Gessler we Francuskim

Perfectly balanced Polish classics
Word to the wise: The two course set menu – usually a soup with dumplings followed by a traditional Polish dessert – is exceptionally good value at PLN 20.

Popular plate: Feeling adventurous? Try the the veal cutlets Artur Rubinstein. Named after the legendary Polish concert pianist, they're accompanied by creamy veal brain.
This latest addition to Krakow's restaurant scene, housed in the elegant Hotel Francuski, has collected ecstatic reviews since opening in late 2011 - even from the notoriously hard-to-impress food critics in Warsaw.

Established by restaurateur and TV chef Adam Gessler, it specializes in traditional Polish dishes, deftly executed and beautifully presented. Think wild mushroom soup with noodles, carp fillet fried in butter and fantastic cakes. The stark decor and formal service don't make for a homely atmosphere, but that's a minor niggle; Gessler has created Krakow's first real destination restaurant, perfect for a romantic meal or celebration.