Ale' Ryba, Kolozbreg > Reviews (2)

The day we visited Kolobrzeg which is tucked away on the Baltic Coast in the north west of Poland was a very hot one and one of the attractions we wanted to see was the port but it turned out to be quite a long walk before we came across it. Before turning the street corner which leads to the port and lighthouse we noticed a lot of fish restaurants and the aroma blowing gently with the sea breeze was indeed very inviting. We had mentioned earlier in the week that we would go out for a fish and chip meal during our stay on the Baltic Coast but I thought we would eat closer to Grzybowo where we were actually based for the week. I could see my son was interested in the restaurants on Cicha Street as he kept walking up and down the street comparing prices.

It was still quite early so I suggested that we walk to the lighthouse and beach area and have a look at what was on offer - I thought we might spy a better and cheaper restaurant than those on the tourist stretch. Indeed we did find some restaurants along the main stretch of souvenir kiosks but having stepped inside a few and noticed that not many people were eating we decided to go back to Cicha Street and try out the Ale' Ryba.

The Ale' Ryba is a small restaurant with tables and chairs outside. You can't miss the sign of a skeletal fish swinging high and low and the fact that it is opposite the Pod Winogronami Restaurant which is a grand and very attractive looking restaurant.

Inside the Ale' Ryba the walls have been painted in a pale amber colour with names of ports like Rotterdam, Gdansk and Kolobrzeg stencilled on top of the paintwork. Stone coloured impressions of compass points also decorate the walls giving the restaurant a cosy, seaside effect. Tables are made from solid wood and seat 4 people in the rattan curved chairs. The only other accompaniment on the table top is a serviette holder filled with serviettes and a salt cellar. If you need to use vinegar, oil or pepper there is a separate tray with these items on the main counter but be careful not to confuse Soy Sauce with malt vinegar. Only white vinegar is available - the dark brown liquid is Soy Sauce! Don't do what my son did - went beserk with the bottle of Soy Sauce thinking it was vinegar and ruined his plate of chips!

As you enter the restaurant you will see the counter and serving area. This is quite jolly with a display board telling visitors the various kinds of fish on offer eg, halibut, cod, flounder, plaice and many more. The display board is written in German and Polish. Other food items on offer are fish soups, salads (things like coleslaw, potato salad etc), chips and bread. Two beers are sold on the pump - Tyskie (Polish beer) and an Irish ale which isn't quite as rich as Guinness but very nice - more like an old fashioned stout. Various teas including fruit teas and coffee is available as well as water and soft drinks.

As I wasn't hungry I decided to go and find a seat with my granddaughter while the rest of the family members decided what type of fish they wanted for lunch.

My husband and son both had cod and chips and my daughter-in-law chose halibut. Fish is priced by weight - cod being 5.90 zloty per 100gms and halibut being 7.90 zloty. Chips cost 5 zloty per portion and so did each portion of salad. Only my daughter-in-law chose a salad which was of the coleslaw variety. The procedure is that you order at the counter and pay first then the lady who was quite friendly and helpful goes to the kitchen at the side of the serving area to cook the fish and chips. When cooked she brings all the food to the table on paper plates with plastic knives and forks.

Both my son and I ordered a large glass of Irish beer which was cool and delicious. I also noticed that bottled beers were on offer which cost about 7 zloty per bottle.

My family didn't have to wait long before the food was delivered and here's the verdict. You know what it's like with fish and chips. The cooking smell can be quite evocative especially when you are at the seaside with salty breezes wafting in front of your nostrils and seagulls flapping about. I often think that the smell is far better than the actual food. So let's see what the family thought of Ale' Ryba's cooking. On arrival the fish smelt fine. I thought the pieces of fish weren't huge but a reasonable size. Each portion actually weighed 300gm. The batter looked a little light weight to me - certainly looked nothing like the batter on English fish from a chippy more like a pancake batter. My husband cut into his fish and it seemed well cooked if a little fatty and watery. He offered me a forkful and I have to say that it didn't really taste of anything. The texture was fish-like but it was absolutely tasteless. I could tell that my daughter-in-law wasn't too thrilled about her halibut although she ate most of the fish but left all the batter. My son said there were too many bones and the fish didn't taste of anything. I think my husband was of the same opinion. Although the smell and look of the fish was tempting the taste was bland. The chips were nicely cooked and the portions just about right. I don't think anyone complained about these except a certain person who had drowned his in salty Soy Sauce.

Overall, the restaurant is attractive and the staff are friendly enough. The situation of the restaurant is good - on a main thoroughfare leading to the port, beach and lighthouse and amongst other fish restaurants. The price of three meals came to just over 100zloty which at today's rate is just over £22. That's for cod and chips x 2, halibut and chips, coleslaw salad, fruit juice, 2 Irish Beers. Not a bad price but not good value really as the fish was tasteless. It's a little difficult to know what rate to give as the restaurant itself is fine but if you are visiting here especially to taste the fish then I am sure most people will be disappointed so I am going to give the Ale' Ryba 2 stars.