USA, Canada / Polish Resturants in chicago [12]

I ate at both, they are excellent. Warszawa is in Santa Monica and is upscale, had gourmet piergi and duck. Polka is north of LA off of I-5, very good homestyle cooking.

USA, Canada / HOLY SATURDAY FOOD BELSSING IN YOUR AREA? [13]

Here in Denver, Colorado the Święconka tradition is alive and well. Today St Joseph's Polish Church had 4 different service times to have your basket blessed, and the church was full. We fill our basket with kiełbasa, a small ham (szanka), eggs, salt, horseradish, a babka, cheese, a candle, some greenery, butter and a lamb-shaped cake.

After a brief service describing the symbolism of each thing in the basket (all in Polish of course), the priest came down the aisle to bless the baskets with holy water.

Polonia in Denver is a vibrant, growing and active community. My children attend Polish School on Sundays and dance in the Polish Folk Dance group Krakowiacy on Friday nights. The church, rectory and school is in a section of Denver that used to be the eastern european immigrant section of Denver 100 years ago, but is now hispanic. However, the church is probably larger now than ever in it's history as Poles continue to drive in from the suburbs each week. Since the church is probably 90% first/second generation Polonia, it is like walking into Poland on the weekends.

Travel / Traveling to Mielec, is there any restaurant recommendations? [7]

Why do Americans have to be a "something-American"?

Are there no "Americans". What's wrong with being an "American"?

Another grumpy person bringing up a topic that has been beaten to death on other threads?

If you are not an American, you will never understand the diverse cultural makeup of this country and what that means. If you are an American, then you obviously have no connection to your roots, are not a 2nd or 3rd generation offspring, or live in an area of the country where you are not exposed to this. If you are Polish, then you should be happy that others are proud of the heritage that we share. Believe me, during the time that I grew up it was anything but the "popular" thing to admit you had Polish roots in America. Unless someone is a native american indian, they are genetically something-American.

No doubt I am an American - I have served my country for 24 years as a US Marine and have earned the right to be an American more than most others that are here. I also am Polish by blood, heritage and upbringing. Nothing can change that either. I am also not your "stereotypical" American - I have extensively traveled, lived and worked across the world in over 24 countries and speak 2 languages in addition to English. I understand and appreciate many cultures, but can't (and would never change) the Polish household that I was raised in.

So, do you have anything to contribute concerning restaurants in Mielec or are you just trolling a website to complain?

Travel / Traveling to Mielec, is there any restaurant recommendations? [7]

In that case, I clearly owe you an apology. Unfortunately I have lumped you in in with others on the site that have no connection with the purpose of this site other than to dig at Americans, or Brits, that are proud of their heritage. What some don't realize is that you will find the same pride in many Americans of Italian, German, Irish, Greek, etc heritage who also are Americans first.

I guess I just believe that having an understanding of any culture can only be a good thing - even if it is not in a person's genetic or cultural heritage. Having been throughout Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and North and Central America I have always been able to find something good about people (although sometimes you have to dig a little deeper :)

The stereotype of arrogant and ignorant Americans who only know their own country and culture is not always accurate.