Hip music club/restaurant manages to stay focused on food
Mr. Moo had mentioned this joint to me after seeing a menu. He didn't like the look of the prices. A bit high for a music club, he thought. He also got the feeling it was attempting to be a bar, restaurant and night club all rolled into one. I nodded at his fear and hoped they would pick one area and do it well.
When Kiki and I walked up in casual street clothes, I thought the bouncer wasn't going to let us pass the entrance. He just looked at us sort of mean-like and didn't say a word. I hope this is their full-time, open-door policy and not a grace period until the place becomes known. The last thing we need is a new self-important establishment in this city. But we could use a few more smiling, thinking bouncers.
We strolled past the wooden outdoor tables and the slick, small bar inside to descend into the main dining/dance room with three bars. It was dim with yellowish, indirect lighting and two-tone blue walls and ceiling. I have to say it was cool, modern and almost elegant - a good try at the very least. Just remember it is a music club (whatever that means) and not a rock 'n roll joint. Forget the leather and guitars on the walls and the spilled Jack Daniels.
Nobody was there to seat us, so we wandered a bit before taking a table between the massive brick columns opposite a small stage. This spot could serve as a short perch on weekend nights when the lower level of the dining room transforms itself into a disco.
Our waiter seemed a bit nervous when he delivered our drinks. I, in turn, thought zl. 9 for a large Zywiec was bad for my nerves. But we were both fine in the end. I just got the feeling that their service style hadn't figured itself out yet. We got something between formal and friendly.
The menu is short and European. There are no hip names referring to any sort of music. Hot and cold starters (zl. 14-zl. 85) such as black caviar (zl. 85), carpaccio with capers (zl. 25) and Ukrainian dumplings (zl. 19) and four types of soup (zl. 10-15) kick things off.
The list of mains (zl. 32-zl. 69) covers fish, prawns, veal, venison, duck and chicken. Sadly, there is no basic steak offered. The Club does do vegetarian dishes (zl. 22-zl. 35) and salads (zl. 20-zl. 35).
Kiki wasn't drinking, and I was on the beer so wine didn't seem right, but I checked the list (zl. 35-zl. 350) just to see. There was nothing too exciting. The offerings were from the usual wine countries, but the prices seemed fair with most bottles going for zl. 60-zl. 80.
While enjoying some fresh bread and garlic butter, Kiki and I agreed that the place was making a decent attempt at an old-dining/dance club. It was almost rich with bow-tied waiters and the pleasant air of Eric Clapton playing on CD, all moody and blue. But it still wouldn't have been hip enough for Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin or the rest of the Rat Pack. Well, perhaps after a few martinis anything is hip.
Kiki's massive plate of tomato and mozzarella (zl. 25) and my "old Polish baked potato" (zl. 15) arrived. Her salad consisted of ripe red tomatoes and fresh, wet mozzarella under loads of pesto. She was indeed pleased.
My dish was made up of cubes of boiled potatoes baked with oil, garlic and other seasonings. It was quite tasty, though I was expecting something more grand.
When our main courses arrived, you could see the care and style put into the presentation. Kiki's paprika chicken (zl. 32) was sliced and fanned out around a pond of sauce with veggies dropped carefully here and there. A mold of rice stood at the center of my plate of sole (zl. 55).
The chef has a good eye. And he can cook, too. The chicken was moist, the sole flaky and the vegetables perfect. Both of our dishes were served with cheese sauces that were flavorful and different. Our only complaint was that the menu failed to mention these cheese sauces, or any sauce for that matter. But thankfully, they were good.
After dinner I got the feeling that the management was on to yours truly. Maybe my note taking had tipped them off. Whatever the case, we were served two glasses of sweet port and some coffee cake on the house. It was a nice touch and I hope everyone would get such treatment.
The bill came to zl. 169 ($46.95) without tip. Coffee was included as well as two beers and loads of water. I thought it was a pretty good price, though, I'm sure we could have easily spent more without thinking.
So, overall, Planet Music Club seems to be putting the restaurant first and the dancing second, at an OK price. They might just be a decent dinner/ dance club. I think I'll even throw on a jacket and tie, go back after nine one weekend night and watch the younger folks boogie opposite my martini glass.
When Kiki and I walked up in casual street clothes, I thought the bouncer wasn't going to let us pass the entrance. He just looked at us sort of mean-like and didn't say a word. I hope this is their full-time, open-door policy and not a grace period until the place becomes known. The last thing we need is a new self-important establishment in this city. But we could use a few more smiling, thinking bouncers.
We strolled past the wooden outdoor tables and the slick, small bar inside to descend into the main dining/dance room with three bars. It was dim with yellowish, indirect lighting and two-tone blue walls and ceiling. I have to say it was cool, modern and almost elegant - a good try at the very least. Just remember it is a music club (whatever that means) and not a rock 'n roll joint. Forget the leather and guitars on the walls and the spilled Jack Daniels.
Nobody was there to seat us, so we wandered a bit before taking a table between the massive brick columns opposite a small stage. This spot could serve as a short perch on weekend nights when the lower level of the dining room transforms itself into a disco.
Our waiter seemed a bit nervous when he delivered our drinks. I, in turn, thought zl. 9 for a large Zywiec was bad for my nerves. But we were both fine in the end. I just got the feeling that their service style hadn't figured itself out yet. We got something between formal and friendly.
The menu is short and European. There are no hip names referring to any sort of music. Hot and cold starters (zl. 14-zl. 85) such as black caviar (zl. 85), carpaccio with capers (zl. 25) and Ukrainian dumplings (zl. 19) and four types of soup (zl. 10-15) kick things off.
The list of mains (zl. 32-zl. 69) covers fish, prawns, veal, venison, duck and chicken. Sadly, there is no basic steak offered. The Club does do vegetarian dishes (zl. 22-zl. 35) and salads (zl. 20-zl. 35).
Kiki wasn't drinking, and I was on the beer so wine didn't seem right, but I checked the list (zl. 35-zl. 350) just to see. There was nothing too exciting. The offerings were from the usual wine countries, but the prices seemed fair with most bottles going for zl. 60-zl. 80.
While enjoying some fresh bread and garlic butter, Kiki and I agreed that the place was making a decent attempt at an old-dining/dance club. It was almost rich with bow-tied waiters and the pleasant air of Eric Clapton playing on CD, all moody and blue. But it still wouldn't have been hip enough for Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin or the rest of the Rat Pack. Well, perhaps after a few martinis anything is hip.
Kiki's massive plate of tomato and mozzarella (zl. 25) and my "old Polish baked potato" (zl. 15) arrived. Her salad consisted of ripe red tomatoes and fresh, wet mozzarella under loads of pesto. She was indeed pleased.
My dish was made up of cubes of boiled potatoes baked with oil, garlic and other seasonings. It was quite tasty, though I was expecting something more grand.
When our main courses arrived, you could see the care and style put into the presentation. Kiki's paprika chicken (zl. 32) was sliced and fanned out around a pond of sauce with veggies dropped carefully here and there. A mold of rice stood at the center of my plate of sole (zl. 55).
The chef has a good eye. And he can cook, too. The chicken was moist, the sole flaky and the vegetables perfect. Both of our dishes were served with cheese sauces that were flavorful and different. Our only complaint was that the menu failed to mention these cheese sauces, or any sauce for that matter. But thankfully, they were good.
After dinner I got the feeling that the management was on to yours truly. Maybe my note taking had tipped them off. Whatever the case, we were served two glasses of sweet port and some coffee cake on the house. It was a nice touch and I hope everyone would get such treatment.
The bill came to zl. 169 ($46.95) without tip. Coffee was included as well as two beers and loads of water. I thought it was a pretty good price, though, I'm sure we could have easily spent more without thinking.
So, overall, Planet Music Club seems to be putting the restaurant first and the dancing second, at an OK price. They might just be a decent dinner/ dance club. I think I'll even throw on a jacket and tie, go back after nine one weekend night and watch the younger folks boogie opposite my martini glass.
