Bajka Restaurant in Rome, Polish cuisine in Primavalle including herring, soups, and bigos
Ristorante Bajka Roma, tel. 328 803 0162. Located at number 32/33 Largo Andrea Barbazza, in the Primavalle neighborhood, it flies the Polish flag: here you can eat typical dishes from the northern region, the one bordering Ukraine.
Anna learned the tradition from the women in the family and today, tirelessly, she brings it to life in the restaurant's kitchen, assisted only by Adam, who is responsible for the preparations, providing straightforward service in keeping with the homey feel of the small room, seating just over 30 people: warm lights and colors, mugs and bottles, inviting shots of the gastronomic offerings, shelves overflowing with objects and a map of the house.
The origin of the raw materials is chosen based on the best outcome of the preparations: herring, cured meats, pickled cucumbers and sauerkraut come strictly from Poland. The potatoes, however, are from Austria or Germany, preferred to the overly watery local ones. If it would have been grotesque to offer Polish wine in Italy, Adam explains, the tasting of Polish beer is spot on (3.5). Three labels – Tyskie, Zywiec and Zubr – all clear, table-quality, with slight aromatic and alcoholic variations.
Meat or fish for the starter: the cold cuts in the selection (6) are soft and the homemade lard has an intense flavour.
Marinated herrings in oil and vegetable sauce (5) are pungent and succulent. A challenge for skeptics, they are the workhorse of the kitchen.
Inviting in the winter season, soups (6) are prepared in three variations: soup with white sausage and egg, Polish tripe and soup of the day.
Pierogi are a signature dish, steamed dumplings reminiscent of traditional Japanese gyoza in shape (10 pcs. 8, 6 pcs. 5). Choose from four delicious fillings: Polish white cheese-ricotta, boiled potatoes and spices (known as Russian dumplings), sauerkraut and mixed mushrooms, potatoes and bacon, and finally, beef, mixed vegetables, and sauerkraut. For those unsure, a portion of mixed dumplings is just the ticket.
Wide choice for meat lovers: goulash served on crispy potato pancakes (12), oven roast (10), pork rolls filled with vegetables and bacon served in the cooking juices (10) and pork cutlet (10).
Next up is bigos (10), an aromatic stew of mixed meat, Polish cured meats, sauerkraut, fresh cabbage and plums, minced meat and rice rolls wrapped in cabbage leaves (10) and pork knuckle with sauces (13). Finally, two grilled options: “black” sausage (8), a relative of our black pudding, and smoked sausage (10), both served with bread and sauces. In addition to the potatoes that accompany all meat dishes, other side dishes are available (3): hot beetroot, sautéed cabbage, pickled cucumbers, red cabbage and sauerkraut salad. Vegetarian customers are also catered for (10): vegetable and rice rolls wrapped in cabbage leaves, potato pancakes and crêpes with vegetables, vegetarian bigos.
Last but not least (4), crêpes with jam, white cheese or Nutella and warm, homemade Polish cakes: apple or chocolate with a central layer of plum jam, the creation of which Anna proudly claims.
Finally, grandma's liqueur (2): sweet, delicious, and with a familiar flavor. But don't expect to know the ingredients; the recipe is a secret. The bill is balanced and without surprises. A "fabulous" meal in the truest sense of the word: bajka, in Italian, means fairy tale.
Bajka Restaurant, Largo Andrea Barbazza, 32/33 - tel. 328 803 0162 - open Friday to Saturday from 8 pm to midnight, Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm and from 7:30 pm to midnight. Website – Facebook page.
