Polish Passion: Borsch Vodka & Tears

It was a cold and very wintery Wednesday evening, and my brother’s name popped up on the display screen of my mobile. “Get dressed I’m picking you up. We’re going out for dinner.” What a treat! I had the choice of three restaurants; Armanos (which I know very well, and although they make great pizzas I was keen to venture a little further away from my home town), La Roche or a small and inviting  Polish Vodka bar located in Prahran on Chapel St;  Borsch, Vodka and Tears. I chose the latter. Upon arrival we were greeted and seated and handed an extensive drinks list, consisting of every kind of Vodka drink under the sun.

Try the ‘Green Faery’ for an extra kick J

The atmosphere was that of a typical Polish hub, a warm little hideaway, somewhere out in the country where milkmaids still exist and bikes with baskets are prominent. A gypsy couple stole the centre of the restaurant and on accordion and guitar belted out some true-to-home tunes.

As the menu boasted so many typical Polish dishes, I was intrigued to try but all of them. For entre my table and I shared gołąbki (cabbage leaf stuffed with veal, rice and vegetables served with light tomato sauce), Bigos (traditional hunter’s sauerkraut and smoked meat stew served with rye bread) and kopytka (pan-fried polish gnocchi served with a wild mushroom ragout..YUM!) All of which were simply delicious! The authenticity was amazing, and the flavours so complimenting of each other. Who would have thought that a few simple ingredients, along with a super-styln’ chef would create such an amazing flavour experience in your mouth!

A few more vodkas later, we were ready to order our main meals. Now if anyone reading this is of Polish heritage, they would understand the deep connection us Pols have with a traditional dish called Pierogi. Now Pierogi are a typical Polish dish of dumplings with a choice of fillings;

• beef, chicken, herbs and spices with a paprika meat sauce
• porcini mushroom and sauerkraut with a breadcrumb coating
• cheese and potato with fried onion and sour cream

I would even advise the cheese and potato dumplings to the queen!

Our belly’s too full for desert; we embraced the cultural atmosphere a little longer and managed to almost roll to the car.

All in all, it was a very pleasant experience. I left Borsch, Vodka and Tears very pleased, and with the intention of soon returning. Highly recommended and only a short stroll away from our Caroline Serviced Apartments South Yarra property!