September 14, 2005
The nicest bathrooms in town
When we moved to Romania in 2003, my (up-to-date!) guide suggested that if we were to go out to a restaurant, we should take some toilet paper with us, as this is not always supplied.
Even back then -- two years ago! gasp! -- this wasn't true. We've seen some truly disgusting toilets in Romania, yes. Some were just not usable at all. And were out of toilet paper. But the Bucharest restaurant toilets were usually OK. However, we did notice a trend over the past years.
Bathrooms are getting some attention now. The new (and old) restaurants are using their interior designers not only for their eating areas but also for their bathrooms. Some go a bit overboard but when a new place opens, it's always fun to check out the bathrooms for some innovative ideas.
My favorite ones are:
1. Mica Helvetia -- The toilets in this Swiss restaurant have their seats covered in a nice Heidi theme. You almost don't want to sit down.
2. Piccolo Mondo -- The Lebanese/Turkish restaurant sports a regular big well in the anteroom to the toilets, complete with a nice hanging basket of plants over it and big stones at the bottom. Both Doug and I walked back and forth some little while in search for the sinks until we realized that the well was the sink. The taps are hidden in the hanging basket and the drains are below the stones. It's -- different.
3. Rogue Cafe -- Very modern, very stylish with brown mosaic in white washed walls and a sleek, elegant sink. Quite my thing. Just the big mirror in which you see yourself pulling down your undies is somewhat disconcerting.
Any suggestions for other contenders? We are looking for the coolest restaurant bathroom in Bucharest. Of course, it would be more impressive for our readers outside of Romania if we supplied pictures. Maybe one day.
Posted by claudia at September 14, 2005 03:02 PMCheck the link that my name connects to.
Not really apropos of the status of Balkan loos, water closets, powders or comfort stations, but here's a tidbit that some may find interesting.
There's a small brick building on Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets in the historic part of Philadelphia. It's on the same block as the weird glass Burger King-looking thing that presently houses the Liberty Bell.
Anyway, this brick building occupies the site where once stood the house that George Washington (and, apparently, some of his slaves) lived in while he was in Philadelphia serving as President of the United States.
The brick building is a public bathroom.
Posted by: Dennis Brennan at September 15, 2005 04:57 PMThis is sooo untrue. I believe like 90% of the regular restaurants and pubs and bars in Romania have plenty of toilet paper for one to use. It is true that some of the toilets may be dirty at some times, but this is not "Romania specific".
You wouldn't imagine how the toilets in Hoffbreuhouse (I hope I spelled it right, it's the most famous beer house in Munich) look like after 200 guys visiting after having plenty of beer...
It's so sad to see Romanians discrediting their own country...the international media does plenty of these, at least we should support the home-team, right?
Posted by: Mihai at September 17, 2005 10:46 PMHm, maybe I should have made it more explicit - the guide was a tourist book guide.
FWIW, yes, you do see yucky bathrooms in EU countries or in the US as well, especially when a large crowd descend on relatively few facilities.
However, as I pointed out, the book was not correct in respect to the restaurants we've encountered in Bucharest. I think I was being reasonably clear on that point.
If you travel extensively across the country, though, you will encouter some very basic toilets (which I don't mind, a hole in the ground is often much more hygienic than a splattered throne) and some very dirty ones. Especially toilets in parks are abominable.
Nobody is being "down" on Romania. We're stating what we encounter, is all (and the post was about the stylish toilets in Bucharest restaurants, anyway.)
And btw, the gas station toilets have much, much improved over the last two years. Even the smallest villages will sport clean toilets in their gas stations. So, if you travel and you need to go, now you know where to go... :-)
Posted by: claudia at September 18, 2005 11:23 AMHi Claudia,
Sorry, I didn't mean no offence...I was reffering to those who wrote the guide you were talking baout.
I understood your poit of view and I agree.
Yours,
Mihai.
Speaking of toilets, check out this link (in Romanian).
Marian
Posted by: Marian at September 20, 2005 05:13 PM