Chef, business woman and jazz singer Julia Bosski is the powerhouse behind Polish Thursday Dinners.
As one of Berlin’s friendliest regular dining events, it aims to bring the tastes and influences of the Polish diaspora to the city, but always with a twist. Here we get a unique insight into Julia’s psyche with a quick-fire interview.
When was the last time one of your heroes disappointed you? I don’t get disappointed easily, let’s drink a shot and forget it. It will all be fine.
What was the last piece of great advice you were given? I give all advice to everyone and to myself. I don’t really listen to anyone, because ‘I already know everything.’
When was the last time you cried? I’m that ice queen with a heart of stone. I cried a few months ago, but only because I was so hungover that I thought I was gonna die from being sick. [Laughs]
When was the last time you doubted yourself? Hm, that happens to me pretty often, mostly when I’m about to get my period or when a business deal I was hoping would succeed didn’t work out. But I always say to myself that this is life; call a friend, go for some champagne and I’m back in the game.
When was the last time you were scared? “Was that the last bottle of champagne?!”
When was the last time you broke the law? Honey, you’re talking to the queen of Polish mafia here. [Laughs]
Who was the last person to truly surprise you? I get surprised by tiny sweet gestures, like when someone who does not give the impression of a gentleman opens a door for me, or gives me a hand when I get out of a car, or when my business partner brought me homemade, Italian honey from his vacation, or when my flatmate brought me delicious cakes from her coffee shop. These are small, beautiful surprises.
What was the last good film you watched? Woody Allen’s retrospective. I watched all his movies, and totally loved the last one,Café Society, but I also recently saw Godard’s Bande à part. When I watch his movies I want to be in love and hang out with my babe, behaving like these French bohemians. I love Godard.
What was the last great meal you ate? I just came back from dinner at Umami, a Vietnamese place in Prenzlauer Berg. I had beef with mango stripes on rice, then I had a matcha cake at a Korean café on the corner of my street.
When was the last time you sent something back at a restaurant? I sent back a glass of champagne, on Valentine’s Day – it didn’t have bubbles! I know this business, so I knew they must have given me some stuff from an old bottle. I mean, it was a pretty fancy bar, I couldn’t take it.
When was the last time you found a new favourite restaurant? Lately Pauly Saal, because I often go to another bar in Mitte (Cordobar which is my most beloved place at the moment). The other night there was a sommelier there from Pauly Saal. We started talking and he invited me for lunch the day after. Great place.
When was the last time you drank too much? [Laughs] I say to myself every day ‘I have to stop drinking so much.’ The last time… Friday? I started with whisky cocktails, next went through champagne, mixed with wine, then more wine, and at the end a few more cocktails…
What was the last new recipe you tried out? Porridge with oat milk, Himalaya salt and blended banana with some smoked apple cream, toasted sesame, and homemade cherry marmalade. And for my last dinner I made buckwheat sourdough soup – my own version of traditional polish Żurek.
What was the last compliment you received? That I look like a Japanese warrior.
When was the last time you were on TV? In January – so lame – but I’m coming back on air soon! Maybe with something really geil, like my own TV show. Let’s see, wish me luck.
Find out when the next Polish Thursday Dinners event is here.
