WROCŁAW - In Your Pocket

42 RESTAURANTS
Ohh! Sushi C-3, Pl. Dominikański 3 (Galeria
Dominikańska, level 0), tel. (+48) 71 330 65 40. One
of Poland’s better sushi chains, Ohh! Sushi continues to
surprise shoppers by providing exceptionally authentic,
fresh food in one of the last places you would expect it: a
shopping mall. Incredibly popular as a take-away spot, that
less energy has been put into the design of the interior than
the quality of the food should hardly concern anyone’s stomach.
With the endorsement of plenty of Asian clients at the
tables each time we drop by, Ohh! Sushi is not only up there
with the city’s best Japanese, it’s the best value in Wrocław
for this elsewhere over-priced food fad. Another location in
Magnolia Park (ul. Legnicka 58). QOpen 09:30 - 21:00, Sun
10:00 - 20:00. (15-60zł). PTAUGSW
Sakana A-2, ul. Odrzańska 17/1a, tel. (+48) 71 343 37
10, www.sakana.pl. Arguably regarded as the best sushi
in the capital, the Sakana team have expanded to cover
Wrocław and the natives appear to be loving it. Expertly
prepared raw fish floats by on small boats inside a pleasant
white interior decorated sparingly with bamboo bits and
bobs. Definitely one of the addresses to be seen dining
in, as proved by the crowds of fashionista who prop up the
bar. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Sun 13:00 - 22:00. (30-80zł).
PTA6VGSW
Sushi 77 B-2, ul. Nożownicza 1c, tel. (+48) 71 341
72 71, www.sushi77.com. Setting up shop directly
across from Sakana, the arrival of Sushi 77 doesn’t set off
a turf war as much as establish a veritable sushi district in
Wrocław. While no one has ever accused Sakana of being
anything less than excellent, Sushi 77 can go toe-to-toe
with a haughty reputation of its own as one of the bestregarded
Japanese restaurants serving edible art crafted
in front of you by skilled fish-flayers. Priding themselves
on their guarded rice preparation recipe, 77 knows sushi
and expects you to as well, not letting anyone off the hook
with spring rolls or noodles. It’s an expert effort, as the
new neighbours prove they can easily wax off whatever
Sakana waxes on across the street. Ying-yang, baby. Also
at ul. Powstańców Śląskich 2/4 (Arkady Wrocławskie; E-6)
and Pl. Grunwaldzki 22 (Pasaż Grunwaldzki, H-4). QOpen
12:00 - 22:30. (19-54zł). PTAGSW
Szajnochy 11 A-3, ul. Szajnochy 11, tel. (+48) 71
342 30 62. Sushi chefs work in plain view behind the canal
bar, foregoing formal pretences with chatty camaraderie,
as prepared sushi rolls float by ready to be plucked onto
the plates of patrons. That’s not to say these gents don’t
know what they’re doing - our nigiri and futomaki rolls were
as good (and as fresh) as any we’ve had anywhere, and it’s
certainly refreshing to see a bit of lightheartedness applied to
something as achingly serious as sushi has been ever since it
left Japan. Decor is minimal but on the mark with white walls
and dark wood furnishings, and like many other local places,
it pays to appear during lunch (served until 15:00) for bargain
priced sushi sets, which - as you might expect - can get quite
expensive otherwise. Overall: simple, authentic and, most
of all, friendly. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Sun 12:00 - 22:00.
(30-60zł). PTA6GBSW
Jewish
Sarah E-4, ul. Włodkowica 5, tel. (+48) 71 792 49
56, www.sarah.wroclaw.pl. Located near the White
Stork Synagogue and Jewish Community Centre, this is
Wrocław’s only Jewish restaurant. With plenty of atmosphere
thanks to earthy colours, menorah candlelight
and loads of antiques, Sarah is reminiscent of the cafes
found in Kraków’s old Jewish district and teams with
Wrocław In Your Pocket wroclaw.inyourpocket.com
Mleczarnia to create one of the best beer gardens in the
city (note that this is only open in warmer months). The
budget menu is not kosher, but features traditional Jewish
dishes, and though reports of their quality and that of
the service is a little uneven, this is still a great place to
spend time in our opinion. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00. (12-37zł).
PA6UGBS
Latin American
NEW
Casa Latina B-2, ul. Więzienna 5b, tel. (+48) 794
34 54 43. This funky, colourful Tex-Mex eatery makes
plenty of bold moves with the interior decor - some of
them brilliant, like the bright, quilted booths and organic
graphic art on the walls; some of them not so, like the
large portraits of women superimposed with random
patterns and maps, and the repetitive club music (make
it stop!). The menu is both a familiar, refreshing and in the
end satisfactory attempt at dishes ranging from burritos
to empanadas, and the prices are perfectly fair. Daily
lunch specials make them even better, and the playful
atmosphere makes Casa Latina a good place to stop for
a pre-party fuel-up. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Sun 12:00 -
22:00. (17-38zł). PTA6GSW
Mediterranean
La Maddalena E-4, ul. Włodkowica 9, tel. (+48) 71
782 60 90, www.lamaddalena.pl. With a great location
next to the Mleczarnia beer garden, and including seasonal
outdoor seating overlooking the White Stork Synagogue,
La Maddelena offers upscale dining in Wrocław’s former
Jewish, currently hipster district. The creme-coloured,
conservatively elegant interior includes homely touches
like wicker lampshades and quilted seat covers, and can
accommodate large groups as well as couples looking
for a more intimate date destination. An enticing menu of
Mediterranean dishes, ranging from light tapas to expertly
prepared pastas, makes the art of deciding a challenge and
with the big emphasis on presentation you may be tempted
to take out your camera when they arrive. Portions are small
but delicious. QOpen 12:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat 12:00 - 23:00.
(31-74zł). PTAUGBSW
Restauracja Acquario A-4, ul. Heleny Modrzejewskiej
2 (Monopol Hotel), tel. (+48) 71 772 37 80, www.
monopolwroclaw.hotel.com.pl. The upscale restaurant on
the rooftop terrace of the legendary Hotel Monopol, Acquario
offers an enticing card of Mediterranean entrees with a
special flair for seafood, but if you’re anything like us you’ll
be just as interested in the wine card. With a world-class list
on hand, there’s no better way to relax than with a bottle of
red enjoying the fabulous views over Wrocław through rosetinted
glasses. QOpen 18:00 - 23:00, Fri, Sat 18:00 - 24:00.
(76-89zł). PTAUGW
Splendido A-5, ul. Świdnicka 53, tel. (+48) 71 344 77
77, www.splendido.pl. An old timer that’s been impressing
us ever since we first bowled into town nearly a decade back.
Cutting edge it isn’t, but if you’re after top notch Mediterranean
eats then you can’t go far wrong. Only a Bolivian
drug lord would enjoy the excessive interiors, but there’s no
faulting choices like the lamb haunch or Dover sole. QOpen
13:00 - 22:00. (47-83zł). PTA6UIEGS
www.inyourpocket.com
wroclaw.inyourpocket.com
RESTAURANTS
The best Latin cuisine dishes
in combination with the excellent
European cuisine standards
September - December 2012
43