http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20011 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/20011 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19413 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19413 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17516 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17516 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13184
Modern, interesting and tasteful decor, the menu not the largest but has a good choice and lovely vegetarian dishes. The best food we have eaten anywhere in the last year, great service and cool music. Excellent wine and all very cheap.

Our meal for two, two courses each, with one large wine and one soft drink came to £24.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13184 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11242
About 12 of us got there at 9 pm on a Sunday, when they were about to close, and they effectively re-opened for us.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11242 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10998
The first two rooms – a bar and dining room - are quite intimate with cream walls, sepia photos, wooden furniture and subdued lighting.

The room we were seated in is more of a banqueting space, very pleasant - perfect for large groups and parties but a little empty with just the two of us at 6 in the evening. Towards the end of the room is a wonderful old stove and, yes, there are equine themed black and white photographs but actually this gallery, well displayed on the pale blue walls, was both decorative and interesting.

The menu is traditional Polish with a modern slant, starters include crab terrine, Polish sour rye soup, battered sardines and the intriguing but a little gruesome (at least for a non-meat eater like me) piglet in jelly. Main courses take in a selection of meats in sauces and casserole including wild boar, duck and turkey. For non meaties there are fish and vegetarian options, the latter including pancakes and pierogi. The food was extremely well presented and service throughout the evening was excellent. The standard of cooking was good but I am not sure that the main courses we had exactly worked, the carp was tasty but a little overpowered by the strong taste of the mushrooms, the Turkey could have done with a little more garlic and a little more sauce. However it was still a very nice meal and I would certainly eat there again, not least because of the lovely ambience and attentive staff.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10998 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10822
The surroundings are simple but pleasant, white walls, wooden chairs and benches, black and white photos on the wall and an array of hanging wooden fishes. The menu comprises a variety of soup - brought to your table in a metal dish suspended over an open flame from which you ladle it into your bowl – herrings, salmon and salami for starters followed by main courses of meat - including veal and wild boar goulash - poultry and fish dishes many incorporating potato cakes and dumplings. There is, however, only one vegetarian dish, potato cakes with mushroom sauce.

Service was understated but friendly and with a touch of flourish, for instance, when a main course of chicken Hungarian style was brought out sizzling from the kitchen and served ceremoniously from a platter onto the plate. As for the food itself it was great, tasty, filling, well cooked and well spiced. The main course of trout was perfectly cooked, crisp skin with melt in your mouth flesh underneath. Each main course also came with a side order of refreshing carrot, red and white cabbage salad.

And the price for two people for two courses, beer and vodka each – 99 zloty including a tip (approx. £17.00/$33.00). Excellent.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10822 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10750
If you want Jewish food, try one of the others around the square.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10750 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10749 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10749 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9624 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9624 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6487
For centuries, Krakow was the capital of Poland, the seat of kings, drawing great scholars and artists from the whole world. It is their talents and imagination we must thank for the city's rich legacy of unique historical relics, which reflect the most important trends in European culture.

The renaissance Royal Castle at Wawel, the gothic St Mary's Basilica, the historical trade pavilions of the Cloth Hall, the former separate Jewish city of Kazimierz, and even the Nowa Huta district, absorbed by Krakow together with its socialist-realist, industrial architecture, are all places which make a visit to Krakow extremely worthwhile.

Although the city no longer plays such an important administrative role, for many people, thanks to its rich history, Krakow nevertheless represents a synthesis of all things Polish, connecting tradition with modernity.

In the special atmosphere of the beautiful and mysterious streets of the Old Town and Kazimierz you will find everything you need to allow you to escape from everyday life.

Galleries full of exhibitions, cafes, pubs and restaurants: all of this is an integral part of any visit to Krakow.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6487 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6357
However, this place served the best meal of my life, taking in everything from the food, the service, the ambience, the environment. Everything about it was just 5 star.

They offer a 4 course traditional Polish menu (which ends up being 5 courses with an additional one brought "compliments of the chef") which is just outstanding, from fantastic pierogi to a broth full of flavour and tender beef fillet. Dessert is magnificent and comes with a large glass of cherry vodka to help it down.

Despite this being the most expensive restaurant in Krakow, 5 courses for two plus two bottles of wine and vodka came to £66 in total.

For service better than any michelin starred restaurant in London and quarter of the price, you must come here and experience it. They are so friendly and unpretentious that you could walk in in your jeans and trainers and you wouldn't get a second look from anyone. Definitely worth paying the extra just to experience this place.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6357 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6252 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6252 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6354
A bright, airy space with outside tables, this is a small bar which serves some of the best pierogi and placki in Krakow, and all for less than 10zl for any meal. Try any of the main meals with the unique 'hunters sauce'. With side dishes for under 50p, and enough food to leave you satisfied for less than the price of a coffee from the city centre, it is highly recommended, and I will be definitely be returning on my next visit.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/6354