CITY Issue 54

Living the Good Life in the Big City CITY INSIDER: WARSAW INSIDER TIPS: • The VISTULA RIVER runs through the city. While the main sights are on the left bank, the right bank has its own burgeoning scene, especially in the newly gentrified Praga neighborhood. • Poland is home to a huge AMBER industry—pick up unusual pieces of the fossil resin in Warsaw’s shops and markets. Pole of Attraction On the surface, Warsaw doesn’t have the charm of the trendier eastern European cities, but today the Polish capital has an increasing number of rival-worthy spots. Though the city’s hip edge isn’t obvious, look beneath the post–Eastern Bloc façade and you’ll discover stylish bars, restaurants, shops, and a couple of Bohemian cafés that prove Warsaw has its own charm after all. Plus, we guarantee you’ll bond with wryhumored locals over a chilled shot of Chopin vodka. By Pameladevi Govinda LOGISTICS: AIRPORT: Warsaw Frederic Chopin Airport POPULATION: 1,702,100 WHEN TO GO: April to October CURRENCY: 1 zloty = $0.40 MUST SEE It’ll depress the hell out of you but you can’t miss the WARSAW RISING MUSEUM (ul. Grzybowska 79, www.1944.pl). It’s a glimpse into the city’s tragic past and will help any visitor better understand the city today. Then, take a walk through Warsaw’s OLD TOWN. After complete devastation during World War II, Old Town was rebuilt using as many of the same bricks and found objects as possible. Replicas of the old buildings were based on the paintings of Bernardo Bellotto. SHOP HERE: Covet a one-of-a-kind purse at BATYCKI (ul. Zgoda 9, www. batycki.pl), where owner and designer Bozena Batycka creates artisan leather bags, each studded with her signature—a single bead of amber. View and buy art at GALERIA FIBAK (ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie Street 5, www.galeriafibak.com. pl), owned by former tennis pro Wojtek Fibak. Here you’ll find modern art from Polish names such as Wojciech Fangor and Raquel Gralheiro. Skin need some love? Nab holistic skincare lines at modern day apothecary and spa GALILU (ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 13, www.galilu.pl). On a quiet cobblestone block at the edge of Old Town, HOTEL LE REGINA (ul. Koscielna 12, www.leregina.com) offers understated luxury with modern amenities, including free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and a spa. The boutique habitat creates a serene vibe with its mellow, earthy tones and dark wood accents. The service is also old-world excellent while the full breakfast, loaded with local specialties, is a treat. EAT AND DRINK HERE: STAY HERE: Milk bars are bare-bones, working-class eateries that came about during Poland’s Communist era. They don’t serve booze but they’re still a quintessential Polish experience. Tuck into a steaming plate of bigos (cabbage and meat) or pierogies at BAR MLECZNY FAMILIJNY (ul. Nowy Swiat 39). For upscale nosh, try U KUCHARZY (ul. Ossolinskich 7, www.gessler.pl); the restaurant’s name means “The Chefs” and refers to the 20-plus cooks in the grand, open kitchen. The menu consists of modern fare and traditional Polish eats—order the beef tartare, pickled herrings, and the sour soup. KOM (ul. Zielna 37, www.komunikat.net.pl) is a barrestaurant so internationally stylish you’ll think you’re in downtown New York. The globally raised owner pays homage to his Polish roots in architectural details, like the bar (above) constructed from Polish salt mine bricks. For old-world glamour head to the Art Deco COLUMN BAR at Le Royal Meridien Bristol (ul. Krakowskie Przedmiescie 42/44, www.bristol.polhotels.com), or hobnob with the city’s artsy and model types at MIEDZY NAMI (ul. Ulica Bracka 20, www.miedzynamicafe.com). CITY 53 http://www.1944.pl http://www.galeriafibak.com.pl http://www.galeriafibak.com.pl http://www.galilu.pl http://www.gessler.pl http://www.leregina.com http://www.komunikat.net.pl http://www.bristol.polhotels.com http://www.miedzynamicafe.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of CITY Issue 54

CITY Issue 54 Contents Letter from CITY Our Friends Action Wanted City Moment The City Life The Amused Bouche On the Rocks Fast Food City Insider: Austin Fit How We Live: The Bedroom City Insider: Warsaw In Rogue The Value of Vintage Taking the Plunge Raising the Bar The Science of Scent Changing of the Guard The New Fashion Cities A Cut Above Chrysalis What Dreams May Come Dawn & Dusk Will o' the Wisp Where To Buy It Socials Icon

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