to wonder whether the food was going to be freshly cooked or microwaved because there is no way a chef would be able to work with a menu of that size.

While we were deciding what to order food wise the waiter took our drinks order which was two large glasses of beer. These came straight away served on a tray. Cold, delicious Polish draught beer. No complaints here except for the price - 12 zloty per glass which is the equivalent of £2.50. I know this isn't expensive by UK standards but it is for Poland.

After studying the menu which seemed to take ages we finally chose our starters, a bowl of Soto Ayam and a plate of Ayam Satays. Soto Ayam is a chicken soup flavoured with coconut, lemongrass, shallot onions chili and kaffir leaves. As the waiter came from the kitchen with the soup on a tray I could smell the lemongrass straight away. It is a refreshing sweet smell and as this was my husband's starter I was dying to try some. The bowl the soup was served in was very attractive - a highly glazed type of pottery - probably faience. My husband started to tuck in and then the satays arrived so I didn't get a chance to try his soup until later.

The chicken satays were a little disappointing. Four pieces came served on a plate with a cucumber salad and a small pot of peanut sauce. The chicken was well cooked and very tasty. I could tell that the meat had been marinated in a spicy paste but not in peanut butter. I prefer the chicken to be cooked in a peanut sauce - not to have it separately. The salad was very nice, consisting of shallots, cucumber and bean sprouts which had been dressed in a mixture of lime juice, chili and sesame oil. As there were 4 satays I saved two for my husband and we swapped plates so I could eat some of his soup.

What did we think of the soup - not a lot! It was a very large bowl and I knew that it was too much liquid for one person to eat. Again, the pieces of chicken were very smooth and tender but the taste of the soup was dominated by lemongrass and coconut which was far too sweet and sickly for me. There was a slight hint of ginger in the soup which gave it a bit of zing but overall I wasn't impressed with the flavour. I will give the soup 4/10 and the chicken satay's 7/10. Price of the satays was 30 zloty which is £6 and the soup cost 25 zloty (£5).

As the menu was so vast I struggled to make a choice and made a big mistake by ordering a chicken dish. In retrospect I should have ordered a beef or pork dish. The dish I ordered was Ayam Jawa which is a yellow chicken curry. The curry was presented to me in a large earthenware bowl which was highly glazed and very attractive. Inside the bowl was an enormous amount of sliced boneless chicken floating around in a sauce made from yellow curry paste. The aromas from the dish were wonderful but the taste wasn't. I can't fault the delicate taste of the chicken pieces and I did taste shallots, bean sprouts and a touch of cumin. But the overall taste was bland and the texture of the sauce was watery.

So what did my husband order? On this occasion he had the savvy to order something different than chicken. He ordered Beef fillet with ginger and oranges. Sounds exquisite but was it? It smelt delicious and looked exotic and the taste was not bad at all. You know why? There wasn't any coconut or lemongrass added to the ingredients. I also liked the carrots and shallots which are a nice colourful combination together with the zesty orange sauce. Yes, the beef dish gets the thumbs up. To accompany both of our dishes we had a bowl of steamed jasmine rice which was cooked to perfection. soft and not sticky - just the way it should be. Rice side dishes cost 7 zloty (£1.50).

I didn't finish all of my chicken yellow curry as I really didn't enjoy it and I felt bloated so when the waiter asked me if I wanted the dessert menu I definitely said NO. We didn't order wine either with the meal because it is very expensive in restaurants here in Warsaw and I begrudge paying through the nose for wine.

Prices for both main meals were; 59 zloty for the beef dish (£12) and 49 zloty for the chicken curry (£10).

I really wanted to enjoy the food served in the Galeria Bali but I didn't. If this is classed as authentic cuisine then I am very disappointed with it. It is very bland and most chicken dishes seem dominated by lemongrass and coconut. Perhaps this is the norm for these types of dishes - I don't know as I am not an expert on the cuisine of Bali, Burma and Java.

As for the decor of the restaurant it is well presented but just too tacky for my individual taste. The waiting staff were polite but didn't seem to have much charisma. I think it may be another one of Warsaw's restaurants that fades away into the distance. On the other hand if you like Buddha statuettes, praying monks, batik and gilded masks then this might be for you.

The other day I was taken out for lunch by my husband to the affluent side of Warsaw. The restaurant he chose is called Va bene and is situated in Ursynow.

Ursynow is what I would call a yuppie part of Warsaw and to reach this luxuriant suburb you need to take the Metro from the central station and get off at the Stoklosy stop which is 3 stops before the final stop, Kabaty, south of the city. The restaurant is situated on ul. Zamiany 4 which is a small street opposite the Metro station.

Apparantly, Va Bene is part of a network of restaurants known for their great Italian specialities that are based on old recipes like Mama used to cook and only the best quality ingredients are used.

As you enter the restaurant you walk through an archway typical of villas throughout the Mediterranean with a rough white painted exterior and rustic amber rooftop tiles. At this point I was very excited. The terrace is quite large and has several wooden tables and chairs set out. All very highly polished. The floor of the terrace is probably concrete but it has been designed to give it that cobbled courtyard effect. The surrounding walls are painted white with arched windows filled with flower boxes and there are old fashioned reproductions of gas lamps dotted around the terrace and the odd conifer and palm planted amongst brightly coloured shrubs.

On this occasion we chose to sit inside. The room was so pretty. A sea of powder blue; chairs, tables, beams, old-fashioned dressers. Every piece of furniture had the distressed look.

Threaded through the open beams are trailing ivy plants and scented geraniums. There is a mixture of circular and square tables; each with 4 chairs and very simply decorated on top with a small white vase of flowers and a serviette holder filled with white serviettes. The contrast of the blue and the bleached white is stunning. Lovely old Victorian style candle lamps hang from the ceiling and some are mounted on the side walls. Apart from blue stained wood the only other dominant material is wrought iron. I spotted wine racks, lamps and a beautiful mounted Victorian style clock all made from this versatile metal. The final touch to make the restaurant look authentic was the tiled floor - terra cotta floor tiles. When the sun came through the windows the streams of light danced on the tiles making the whole room incandescent. Whoever designed this restaurant has done an excellent job and I have to mark the decor 10/10.

Rather than sitting in the central area of the restaurant we chose a small table near an arched window opposite the bar. The bar was very attractive, shaped in a semi circle decorated with old fashioned wine bottles and strings of garlic and peppers hanging down from the roof. At the back of the bar was the pizza oven and French wooden doors which led into the kitchen.

I was eager to see what was on the menu so when the waiter approached us with a menu card I nearly grabbed it out of his hand as I was so anxious to view the delicacies. Normally, if presunto or any home cured ham is on the menu I always opt for it but this time I thought I would choose something else and went with fried asparagus in a wine and cheese sauce. This is a hot starter and the price is 24 zloty (approx £5). My husband chose Crostoni Toscana which is also a hot starter and is toasted bread topped with mozzarella cheese, sun dried tomatoes and rucola. The price is 12zloty.

At the same time of ordering our starters and main meal, the very tall, handsome and smiley waiter took our drinks order which was as usual 2 large glasses of beer. Unfortunately, Carlsberg was the only beer on offer which I am not that keen on but as there was no other choice it was better than none. A 0.50l glass of beer is 8 zloty (1.50). Soft drinks and non - alcoholic drinks are also available.

I was very excited at the prospect of eating asparagus as it is difficult to come across in this part of the world. And to my surprise the young, succulent tips hidden underneath a pale creamy sauce were of the green variety which I love and not the pale yellow. The sauce was very smooth and the balance of cheese to wine was perfect for my taste buds. The cheese just dominated the taste of white wine which is how I like it. So 10 out of 10 for the asparagus.

My husband's toasted bread consisted of two large slices of white bread served on a very nice platter of wild rucola, sliced onions, olive oil and herbs. The mozzarella was sliced in quite thick slices dressed in virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of fresh basil. The sun dried tomatoes were large and very rich in taste. He said that the starter was very filling, scrumptious and well worth 12 zloty. 10/10 again.

After we had finished the starters the waiter cleared the dishes away but didn't bring our main dishes to us straight away as we had asked him to give us a breather in between courses. At this point we ordered a carafe of house red wine which cost 57 zloty.

As soon as we had finished our beers the waiter appeared with the carafe of wine.Within 5 or 6 minutes he came back with our main meals. Having studied the menu when we first arrived we both decided not to have a pasta or a rissotto dish. I chose a pork dish - pork fillet in gorgonzola cheese. My husband chose the lamb chops in a strawberry sauce.

Here comes our verdict -

The pork fillets were of the tenderloin variety - 3 pieces altogether. Every slither of meat was tender and melted in my mouth as soon as the slices hit the tip of my tongue. The aroma of the dish was slightly herby and spicy. I could taste dijon mustard, olive oil and thyme. The sauce which had been gently ladled over the pork slices and served in an additional sauceboat as well, smelt of strong blue gorgonzola, white wine, cream and a hint of bouillion. Together the soft texture of the meat, its delicate juices and the creaminess of the mustard, wine and full cream and one of Italy's best blue cheeses, gave this dish an outstanding taste. I have to mark the dish 10 out of 10. To accompany the pork fillet dish I had a bowl of plain white rice which was cooked to perfection.The price of the pork and rice came to 41 zloty ( just over £8).

My husband chose Lamb chops in a strawberry sauce.When the dish appeared on the table it looked very appetising I have to say. There were several small lamb chops and they looked like thay had been roasted in the oven with oilve oil, garlic, peppercorns and a marinade of strawberries and other ingredients. I was dying to taste the sauce although it looked like a dark red gravy rather than a sauce. With my husband's permission I first tasted a small amount of the sauce and it was rather unusual. It had a strawberry caramel sort of taste so I can only think that the onions had been caramelised with something like balsamic vinegar. Pieces of strawberry were noticeable in the sauce and mint leaves were part of the garnish which was actually quite refreshing. The cooked flesh of the chops was very dark and succulent. I am only guessing at this but I think the chops must have been marinaded in wine and sugar as the overal taste was sweet but with a rich flavour - very much like the taste of pheasant or partridge. I was very impressed - the taste was different but very pleasing and with a side dish of creamy whipped mashed potatoes, my husband was a very happy man. The price of the lamb chops and mash came to 52 zloty (£10.50)

The house wine was a little harsh and tasted like it was from the Languedoc and not of Italian origin but never mind - you can't win them all.

We ate everything on both plates and yes, we were very full indeed but I sort have had an hankering for a creamy Italian dessert so I chose Tiramisu with mascarpone and coffee. Oh boy, this is a heavenly dessert. Price - 16 zloty.

At just under £50, I can't fault the price and that includes two beers and a carafe of red wine.

I thoroughly recommend this restaurant but for visitors coming to Warsaw, remember that the restaurant is out of the city.

The Blue Cactus Restaurant in Warsaw is a strange restaurant - it doesn't seem to stick to serving one cuisine. Even though it is advertised as a Tex Mex restaurant in most guide books, it has an identity crisis and changes its menu every two months.

A couple of months ago the owner designed a menu with Chilean wines in mind. The chef recommended wines that would accentuate the flavours of the individual dishes on offer. Suddenly the menu changed to a Portuguese menu which is why I decided to give the restaurant a visit.

Portuguese is my favourite food and having lived in the country, ate in every establishment in the Algarve and several restaurants in Lisbon and Porto I wanted to check this chef's cuisine to see if it was authentic or not. My friends were more interested in trying the Tex Mex so having thrown my glad rags on, off we went on the tram to the Mokotow region of Warsaw (tram No's 18, 19 and 36) and here is my verdict:-

Location

Not the most celubrious of locations. The Blue Cactus is situated in Moskie Oko Park which in itself is a picturesque park. However, not a good situation for visiting the restaurant in winter. We have severe winters here in Warsaw - can be -20 sometimes and heavy snow. Can you imagine trudging through the park in your boots or wellies in 8 inches of snow just to get your Tex Mex fix?

The building the restaurant sits in isn't the prettiest either. It is a grey, dreary Communist block and has no artistic definition whatsoever. However, the owner has tried to welcome his visitors into the restaurant by painting the front facade blue and yellow which is jolly and quite pretty. Blue is one of my favourite colours so I was happy.

Decor

This is where my little face did light up as the decor is very bright and vibrant but not too overpowering. Several pieces of modern art adorn the walls which are interesting and very colourful. Each piece of furniture has been hand painted and individually decorated to give the restaurant an overall feel of Mexico. This is probably not authentic but I liked the colours - they were warm and inviting which is what you need if you do decide to visit in winter. There is an outside terrace so you can sit and take in the view of the park but on this occasion we chose to sit inside.

The tables are well spaced and set with individual crafted plates which is a nice touch. Cactuses are in abundance everywhere to give it that old Mexican feel and the focal point is the grill where you can see the flames swishing and dancing to the tune of the chef. The aromas in the restaurant are ones of hot spices like cumin and chilli and you immediately feel warm, hungry and ready to order.

Atmosphere

Overall I found the atmosphere very pleasant and relaxing especially to say it was lunch time. The Blue Cactus was very busy with mostly business people, families with children and the odd tourist. Waiters were enthusiastically buzzing around being very helpful without being over attentve. I noticed that they were very good with children and on the ball when clearing the tables. Out of 10, I will mark the atmosphere 9.

Most Important thing - Food!

I had already made up my mind before I sat down - I wanted to try some of the Portuguese food on offer so that was me sorted. The menu is quite extensive with over a hundred dishes to choose from, so it took a while for both friends to choose and in the end they opted for two servings of roasted garlic soup followed by goat's cheese salad and chilli prawns with coriander.

Roasted Garlic Soup

Piping hot temperature wise. Bold in taste but not too overpowering to the palette. Served with a basket of fresh poppy seed rolls which were soft and not too doughy. 9/10

Goat's Cheese Salad

The salad was fresh, crispy, mixed leaf adorned with cherry tomatoes and soft, slightly salted goat's cheese, drizzled in an olive oil dressing mixed with fragrant herbs such as oregano and basil. I tasted some of the goat's cheese as I love it but this wasn't salty enough for me but overall the salad was tantalising and worth 8/10.

Chilli Prawns

The portion size of the plate of prawns was huge - it was a meal fit for a Giant. I knew straight away that some would be left.Taste wise, the prawns were cooked to perfection, mouth watering and served in a creamy tomato, peanut and coconut milk sauce. My friends loved this dish but I thought it was a little sickly for my taste especially as the prawns also came with a coconut rice mixed with vegetables. Marks - 8/10. Unbelievably, every morsel was eaten.

Now on to my choice from the Portuguese Menu
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Traditional Portuguese Soup (that's what it says on the menu)

This consists of chorizo (spicy sausage which I adore), kale, cabbage, potatoes and extra virgin oil. Price 16zl (£4). In Portugal this soup is called Caldo Verde. The consistency could have been a bit thinner but the taste was delicious and authentic. 9/10.

For the main course I chose:-

Chanfana

Which is lamb broiled in red wine with bacon, sweet peppers, nutmeg and piri piri peppers,. This was served with fried kale and black olives. Price 52 zl (£14). I have to admit, I struggled with this course. The lamb was cooked well and it was very enjoyable. However, the nutmeg flavour of the dish spoilt it for me as I am not a fan and to be honest I have never known Portuguese use nutmeg when cooking with lamb. Desserts, yes, but not with lamb. The piri piri chillies gave the dish a kick which was enjoyable but overall I was a little dissapointed so I will award the chef 7/10 for that meal.

The dessert on offer on the Portuguese menu was Porto Jelly served with fresh fig and brown sugar gratin. I love fresh figs but passed on this dessert because I had already been tempted by the:-

Banana Madness

All three of us ordered this wonderfully sweet dessert even though the other two girls said that they were full. Banana Madness is a banana cake with walnuts served with ginger and cinnamon ice cream. The cake was soft and moist and so bananery (not sure if this word exists but it describes the taste) and the ice cream was amazing, delicious, mouth watering - not enough words to describe the delicate, dazzling taste of this dessert. 19 zl (£4.50). 10/10 Definitely.

Usually I drink beer with everything. However, today we had a glass of Chilean Marques de Casa Concha, served in a huge glass so I was able to swirl and swish it around and pretend I was a wine expert. Cost 21zl (£5). A little expensive but it was delicious.

Overall Impression

I had a very enjoyable lunch in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. I cannot fault the waiter service as they were polite and attentive during a busy lunch time. The decor was jolly and created a fun atmosphere to eat in. The food was well cooked and beautifully presented. I find the fact that it is a Tex Mex restaurant very confusing as the menu is so schizophrenic and varied. I did see people eating quesadillas, burritos, chicken wings and drinking margaritas which this restaurants prides itself on and from what I could see the food looked fresh and appetising but I can't comment on the taste. Portuguese cuisine - In my humble opinion this wasn't authentic.

As for the price it is a little higher than normal - around £25 - £30 per person including a glass of wine. I know that doesn't sound expensive compared with UK prices but for Poland it is quite high..

Location wise - in my view, it is wonderful during the summer months as you can go for a relaxing walk through the park afterwards to help digest the culinary overload but absolutely out of the question in a severe Polish winter. Brrrrrrr!

Overall Marks - 8/10 Recommended.

Smacznego! (Enjoy Your Meal).