Krakow - Coffee Eleven - The Sweets

Dearest hearts,

I ask you: is there anything more soothing and that would make you feel more at home, than a piece of hot home-made pie? For me the equivalent of the smell of freshly baked (well done!) pie equals home, equals comfort, equals my tummy being very well pleased. Perhaps that is why, in each restaurant and coffee shop that I go to, I always check out their cheesecakes and apple pies - and if the menu of sweets is extensive I also check the creme brulee ;) for the love of good old Amelie Poulain. I always am lucky, in Poland, to find delicious and fulfilling pieces of gastronomic art, when I ask for cheesecake and apple pie. Why?! Well it's simple... these 2 sweets are typical Polish sweets that people prepare in their own homes. 

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The cheesecake is called sernik and it always has loads and loads of cheese and a very thin layer upon which the cheese sits. Usually it does not have an upper crust and I consider that perfect! :) the more cheese, the merrier I am! The apple pie is called szarlotka and it depends how it is done from region to region but it always has a consistent apple filling - Poland is quite an apple producer ;) The apple pie can have breadcrumbs as a crust or it can have an upper layer... either way, most of the times is served hot - from the oven - with icecream. I know... that is somehow typical American as well! Let's not get into who was first, Polish people are stubborn ;)

You may remember me telling you, a while back, about a lovely place with a 15th century cellar, called Coffee Eleven. Last time I was telling you about the yummy muffins and the coffee/tea to go. Today I wish to tell you more about the seating options and the delicious other sweets - the typical Polish sernik and szarlotka. Coffee Eleven opened its doors on the 25th of October 2014 (one day before my birthday so that should bring them good luck by association :p) and it seems to grow better and better in terms of menu options and how it presents itself to the market. Located on Grodzka 11, on the path of the Royal Route that goes to the Wawel Castle, it will for sure never be free of customers. I love that it gives one the option "to go" VS. the indoor sitting option in the 15th century cellar - it is true the athmosphere is what one may call dark but it is very comfortable! Coffee Eleven is open Monday to Thursday from 9 am to 9 pm and Friday to Sunday from 9 am to 10 pm. I really suggest this place for small snacks and sweets and revitalising yourself with some freshly ground coffee. I know they have a breakfast option but I have not yet tried it... will let you know when I shall ;) The coffee and tea is one of the kind and not the regular things you find on the market.

The prices:

- lemonade - 10 zloty

- smoothies - up to 15 zloty

- aperol spritz - 18 zloty

- mojito - 18 zloty

- americano coffee - 8 zloty

- irish coffee - 15 zloty

- frappe - 11 zloty

- hot tea (variety of mixes and not the usual satches) - 6 zloty

- home-made cheesecake served with whipped cream and fruits = traditional Polish "sernik" - 13 zloty

- home-made apple pie served with vanilla icecream, whipped cream and fruits = traditional Polish "szarlotka" - 13 zloty

The szarlotka (apple pie) at Coffee Eleven is amazing when combined with a smoothie (I really like the strawberry and mint one!) - something warm with something cold to drink. The apple pie is well spiced with cinnamon (my favourite flavour!) and it does not have a tough crust or lower layer; everything blends in perfectly with the vanilla icecream. Added to that, there is always plenty of whipped cream and some random fruits - this time I had blueberries and apples. The apple filling was smooth and I really enjoyed it - one of the best apple pies I ate in Krakow ;) The sernik (cheesecake) is served with whipped cream and fruits as well. It is one of a kind and filling by itself - no upper crust, just the fullness/richness of the velvety cheesy ingredients. Both are a wise choice if you wish to have a "something sweet" treat. We went to the 15th century cellar and we enjoyed the peace and quiet of the day, while sipping on our smoothie/aperol/cappuccino. The music is nice and not loud enough so you would shout at eachother. The chairs and the other seating options are comfortable so you should really give it a go! Let me know what you think, once you got a chance to visit Coffee Eleven ;)

** This post was made out of love for sweets that really taste good. I was not repayed in any way and all the opinions are my very own, straight from the heart! **

Yours truly,
The Twisted Red LadyBug That Loves Cheesecake