MNISZE CO NIECO – SUNNY AFTERNOON IN TYNIEC

Tyniec is a perfect place for a lazy afternoon in the countryside. The Benedictine abbey in Tyniec is a popular religious and recreation centre on the outskirts of Kraków. Besides church services conducted by the monks, spiritual nourishment can be found in the Museum of the Tyniec Abbey, which houses a rich collection of sacred art. Art lovers can admire the baroque interior of the abbey church, especially an interesting pulpit in the shape of a ship. And if after visiting the abbey you become peckish, you should drop by the nearby restaurant, Mnisze Co Nieco (which means Monks' Smackerel of Something).

The entrance to the restaurant is located in one of the stone gates leading into the abbey courtyard. An austere decor of the two small rooms resembles a refectory: bare brick walls hung with images of saints and monks, wooden tables without tablecloths and quite uncomfortable benches without backs. Shelves on the walls are decorated with preserves in jars and clay bottles with mead.

 

The names of the dishes also reflect the monastic character of the restaurant: St Placid's żurek (sour rye soup), Father Abbot's delicacy or St Marta's chocolate cake with cherry preserve. We ordered nuns' pierogi (dumplings, PLN 12) and Oblates' small feast, i.e. placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes) with sour cream (PLN 12). Pierogi were delicious, especially the ones with sauerkraut and forest mushrooms. Placki ziemniaczane were also good but I had an impression that the oil in which they were fried wasn't quite fresh. Nevertheless, the dishes served in the restaurant agreed with my stomach, which is a sign of a good quality of the food.

 

Tyniec can be reached by car or bus, but the most pleasant way to get there is a bike path along the Vistula river. At sunny weekends, the path is packed with bikers, skaters and strollers, enjoying beautiful views and fresh air. In the summer, you can also travel to the abbey by water bus or kayak. Tyniec and Misze Co Nieco are an excellent destination for a weekend with nature, culture and good food.

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Address: ul. Benedyktyńska 37, Tyniec, Kraków
Website: www.benedicite.pl

AQUARIUS – SEA ADVENTURE

I've been always fascinated by the life at sea: water, wind, and fresh fish. Aquarius Restaurant, located on a barge moored on the Vistula River near the Wawel Castle, can be a substitute for a sea adventure.

After walking along the rickety gangway and entering the barge, you can see some maritime elements: portholes, a fish aquarium and chairs with rope backs (alas, not very comfortable). The pleasant music playing in the background ranges from chillout to pop, but I think that shanties would be more suitable for the boat restaurant. Tables near the windows give a lovely view of the river and the Wawel Hill.

Inspired by the restaurant’s atmosphere, I ordered fish soup (PLN 18), which unfortunately turned out to be very salty. However, żurek (sour rye soup) served with a boiled egg (PLN 11), was very nutritious and tasty. Last year, I ordered here fried trout, which was really delicious, so it's a pity that it has disappeared from the menu. Especially that at the moment the restaurant offers very few fish dishes. 

I feel that since last year the quality of food has lowered while the prices have risen. Fortunately, the fine view and pleasant atmosphere haven't changed. The restaurant is open all year and in the summer there are additional tables on the upper deck. The staff are very obliging. Aquarius is a good place for an unusual date or for a break during a stroll along the Vistula River. But it's too bad that the restaurant doesn't offer more fish dishes at reasonable prices so that you could feel the real taste of the sea adventure.

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Address: bulwar Czerwieński, the Vistula River between the Wawel Hill and most Dębnicki (Dębnicki Bridge)

Website: aquariuskrakow.pl