The Fret@Porter restaurant and gallery, situated on New Town Square, celebrates its fifth anniversary this year. The atmospheric and romantic interior decor resembles a stylish living room. The warm colors of the walls and drapes harmonize with lamps, candles, theatrical props and a piano. "This place has a soul," says Mariola Jóźwik, manager of Fret@Porter. "Our guests appreciate the atmosphere, many of them are foreigners." The menu features primarily European dishes, with some elements of world cuisine. "We have a lot of Polish dishes and a few innovative ones, such as two ostrich variants," Jóźwik said. "We also serve octopus and, just recently, the delicious butterfish." Fret@Porter is one of the few restaurants in Warsaw where you can have kangaroo and couscous. "Our top dessert is baked apple in calvados sauce with vanilla ice-cream flambé," said Jóźwik. A notable specialty of Fret@Porter is its rich onion soup, although customers also enjoy steaks made from Polish beef. Salads include goat cheese (zl.30), Emu salad on a bed of Roquefort cheese (zl.38) and Buddha's Delicacy with coconut milk and broccoli (zl.34).

Noteworthy main courses include medallions of grilled Australian kangaroo served with fresh kiwi and pineapple (zl.48) and medallions of emu (zl.49). Grilled octopus with sauce (zl.56) and Casablanca Steak of real Argentine beef with green peppercorn sauce (zl.69) are also available. Polish cuisine is represented by, for example, pierogi and a traditional Polish carp fillet (zl.39).

Evenings at Fret@Porter feature live piano music (start at 7 p.m., daily except Mondays). "We frequently host art openings," said Jóźwik. "We promote new artists and arrange exhibitions for well-known painters." Writing on the restaurant's walls in many languages testifies to visits by artists such as painter Edward Dwurnik and musician Janusz Tylman, as well as many foreigners.

Fret@Porter, 37 Freta St., open daily from noon until the last customer; for reservations call tel. 635-37-54. The restaurant also hosts corporate events, private parties, weddings, etc.