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https://www.facebook.com/pages/TAO-by-Zen-Teppanyaki-More/162556840610495I was slightly underwhelmed by my last visit to TAO. The interior is a little too dark, I chose a meal that wasn't amazing. But I recognised that the place had potential (and a fantastic toilet, but more of that later). So, for my revisit I decided to mix it up a bit...
First, and possibly the most important element, was the company. The divine Miss D had graciously accepted my dinner invitation. We met on Mostowa (Bridge Street) and crossed the river using the footbridge. The sun was beginning to set and I was beginning to regret not bringing my camera.
After a quick scan of the interior of the restaurant we chose to sit outside. TAO has a selection of interesting dining areas, and the most pleasant garden area, complete with a swing and a large mirror so that you can, if the fancy takes you, watch yourself swinging. So, al fresco dining was the order of the day.
Choice of meal took a certain amount of negotiation. My dinner companion took a look at the menu announced that she would be forgoing food and only having a Japanese beer. After a little persuasion and reassurance that I would quite happily pay the bill we opted for a sushi set at 59 zloty. Upon trying to order it turned out that this reasonably priced sushi set (26 pieces) was only available at lunch time. So, the "Samurai" set (at 100 zloty) was ordered instead, for no better reason than I thought it sounded manly I had to get some carbs into me to fuel the evening's heavy drinking session. Next time I will check if they have a "Sumo Wrestler" set. I can't imagine it being cheap though...
Our drinks arrived soon enough, Asahi beer for the lady and plum wine for me. Chopsticks, soy sauce and a small plates were also delivered. The sushi would take a little longer to arrive as it was no doubt handcrafted by experts who had spent 4 years getting their Rice Cooking diploma before they could move onto the nitty-gritty of sushi rolling.
As it began to get cool we debated the merits of moving indoors. "This could be the last time I eat outdoors", Miss D quite rightly pointed out. The mosquitoes were quite happy with the decision, as was I. Fortunately the mosquitoes were none too sneaky in their attacks and were quickly shooed away before they could relieve us of our precious blood.
Time passed quickly while waiting for the sushi. Relaxing music in the background. There was poetry to be read, stories to be exchanged. The impressive-looking sushi arrived on a modest-sized tray along with a small pyramid of ginger and a dollop of wasabi. I really like to see a girl who enjoys her food and my dinner companion certainly did, savouring every tasteful mouthful. I enjoyed it too, despite the thought at the back of my mind was the thought that this wasn't really filling me up and I might need to eat something else later.
For dessert we had another round of beers and, for me, green tiramisu. The beers arrived in a rather strange fashion, First one beer, then another beer and finally a glass for me. This evening the service wasn't quite as attentive as it should have been. Really the waitress should spot that are glasses are empty or we have finished our main course. Fair enough, it was fairly dark out in the garden area, she was busy and probably dind't give a toss anyway. My green tiramisu arrived, we shone some light on it to confirm that it was indeed green and to take some photos of it.
After I had received a brief lesson in the perils of colour coordinating your outfit the topic of conversation passed on to the toilets. "You really must see the toilet here, it really a joy to behold" (those weren't my exact words). I was first to answer the call of nature. It wasn't quite as spectacular how I remembered it. Sure it was painted in mellow green hues, much like the tiramisu I had eaten earlier. There was indeed some foliage on a shelf at head height. I returned from the underwhelming toilet slightly confused. "Was the fancy toilet in some other restaurant". I go to so many restaurants it's difficult to be sure. The mystery was solved when Miss D returned from the toilet. She confirmed that there was indeed a stool so that those of you who can't bear to be alone could take some company to chat with. There was a mirror. Could there possibly be two toilets one dull and one fancy in a parallel universe? No, there were just two toilets.
After two hours at the restaurant we left happy. One of us had seen one of the best toilets in the whole of Kraków and had a nice go on the swing. I, on the other hand, almost had enough to eat and I'd certainly had enough to drink. (Certainly enough drink to be interviewed for internet TV and go for an excruciating karaoke experience, read about it here)
(Written in Kraków with a hangover, in homage to Shelley)