Yet another food blog

A new mall called Serenada was opened around a month ago here in Krakow.

And there we have an interesting restaurant opened by Italians, owners of Osteria le Logge restaurant in Siena.

It's called simply Cucina Aperta.

I was quite suspisious - one usually wouldn't expect anything good from the mall restaurants, but I still decided to drop by. And I wasn't disappointed - already been there 4 times since the opening

The first impression wasn't very good - the waiters were kind of confused, slow and not really competent. Basically what you would expect in a Polish mall.

But then suddenly this Italian lady appeared and saved the day right away - she was so nice, smiling, smalltalking to the visitors in the mix of Italian and English, helped with the waiters' mistakes, she literally radiated hospitality and professinalism. These things I'm always missing after visiting Italy.

So they are currently training the local staff, and I dare to say that you must visit the place before they left for Sienna, when, I'm afraid, Cucina Aperta will turn into yet another krakovian "kinda-Italian kinda-restaurant".

But as of yet, this is a nice place to eat some Italian food.

Beef tartar - really one of the best in town (if not actually the best), very tasty (35zl):

Penne alla carbonara with horseradish and dried bananas (25zl). I think dried bananas do not really belong here, but it was tasty

As you can see, the portions are quite small as for Poland, so that I would expect the locals complain about it ;) As for me, after their antipasto and a (first or second - Italian style) plate I felt perfectly satiated.

The fourth time at Cucina Aperta we were also offered free samplings of the new additions to the menu - red Ventolaio from Montalcino and chardonnay from Rocca San Giovanni - both very good and more than modestly priced (60zl/bottle)

Conclusion: Very good moderately priced Italian restaurant (at least as long as the Italian chief and the hostess are there), highly recommended

 

Cucina Aperta

CH Serenada

al. Bora-Komorowskiego 41

 

Restaurant "Pod Nosem" on Kanonicza street is located pretty much in the shade of Wawel castle in the very center of Krakow.

It leans on the expensive (but fortunately not pretentious) side, has a small menu (which is a promising feature) and tables outside with the view of the castle.

Despite being located in the center, Kanonicza is not as flooded with tourists as the neighboring Grodzka street, and is a nice location to have a dinner.

So, let's go

The waitress was very nice, we didn't have to wait long for our orders.

Sorry for the photos quality ;) I also don't remember the exact prices, and they seem to have a different menu on their site

 

* Some pâte with bread and butter as a starter(free)

* Soup with chanterelles - tasty and good, with some sour cream (around 25zl)

 

* Pork cheeks with mashed potatoes and fried cabbage (around 45zl)

 

* Cod filet with groats and crayfish sauce (around 50zl)

 

* Aperol spritz (26zl)

* Water (16zl)

 

Overall: Great location, good, tasty food, nice service, highly recommended (for the price)

 

Pod Nosem

Kanonicza 22