Warsaw: Where to Eat and Drink with Chef Modest Amaro

"I've discovered a small place called Pierogi & Deli. It's run by the family of Ms. Ela, her son Iwo and her daughter-in-law Aneta. They used to live in the Silesia region and then Ms. Ela moved to NYC where she cooked pierogis in Pierogi & Deli in Manhattan in the early nineties. The restaurant was popular and there were plenty of regulars who were NYC celebrities, including the famous Polish writer Janusz Glowacki. Now, Ms. Ela is back in the country and prepares the freshest, most authentic pierogis you can find out here. Try her amazing soups too. Because Poland is really cold for the most of the year, so we love soups here."

"There is a huge Vietnamese community living in Warsaw, so there are plenty of amazing Vietnamese restaurants in the city. They used to cook at the food stalls around the famed Stadion Dziesieciolecia (now the National Stadium). Now they run small, but very good restaurants serving classic Asian dishes. The award winning Viet Street Food is one of the best and a really authentic."

"Also we have world-class Napoli-style pizza in Warsaw, so please do not miss the restaurant called Maka i Woda that is translated as Flour and Water. The dough is really amazing, but also they use only best quality Italian ingredients. In addition, the pasta selections are really outstanding. Please make sure to try their tagliatelle with chicken jus and shrimps.

"There are two main kinds of bars in Warsaw. One is a posh or elaborate bar, which is so seriously hidden that not everyone can find it, like Weles and Charlie. They both serve very good cocktails. I like to have a drink during week nights when they are really calm, then you can actually talk with your companion."

"The other type of bar is cosy, cool and casual. Bar Pacyfik is the best of them. Do definitely ask them for Miso Margarita, even if you can't find it in the menu. There is also a special drink known as Igor's shot – a nickname of one of Polish best musicians who also happens to be my dear friend."

"Bar Woda Ognista is really an excellent choice with old fashioned styling going back to the early 1920s. Next there is The Roots Bar & More - where the bartender Tomek Małek has won the WFA Roadhouse World Championship – which is mostly crowded by celebrities and stars."

"There are plenty of food markets in Warsaw, but two of them have a real history. One is Hala Mirowska, where most chefs buy the products for their kitchens, and another one is Bazar Szembeka. You definitely need to try the artisanal Polish cheeses, they are really special. And the bread. Poland is famous for the amazing sourdough rye bread. And don't forget about the fresh butter. And some local tomatoes, when they are in seasons. Bread, butter, cheese and tomato, and you are all set."