Old Town & Fukier

Got in at 5 in the afternoon.  Breezed through customs with 100 pounds of corporate gear and caught a taxi to the hotel.  After a glorious shower, scrubbing off the detritus of 17 hours of air travel through multiple airports, I ventured downstairs to the hotel lobby in search of a meal and encountered a whole crew of Burnett folks from across the region.  Turns out they had already made plans for a lovely meal in Warsaw's Old Town, so I happily tagged along and spent the next few hours amidst wonderful company, soaking up the history of this 700-year old city... 

Our wonderful host, the suave & sophisticated Nicola Novellone, had arranged for us to dine at Fukier restaurant, a fantastic gourmet restaurant in the Old Town's main square.  Nicola is the regional head of LB in Central and Eastern Europe, a charming Italian man currently residing in Warsaw and perpetually traveling throughout the region, always armed with a stash of Cuban cigars & the inimitable charm & elegant fashion sense of an Italian businessman.  At home across the world, he treated us to a magnificent meal at Fukier, a legendary institution that has been open for several hundred years, offering up delectable meals in an intimate and romantic setting.  The place felt very old world, with ceiling befitting a wine cellar & beautiful decor coloring the space with an intimate and romantic feel.  I had a lovely meal of lovage dumplings, carp cooked in a savory porcini mushroom gravy, and some delectable white wine selected by Nicola.  The food was outstanding, the company lovely, and the atmosphere was magical.  After dinner, we walked for a few kilometers down Nowy Swiat Street, along the "royal route," past some very beautiful government buildings & museums.  I'll post some pictures later today...