Whether you are a lover of sweet flavors or unique interiors, Lukullus is a must-see when you are in Warsaw. The pastries are made using traditional Polish and contemporary French recipes, while the interior reflects the fusion of the two cultures.
The story of Lukullus began three generations ago, when a local master chocolatier founded his own confectionery, then called “Kremówka”, in 1946. The popular business was first taken over by the founder’s wife, then by his daughter, and finally by his granddaughter, the current owner. Albert Judycki and his business partner Jacek Malarski mastered the art of pastry-making at the most prestigious schools in Paris. Back in Warsaw, they combined the traditions of the family business with French influences. This is reflected in both the range of confectionery and the design of the furniture, which was created with the help of contemporary Polish architect Jan Strumiłło and the iconic Polish furniture brand 366 Concept – Retro Furniture.
The primary aim in designing the confectionery was to provide an exclusive setting for the main protagonists, the sweets, while framing the owners’ passion for collecting and refined aesthetic sense.
The interior was inspired by Polish design of the 1950s and 60s, Warsaw’s post-war cafés and the cult Atlantic cinema facing the confectionery. Jan Strumillo was influenced by the cinema and designed the interiors based on the traditional interior design of the halls of transatlantic ocean liners. The space is guided by the principle of dividing the walls into three sections: water-green ceramic tiles at the bottom, teakwood veneer in the middle and open-work wooden cylinders covering them on the top. The wavy walls and columns, the navy-blue ceiling and the crushed stone floor, reminiscent of a rocky beach, all tie in with the maritime inspiration.
Albert and Jacek brought many of the interior decorations and accessories home from French flea markets. Such impressive decorative elements include, for example, the wood panel painted by a friend of Jean Cocteau, and several vintage glass and brass lamp bodies. Despite the marine theme, the overall feeling is warm and intimate, with bluish-green tones offset by warm browns and rust tones. Metal legged chairs and tables add a fresh, contemporary feel to the sublime atmosphere created by the old carved furniture.
Getting back to the flavors: you can taste home-made jams, creams and cakes. Pre-mixed and semi-prepared ingredients are completely excluded, everything is made from scratch. They don’t use margarine or any other vegetable fats, they only bake with butter from Polish dairies. At Lukullus, everything comes together to please the senses!
Photos of the interior: Tomo Yarmush
Photo of the owners: Piotr Porebsky for Forbes
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