Balgera for a big appetite

Situated on a small street in the swanky Mokotów district, Balgera is a destination worth savoring. The old-fashioned charm of a country restaurant fills the ground floor of a pre-war apartment building. The decor draws the eye from a cluster of wine bottles on one side, past bunches of fresh flowers to a collection of ceramic jars on the other.

The generous portions at this restaurant give guests something to sink their teeth into. The venison pâté (zł.45) and tomato-mozzarella salad (zł.25), for example, are tasty and sure to stir up an appetite for a hearty main dish.

The duck breast "tagliata" with vegetables, potatoes and honey (zł.55) is a delight - soft, tender and flavorful. Veggie-lovers need not despair though - the homemade pasta (zł.45) prepared by the Italian chef is a winner. In this dish, delicate flakes of semolina are flanked by rucola, mozzarella, tomatoes and capers. There's also the popular black tagliolini served with fresh tomatoes and shrimp or the fragrant ravioli stuffed with ricotta and spinach in a tomato-cream sauce.

For those who prefer a bit of meat with their pasta, the Piemontese ravioli stuffed with veal and vegetables served with a porcini sauce (zł.40) or the buccatini with leek and bacon sauce (zł.35) are sure to satisfy. Accompanied by a rich cabernet sauvignon from Chile (zł.12 per glass), the combination offers a marriage of latin flavors.

There's also a full menu of fish dishes, including a rolled filet of sole in asparagus and shrimp sauce (zł.80) or a whole fish-of-the-day grilled to perfection (zł.100). The latter involves a huge portion, so it's best to come hungry.

There is a note in the menu that offers a guarantee of quality, too: Balgera only serves fish on the days when it is freshest, making this a great place to impress a date or an important business contact.

Ristorante Balgera
ul. Rejtana 14
tel. 0-22 849-5674
www.balgera.pl
Open daily: 12:00-last guest