Quale Restaurant — Restaurant in Łódź

Quale restaurant is now on my 'go again' list for Łódź. What a great dining experience at this art nouveau styled fine dining restaurant last night! With new places I often forego a main course in favour of several starters, so I can experience as much of the chef's variety as possible... without bursting. So here, the degustation menu with wine pairing suited me perfectly. Each course was beautifully crafted and imaginative (with the exception of the lamb, but as NZer with decades of lamb cooking and eating, I am probably super critical). Two plates were my personal favourites for their umami directness and subtle complexity: the Roe Deer Tartare (I'd swear I could taste the forest, and the lingering pepper notes were very satisfying), and the Octopus, chickpea and chilli puree flavours were a knockout. The Earl Grey Crème Brûlée was also a subtle stunner, especially when paired with a limited edition Blackthorn tincture by Nalevka Polska (bottle no.162/220). Next time I'll bring friends and we will try out Quale's whisky and cigar...

Il Ristorante “Quale” di Łódź è stata una delle esperienze gastronomiche più sorprendenti e raffinate che possa aver fatto negli ultimi anni. Ci sono stato giovedì 5 dicembre, durante un viaggio di lavoro, e devo ammettere che il livello raggiunto è davvero vicino a una stella Michelin. Ogni piatto, a partire dall'amuse-bouche, è stato una vera delizia: presentazioni impeccabili, quasi artistiche, e una cura straordinaria nell’armonia dei sapori. L'equilibrio tra tradizione e innovazione è il fil rouge dell’intero menù, con ingredienti di altissima qualità valorizzati da tecniche moderne e sapienti. Ogni portata è pensata e realizzata con una precisione che difficilmente lascia indifferenti. Un momento che ha reso il pranzo ancora più speciale è stato l’arrivo della giovane chef, che si è presentata al tavolo per spiegare i piatti: purtroppo, non mi sono subito reso conto che fosse lei, e quindi non ho avuto modo di approfondire la conversazione. Tuttavia, la passione e l’entusiasmo con cui ha descritto le proposte erano evidenti e hanno aggiunto un tocco autentico e personale all’esperienza. Anche il servizio è stato impeccabile: professionale, attento ai dettagli e mai invadente, contribuendo a rendere l’intero pranzo un vero piacere, dove ogni elemento si è incastrato perfettamente. Grazie per questa esperienza indimenticabile! Se dovessi tornare a Łódź, non mancherò di farvi visita ancora. Dai, dai, che ce la farete!

The “Quale” restaurant in Łódź was one of the most surprising and refined gastronomic experiences I have had in recent years. I was there on Thursday, December 5, during a business trip, and I must admit that the level achieved is really close to a Michelin star. Every dish, starting from the amuse-bouche, was a real delight: impeccable, almost artistic presentations, and extraordinary care in the harmony of flavors. The balance between tradition and innovation is the common thread of the entire menu, with top-quality ingredients enhanced by modern and expert techniques. Each course is conceived and created with a precision that hardly leaves anyone indifferent. A moment that made lunch even more special was the arrival of the young chef, who introduced herself at the table to explain the dishes: unfortunately, I didn't immediately realize it was her, and so I didn't have the opportunity to delve deeper into the conversation. However, the passion and enthusiasm with which he described the proposals were evident and added an authentic and personal touch to the experience. The service was also impeccable: professional, attentive to detail and never intrusive, helping to make the entire lunch a real pleasure, where every element fit together perfectly. Thank you for this unforgettable experience! If I ever return to Łódź, I will definitely visit you again. Come on, come on,...

The food was truly exceptional, but sadly our party arrived at a time that appeared to be inconvenient for the waitstaff and kitchen (an hour before closing on a Sunday). Only one main dish was on offer from the menu, which appealed to none of us. Our first waiter was very professional, but unfortunately he only lasted 5 minutes before being replaced by two other waitresses who appeared more interested in getting rid of us than ensuring we were looked after. Thoroughly recommend the Tuna and sesame appetisers, and the little linen bag of sliced table bread was delicious, crusty, nutty and...