Ognisko Polskie

Housed in the grand expanses of the Polish Club, this stately restaurant’s royal-blue carpet, marble pillars & church-hall chairs bear any signs of wear-&-tear with typical Eastern-bloc stoicism. Pastel drawings of Polish dignitaries & the Duke of Kent (the club’s benefactor) line the salmon-pink walls, alluding to the restaurant’s patriotic, 70-year history – although today’s punters are more likely to be adventurous tourists & brainy types from the nearby museums & universities. The menu mixes Polish nationalism with a broader world view, so expect anything from pierogi dumplings, chicken Kiev & blinis with smoked salmon to artichoke & asparagus salad, prawn bruschette or skewers of chicken shashlik on couscous. It’s very reminiscent of provincial function rooms in the 1980s, although the place still finds favour – perhaps because of the beautiful terrace overlooking Prince’s Gardens.