HEVRE: A HIP, SHABBY-CHIC KRAKOW RESTAURANT LOCATED IN A FORMER SYNAGOGUE
The Cost - $23 per person
The Atmosphere – Situated just outside Krakow’s charming Old Town, Hevre offers a lively and hip dining experience that can be hard to come by in the city center. The restaurant’s setting in a former synagogue adds a unique historical element that definitely increases its cool-factor. Highlighted by its shabby chic décor with chandeliers hanging from high ceilings and faded paint on the walls, the atmosphere is perfect for groups of friends, and crowds of all ages. Outdoor seating is available, great for enjoying Krakow’s pleasant spring, fall, or summer evenings. Casual dress is appropriate.
Hevre is the perfect blend of history and modernity, offering a dining experience with lots of positive vibes. Its unique atmosphere, international menu, and large beer and wine list ensures there’s something for everyone and one of the more fun parts of the evening was when there was a random announcement that free beers were being given out at the bar for a short time. Now let’s dive in to what we ordered.
The Order – Beef Tartare, Gnocchi with Chorizo, Salmon Fillet, and a Cream Cake.
The Great – The Gnocchi with Chorizo was the standout dish of the evening. The portion is generous, and the combination of slightly spicy chorizo, perfectly cooked gnocchi, fresh peas, mushrooms, and red peppers creates an excellent symphony of flavors. The chorizo was the star of the show, but the dish wouldn’t have been nearly as good without the peas and the excellent, light, spicy oil-based sauce that ties everything together. It was a delicious and satisfying choice.
The second-best dish of the evening was the delightful Cream Cake or Kremówka. A typical dessert found all over Krakow, Hevre’s version came with a homemade blueberry jam on the side and lots of crème Chantilly between two pastry pieces. It was topped with a dusting of powdered sugar. The cream was light and fluffy, and the jam provided a lovely, not-too-sweet burst of fruit flavor, making for a very satisfying end to the meal.
The Good - The Salmon Fillet is a dish I’d eat regularly, not because of the salmon itself, but because of the very nice Bearnaise sauce that it came with. The salmon, along with the asparagus and boiled potatoes on the side, was nice but there wasn’t much flavor without the sauce. Soaking the fish and vegetables in the sauce was the way to go and made this a dish that nearly earned our Great rating.
The Beef Tartare was the only appetizer that I tried during my visit. While the portion wasn’t huge, it was well-balanced with four slices of bread and a side of pickled squash pieces. Included in the tartare were greens, a bit of chimichurri, and some cumin seeds, which provided a slight kick and there was egg yolk artistically splattered on the side. The bread, though fine, can be skipped to fully appreciate the flavors of the tartare.
The Verdict – Hevre’s gnocchi and Kremówka may have been the standout dishes of the night, but its super cool ambiance and lively crowd really enhanced the dining experience. Whether you’re in the mood for a full meal, some snacks, or drinks, this is a place that should be on your list if you want a laid back, casual spot to enjoy solid food and/or beverages.