If you look close enough, it’s possible to travel the world and experience various cultures right here in Singapore. Well, sort of. Every now and then, a full, extensive festival dedicated to sharing various cultures from around the world pop up, and we’re down for it. After the inaugural edition of Poland Shiok! Festival last year, they’re back with both local and Polish partners to do it all over again. This edition also marks Poland’s 100th year of Independence, so you can expect a myriad of events dotting the island from now through May 13. Here are a couple that might stir up an appetite.
Masterchef Dining Delights with Masterchef Artur Moroz (Apr 17-20)
Poland Shiok! 2017
This is happening very soon, but there are still a couple of seats left for lunch and dinner. Act quickly as masterchef-owner Artur Moroz of the renowned Bulaj Restaurant in Poland is flying in to whip up a storm to showcase cuisine of his hometown at one of Singapore’s top steakhouses, Wooloomooloo Steakhouse, as part of this year’s World Gourmet Summit. You can expect dishes like goose tartare, goose gizzards with mushrooms and Kopytka (potato dumplings), Polish gnocchi with chicken and more.
Price: 4-course set lunch at $48 / 5-course set dinner at $68; available here
Venue: Wooloomooloo Steakhouse (Level 3 Swissotel The Stamford, 2 Stamford Rd.)
EP7 BXO x 3SINS – Poland Shiok! (Apr 25)
Poland Shiok! 2017
If you prefer something a little more home-cooked, head over to BottlesXO’s rooftop terrace for the seventh edition of their monthly tasting sessions. This month, a couple of Polish women will be grilling numerous treats like plerogi with potatoes and cheese, kielbasa, potato pancakes and more, complemented by bespoke vodka cocktails, Cydr Lubelski and Frank & Serafico Craft beer, courtesy of none other than BottlesXO.
Price: $60 per person / $200 group bundle for four; available here
Venue: BottlesXO Rooftop Terrace (#03-01, 69 Kim Yam Rd.)
Polish Film Festival (Apr 26-29)
Breaking The Limits. Photo credit: R. Palka
A month of cultural appreciation is never complete without films. Take a look into the lives of Polish people at the inaugural Polish Film Festival, co-presented by the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and The Projector, through notable films like Breaking The Limits, which is based on the true story of former drug addict turned Ironman Jerzy Gorski; United States of Love, a tale of four women breaking out of their unhappy circumstances, and more.
Price: $13.50; available here
Venue: The Projector (#05-00 Golden Mile Tower, 6001 Beach Rd.)
Singapore Cocktail Festival x BottlesXO (May 4-6)
Poland Shiok! 2017
First the organizers of the then Singapore Cocktail Week turned the whole thing into a huge festival, complete with a massive village housed in the former police staiton on 99 Beach Road last year. Now they’ve expanded the festival to last a total of 10 days next month. To add to the Poland Shiok! experience, BottlesXO will have a Polish vodka pop-up with Belvedere and Zubrowka at the Festival Village, which will be held at the Empress Lawn in front of Victoria Theatre this year, where you can create your very own bespoke cocktail for $12.
Price: Varies, available here
Venue: Empress Lawn outside Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall (9 Empress Pl.)
Poland Shiok! In The Park presented by BottlesXO (May 6)
Poland Shiok! 2017
For the second year running, Poland Shiok! returns to the greens of Botanic Gardens where you can enjoy a fine afternoon of picnicking to the soundtrack of Polish music performed live by Polish musicians on the Shaw Foundation Symphony Stage. Just pre-order your picnic baskets, which come with a complete cocktail set, Polish nibbles and picnic gear, on BottleXO’s app.
Price: Admission free / Picnic baskets are $150 or $200 (for four); available via BottlesXO app
Venue: Singapore Botanic Gardens (1 Cluny Rd.)
Polish Dumpling Festival at So Sofitel Singapore (May 7)
From Chinese xiao long baos to Italian ravioli, dumplings are a universal food that can be found in most cultures. Brazilians love their empanadas and the Nepalese have their momo, so it isn’t surprising that the Polish have their own iterations of dumplings. While pierogis are usually more common, Poland is known for dozens of other dumplings, which is what this festival is all about. You can also enjoy a bunch of other traditional dishes, like the barley soup “Krupnik”, pork tenderloin with chanterelle mushroom sauce, and more.
Price: $34 (lunch), $43 (dinner)
Venue: Xperience Restaurant (SO Sofitel Singapore, 35 Robinson Rd.)
