Polish and modern styles all under one roof

5th February 2008, 12:47pm

Monika Milcarz, owner of The Knaypa in Hammersmith, reveals how she has designed her restaurant to be unique and original – bringing modern and traditional Polish styles all under the one roof.

The eatery, home to the UK's largest Polish community, opened its doors last month, bringing a 'touch of finesse to traditional Polish cooking'.

The polish venue offers guests the choice of two dining areas. The ground floor (holding 34 diners) has a contemporary design with pale wooden flooring, coloured opaque mirrors, and red leather seating, meanwhile the downstairs area (seating 30 covers) is more rustic, using dark furniture and atmospheric lighting.

What were your aims when designing Knaypa?

Monika answered: "I was looking for a place with two floors so that I could combine two completely different styles: the modern and the traditional polish one. After over one month trading I can say that Polish customers tend to sit in the basement, and the English customers prefer the ground floor.

"On the downstairs floor I wanted to achieve a room designed traditionally to attract Polish customers and to see if English customers would like it. The ground floor is pretty universal.

"I did not arrange a professional designer on purpose because I had my idea and I wanted The Knaypa to be different to other London restaurants.

"The design process took a couple of months to complete, with the fit out costing a total of £50,000."

How did you achieve this?

"I have imported most of the furniture, decoration and tableware from Poland."

What would you describe as the key and unique features of the restaurant?

"The unique feature is that The Knaypa combines two completely different dining experiences under one roof. From the rustic feel of the downstairs area to the contemporary style of the ground floor.

"The menu reflects these dining areas: we have traditional Polish favourites such as pierogi, golabki & bigos yet also have dishes that have Polish roots but have been refined in a more modern and lighter offering."

Other dishes on the menu include Soured Rye Flour Soup with White Sausage, Ceps, Marjorma and Quail Eggs, King Prawns with Braised Fennel & Basmati Rice, and Venison Roulade on Red Cabbage with Lyonnaise Potatoes.

A set lunch including a glass of wine, beer or soft drink, and tea or coffee, is priced at £14.75 for a two course meal, and £16.75 for three courses.

Contact details:

The Knaypa

268 King Street

Hammersmith

London

W6 OSP

Tel: 020 8563 2887

Weblink:

www.kynapa.co.uk