ZAZIE Bistro — Restaurant in Krakow

I am utterly perplexed as to how Zazie Bistro made it into the Michelin Guide Poland 2024. If this represents Michelin-level gastronomy, I dread to think what other establishments have been included.

Onion soup with red wine and mashed potatoes with Gruyere cheese – an absolute disaster. Instead of a rich and flavorful French onion soup, I was served a wine-based broth with barely a hint of onion and some mashed potatoes that had simply been thrown in and torched. The Gruyere was almost nonexistent, but when it did make an appearance towards the end, the combination with the wine broth triggered my gag reflex. I have never had anything worse in my life. Additionally, the portion size is completely inappropriate for a starter. It was a full-sized deep bowl of soup, which does not fit the concept of a pre-main-course appetizer.

Crayfish bisque with snails and dried capers – a small but decent portion for a starter. However, in my opinion, this dish should be moved to the soup section and served in a full portion.

We ordered a side of mashed potatoes because the waiter told us that the main dishes do not come with any sides and that the portions would be too small to be satisfying on their own. When the mashed potatoes arrived, they were plain and underwhelming—no croutons, no caramelized onions as we had expected. Instead, they were sprinkled with chives and an unidentified hard, flavorless topping that resembled brown sugar but had absolutely no taste. For a place listed in the Michelin Guide, this lack of attention to detail was truly disappointing.

Beef rib with pepper sauce, lettuce, and green peas – one of the few edible dishes. The meat was tender and flavorful. However, there were far too many whole peppercorns, which overwhelmed the dish.

Sirloin steak with milk garlic, green pea hollandaise sauce with roasted pepper, roasted shallots, and salted butter – a complete disappointment: • Nobody asked how I wanted my steak cooked. • It was served already cut into large chunks (why?). • The doneness was inconsistent – one side was well done, while the other was rare. • The pepper sauce was a disaster. The whole peppercorns were completely tasteless, yet they were excessively abundant, making the sauce unpleasant. They should have either been removed or properly infused into the sauce. • The green peas were completely lost—I couldn’t taste them at all. • The meat was tough and sinewy, which is highly unusual for a cut that is supposed to be tenderloin.

Water for 12 PLN – a carafe of plain tap water with no additions (no lemon, no ice)—seriously?

Service While the waitstaff were efficient, there were several off-putting aspects: • A staff member, possibly the owner or manager, stood near the bar for an extended period, loudly chatting and laughing with the bartender and a waiter. • When we were leaving, another staff member replaced her, seemingly there not to work but to socialize and have a meal behind the bar.

Atmosphere For a Michelin-listed restaurant, I found it extremely odd that we were able to pick any table we liked during peak hours, and in the 1.5 hours we spent there, only two other guests arrived. That alone speaks volumes.

This restaurant left a terrible impression. I would never recommend it and will...

A deeply overpriced experience, sad to see how far this place has fallen.

We arrived for our reservation and were shown to a table shoved awkwardly in a window alcove. Fortunately they moved us on request, but it's almost funny that a place with such prices and prestige would even offer such a cramped space.

The starter of a phyllo pastry encased goats cheese was good, as was the alcohol free cocktail, which had a lovely kick that made it feel like a proper, grown up drink. The house wine was very drinkable and well chosen. All good so far.

Then our mains arrived - my partner's mussels were plentiful and tasty, but really the difficult part of serving seafood is ensuring quality, not so much the preparation, so you'd expect at least passable. My steak, however, was a mess. First, a couple of minutes after ordering I realised the waiter hadn't asked me how I wanted it cooked. This is basic, Angus Steakhouse level stuff. I then realised he'd not offered us water - fine, we can order it if we want it but it's nice to be offered the choice.

The composition of the steak dish was absolutely bizarre. The pea puree didn't come through at all, nor did the abundance (so, so many) of peppercorns. In fact, for an incredibly fussy, overlong list of ingredients, it was a surprise how little flavour there was - overall the sauce tasted like butter and little else - it left my mouth and stomach feeling unpleasantly greasy as a result. I'd love to know if the chef tastes his food, and how he personally would describe that sauce.

Add to that the parsimonious attitude to accompaniments - for a 70zl main in Poland I expect a couple of potatoes, a small pile of fries, anything to add a bit of carbohydrate to the plate. I don't expect to finish a main and still be quite hungry. The only option to add chips was a giant plate of cheese loaded fries, and if there were off menu alternatives we weren't offered them.

All that would be just about tolerable if the steak was cooked to a good level. It wasn't - perhaps this is why they didn't ask how I wanted it. One side was well done, the other medium rare, and yet the former side was far less chewy. I'm not sure, other than it being trendy on social media, why it was cut into slices for me. To show off the rainbow of doneness the chef inexplicably but nevertheless impressively achieved, perhaps. I'm either spoiled by my experience of steak or this was far below the standard expected.

Fortunately they comped one dessert, a very wet crème brulée. Regardless, this was not a 300zl meal. Perhaps they're resting on reputation, perhaps something changed behind the scenes, but if I do return I'll not be ordering beef as it's clearly not among their talents to produce a decent version.

Overall we left disappointed that a meal we'd been looking forward to ended up so average. The staff are nice, engaged and trying their best, presumably for awful wages, but there's only so much they can do without good training, bless them. Management would seem to be letting them down, and in a place that was once the byword for quality dining in...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a French restaurant, and I must say that it was an absolutely delightful experience. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with warm smiles and impeccable service.

The ambiance of the restaurant was simply enchanting. The dimly lit room, adorned with elegant French décor, transported us to a quaint bistro in the heart of Paris. Soft background music added to the overall charm, creating a cozy and intimate atmosphere.

As for the food, it was nothing short of exceptional. Each dish was crafted with careful attention to detail, showcasing the true artistry and technique behind French cuisine. The flavors were rich and complex, yet harmoniously balanced. From the buttery escargots to the perfectly cooked Coq au Vin, every bite was a culinary delight.

The wine selection was also remarkable. The sommelier guided us through a stunning array of French wines, recommending the perfect pairing for each course. It was evident that the restaurant prides itself on offering a comprehensive and carefully curated wine list.

What truly stood out to me, however, was the passion and dedication of the staff. The waiters not only possessed an extensive knowledge of the menu but also a genuine enthusiasm for the food they served. They took the time to explain each dish, making sure we understood and appreciated the unique ingredients and cooking methods. Their attentiveness and willingness to accommodate any dietary preferences or restrictions added a personal touch to the dining experience.

In conclusion, this French restaurant surpassed all my expectations. It provided a true taste of French gastronomy in an elegant and inviting setting. From the moment we stepped in until the last bite, every aspect of our evening was thoroughly enjoyable. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone seeking an unforgettable...