Polish Club Ashfield — Restaurant in Sydney

New: No stranger to Polish Club/ Klub Polski Ashfield, I returned during this three clubs, three cultures adventure with friends to conquer the Sto Lat share platter for four ($202). Delivered to our table by none other than the club president, Ryszard Borysiewicz, it’s a room-stopping mountain of meat that inspired at least one other guest to photograph it. Realistically with two giant roasted pork knuckles, chicken and pork schnitzels, pork and veal cabbage rolls, veal rissoles, and two types of grilled Polish sausage (white kielbasa and kransky) there is more protein on this platter than four hungry people can handle. It comes with all the trimmings too: sauerkraut, braised red cabbage, coleslaw, sautéed potatoes with bacon and onion, mustards, and a jug of pork jus.

A two-buck membership here will knock ten per cent off all these prices too, including the booze and they have more than forty different Polish vodkas to cut your teeth on. This Polish Club has been running since 1967 with a flashy rebuild completed in late 2023 that still looks shiny and new. If you intend to dine at Sto Lat I advise you to make a booking particularly on Friday or Saturday nights. This is a popular club restaurant with the type of stick-to-your-ribs food that gets progressively more attractive as Sydney’s weather cools.

Old: Three weeks after the late completion of their whole building renovation, Sto Lat, at the Polish Club/ Klub Polski Ashfield, is cooking at the top of its game. This complete rebuild, said to have cost something in the tune of $72 million, sees the now ground-floor club topped by 88 apartments. It’s a new beginning for a club that has served Sydney’s Polish community and their supporters since 1967. Taking them through the next fifty-odd years the new space boasts a larger restaurant, private dining room, community space, a well-equipped bar and a cafe-deli where you can still buy their famous pierogi after eating them in-house.

And you should eat Poland’s famous dumplings, a quartet stuffed with Angus beef and onions ($17.50) come in silky skins dotted with caramelised onions. They’re teamed with white cabbage, beetroot and ‘slaw, and a little pot of sour cream. I was sad to find my favourite potato and farmers’ cheese sold out in the deli for another week. There’s an eye to improved presentation across all the menu items, including the equally beloved potato pancakes ($24). They’re served pan-fried with the same salads and, if you’re smart, a jug of their savoury mushroom sauce ($4). The celebration of the spud continues in a glossy pat of creamy potato mash with the knife-crowned roasted pork knuckle ($44). With crisp crackling, and sauerkraut to cut the fat, it has enough meat to be shared among multiple people.

Do not forget to include the greatest potato-product of them all: Vodka Nidzicka Ziemniaczana ($14.80). I found it much smoother than the rye version Vodka Nidzicka Zytnia ($14.80). Wash it down with the on-tap Albo pale ale ($9.20/schooner) for a peak Inner West experience. For a liquid dessert, get stuck into the flavoured vodkas. There’s a soft creaminess to the pale green Krupnik Pistacja ($8) made using pistachios. Fruit-flavoured options, like Soplica Malinowa ($8.80) and Soplica Mirabelkowa ($8.80)—raspberry and mirabelle plum—were a bit too cough syrup for me. Joining Klub Polski for the princely sum of two bucks will knock 10 per cent off all of these...

I had heard very positive things about the Polich Club, and if I'm being honest, I wasn't expecting to be blown away. However, my experience there exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere that immediately made me feel at ease. The club has a cozy ambience, with comfortable seating and tasteful decor that creates the perfect setting for an enjoyable meal. The food was truly amazing, starting with the generous portion sizes that ensure you leave satisfied. Every dish is crafted with care, and the attention to detail is evident in each bite. The menu offers great value for money, allowing you to indulge in high-quality dishes without breaking the bank.

The staff at the Polich Club are exceptionally welcoming and helpful. They provide excellent service, always ready to assist with menu recommendations or accommodate special requests, enhancing the overall dining experience.

One of the standout dishes that I highly recommend is the veal, pork, and onion pierogi. These dumplings are perfectly cooked, with a deliciously savory filling that embodies authentic flavors. Another must-try item is the langos bread, a traditional delight that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, perfect for accompanying any meal.

In summary, the Polich Club is a hidden gem that deserves all the praise it receives. Whether you're a local or just visiting, it's a place you shouldn't miss. The combination of excellent food, a welcoming environment, and attentive service makes it a dining experience...

Finally got around to eating out here for my partners birthday after it being shut for so long remodelling. I don't find the atmosphere or the staff very welcoming. There was a long wait for everything we ordered from drinks to mains.

After 20 minutes or longer we had to call out and remind them to bring our drinks.

Entrees were brought to the table spaced out so that we weren't able to enjoy them all hot at the same time.

2 of us ordered the sausages for mains and they were overcooked and dry. The accompaniments on the plate were also different from plate to plate... mustard, slaw and sauerkraut on one and mushroom gravy, sauerkraut and a beet salad on the other.

It appeared there was multiple miscommunications between the wait staff as we asked about when our entrees would be delivered and one said that our mains are on the way when we hadn't even ordered them yet.

After a few hiccups I believe the wait staff perceived us as fussy and difficult customers and their service quickly became abrupt and cold from then on.

After finishing our main meals, we had another drink as we awaited our dessert. It was close to closing time for the restaurant and we decided to just ask for the bill rather than persist and worry about frustrating the staff further by requesting to have desserts brought to the table that we had ordered.

Upon departure the manager did his best to rectify our issues once they were brought to his attention but unfortunately the overall experience was very...