New flavours in an old fort

The 270 sqm Forty restaurant is situated in one of the renovated red brick buildings of the historic complex, which formerly included barracks, powder stores and a radio factory. White Stone, which is redeveloping Fort Mokotów into a complex of art, photo and advertising studios, offices and catering, has joined forces with chefs Katarzyna Błońska and Tomasz Czudowski, the two-time winners of Michelin’s Bib Gourmand title, to open the restaurant.

The cuisine offered by Forty is inspired by such regions of the world as Mexico, Italy, Poland, the Middle East and Asia. The dishes are prepared using products from local suppliers, while the range of wines has been drawn up with the help of sommelier Piotr Pietras.

Studio Rygalik was responsible for the comprehensive interior design work, which features natural materials combined with contemporary design. The red brick walls have been retained as well as the traditional chequered floor.

“The Forty restaurant is located in the most characteristic building of Fort Mokotów, which we have a special attachment to – its revitalisation was a time-consuming process, but the effect is truly beautiful. That’s why we were looking for a partner who would breathe new life into it while respecting its history. We were able to find restaurateurs with a passion, who contributed to shaping the concept, gave it a beautiful design and now provide top-class cuisine,” comments Katarzyna Szymborska, a board member of the White Stone group.

“We had been thinking for some time about our next culinary project because we wanted to make it special. At Fort Mokotów, we found historic architecture surrounded by lush greenery. The interference with the historic buildings has been kept to a minimum, while to the sensitivity to their history can be seen at every turn – there are only a few such places in the capital city. We also wanted to transfer this naturalness to the interior and the kitchen – so that they inter-penetrated each other,” adds Tomasz Czudowski, the co-owner of the Forty restaurant.

Forty is the latest cultural and artistic project that White Stone has engaged in, as the restaurant’s basement contains the gallery of the Fort Photographic Institute, which the developer is the patron and founder of.