There weren’t as many options for dinner on Christmas night as I had expected, as we were staying in the Jewish Quarter, but we ended up at "Secret Garden". While the staff speaks excellent English and this is probably a big tourist destination, on Christmas it was also filled with Poles. I always take it as a sign that the food is good and authentic if locals are eating there.

I had a very nice chicken caesar salad (plant-based fiber-filled food anyone?) and Barb had two kinds of pierogi -- including Ruskie which have become her current favorite.

There was a large group of friends seated behind us and one of the chicks had made a "Christmas present" hat for herself (could she have bought this someplace??)... At any rate, I coveted the hat and tried to surreptitiously take photos. They didn't turn out that great, but you get the gist. I might make one for myself on some future holiday.

On the way out the door we ran into some young folks speaking English -- a guy from New York, a guy from Pakistan and a girl from New Zealand. Solo travelers, they had met in a hostel and were having Christmas dinner together. Very cool thought.

Once back at the Kaz crib we crashed in preparation for the slog we know we faced on Wednesday.