Tatra

With a Polish/Ukrainian grandmother, I am quite familiar with hearty goodness of home cooked Slavic food. A group visit to Tatra was a wonderful occasion combining the best of nostalgia for those comforting dishes with the sophistication and execution of fine contemporary dining.

From the starters of Barszcz/Borscht and Blinis to the dumpling family of Pierogi, Leniwe and Pelmeni, we were delighted with the flavours, presentation and portion size.

The main courses took things up a notch, transforming as if by alchemy the traditional stodge of holobchi, potato pancakes, goulash and more dumplings to something refined and with layers of subtle flavours and spices. The meat and fish dishes were likewise seasoned and cooked excellently, and presented with simplicity and elegance.

Service was somewhat slow, despite the place not being very busy. But the waiter/host/bartender was friendly and helpful with any requests we made. Prices were not cheap, but there are set menus and other offers which help significantly.

A wonderful place to bring people to if you are wanting to introduce their palates to high quality Polish and Slavic food.
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- View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Encouraged by the excellent reviews, I had chosen Tatra to introduce friends to Polish cuisine. And what a disappointment! Despite reservation 3 weeks in advance, the table wasn't ready for us, we had to wait for another party to leave. Other then that the service was good.

The only dish that was actually fresh was the herring salad and crumble on the apple and rhubarb crumble. Everything else was definitely prepared in advanced, frozen and reheated - including pierogi!

In both duck and pork shank, meat was very dry and very unpleasant to eat. Dumplings accompanying the duck were burned to the point that they were not edible. Seriously - nothing was fresh there (not even the cabbage side dishes!) - not tasty, really not nice to eat; in fact we haven't finished the main courses.

Cream brule and crumble were OK, however cheesecake clearly wasn't as both portions went back to the kitchen only half eaten.

This was an important dinner for me and I deeply regret choosing Tatra.

Perhaps the food was nice and fresh there in the past - not anymore!

Very, very poor quality of food.
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kat - View all reviews by this user
3 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Sunday, December 18, 2011

I went to Tatra at lunch time and there were not many covers taken. However, excellent service combined with very well presented food. For starters, we shared selection blini and Russian dumplings. For main, I had duck leg - very crispy and nicely seasoned, and my friend had pork shank with the most amazing flavour. A very different menu and, a huge range of tasty vodkas one worth going back to explore. A very good choice of wines reasonably priced. I would recommend.
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Thomas Shawley
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, July 31, 2011

Tatra restaurant hosted my birthday party of 25 people. First time there and very impressed. The staff were without exception friendly, welcoming and efficient. Started with a vodka shot (excellent). Both starters (pirogi)and main courses(gulash) were excellently cooked and fine for portion size. it was absolutely wonderful. Service and food was great . I recommend to anyone who want's to experience Eastern European food and drinks..
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Guy
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Me and my 6 best friends went to tatra on friday, everyting excellent. The decor and atmosphere was absolutely fantastic. the food was presented so uniquely and the tastes were out of this world.The Pierogi and Beef Gulash was an award winning combination, this is the best Polish restaurant we have ever been to. I will be back!!! and so will my friends!!!!
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Anthony Woodason
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 21, 2009

Wanted a new Polish restaurant to try and found this gem. Saturday lunch could have been a quiet period on the Goldhawk Road. But the restaurant was buzzy with a great mix of friends and family simply having a good time. The food is fantastic. Great plates of hearty food but with subtle flavours as well. The goulash was fabulous, the pear vodka sublime. Vanilla ice cream floating in strawberry puree a lovely way to end such a meal. We were initially worried taking an older generation of Poles to a modern Polish restaurant. Would the bigos be good etc etc? Answer - they loved it.
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M+J
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, May 09, 2009