ul. Jezuicka 1/3
(Old Town Market Square)
022 635-3769
Open Mon-Sun 11:00-last guest

For us who have been living here long enough to consider ourselves locals, hanging out in the Old Town on everyday basis isn't a typical idea of fun. We show up there only once an year when a distant relative arrives to Warsaw, insisting on running the tourist trail and we cater to this foolish whim because "it's family." But don't get me wrong. It's not that we don't like the Old Town. It's just that this area of the city doesn't offer us that much, well, except for the tourists' hustle and bustle. But things have started to change lately.

Thumbs up for Jazzownia Liberalna, a place that seems to have it all - location, tasty chic fusion cuisine and prices that aren't mind-blowing. Kudos for the mushroom soup (zł.15) and the baked wild duck breast with cranberries (zł.35), despite the fact that it arrived a little dry, good wines and spirits. I particularly like the selection of wines from Chile, starting from zł.70 all the way up to zł.900 for the Petrus'96 Pomerol for big spenders. The summer garden is well-designed and comfortable. And last, but not least, Jazzownia has got a pretty attractive music offer. There's no end to the number of people who ask me about some good Jazz places and it's nice to have more to suggest to them than strictly Tygmont.

A few days out of the week, the DJ does his best combining funky tunes and jazz music, although the best bet are the concerts most Thursdays and Saturdays. I love the interior - well, most of it, besides the kitschy paintings on the wall. Somehow they've managed to get the downtown edgy mix of young professionals, arty people, journalists and students. Overall, the crowd is relaxed and this creates a pleasant ambiance.

One Friday evening I also noticed a large number of the usual Utopia and Tomba-Tomba suspects, meaning that gay-friendly is also another important feature of Jazzownia Liberalna. All in all, we have more good reasons to appear in the Old Town more often - even when you don't have a second cousin in town from Manchester, visiting for the first time. (MP)