The success of the Gourmet Romantyczna Restaurant is the result of the work of the entire team, but above all of Executive Chef Sławomir Kwaśniewski, whose craftsmanship and passion have defined the character of the restaurant for years. His cuisine tells a story – one rooted in respect for nature, tradition, and the region’s culinary heritage. Every dish is created with exceptional precision and care to showcase the very best of the culinary traditions of Masuria.

What does being a chef mean to you?
Sławomir Kwaśniewski: Above all, it is a passion, and even a way of life. It is a profession full of challenges, in which you simply have to enjoy what you do. What I value most about this work is the people I work with, as well as the satisfaction of the guests we cook for. I have been doing this for 20 years, and I cannot imagine myself doing anything else.

Which culinary traditions of the region do you value the most? Where do you find inspiration for your dishes?
What I value most is what surrounds us – the wonderful bounty of Warmia and Masuria, with its forests, lakes, farmland, and fields. Our menu is based primarily on Masurian fish, game, mushrooms, local cheeses, and herbs. I draw inspiration from the season – in the summer, that means wonderful early-season vegetables, young vegetables, edible flowers, and herbs. Then, I try to create light cuisine based on young fish, cheese, and white meat. We change the menu twice a year, with a spring–summer edition and a fall–winter edition. For the latter, we focus more on the gifts of the forest – game and mushrooms – as well as root vegetables. Our tasting menu offers a unique culinary experience, allowing our guests to discover a variety of flavors during a single dinner.

Romantyczna is a slow food restaurant. What exactly does that mean?
Above all, it means that our cuisine is natural and based on natural ingredients and seasonings. We do not use any flavor enhancers – we bring out the flavor of the products we work with. Our cuisine is focused above all on supporting local suppliers, from whom we source carefully selected, top-quality ingredients. And that is what the slow food philosophy is all about – taking care of what our region has to offer.

What led to the restaurant becoming the first and only restaurant in Western Masuria to receive a Michelin Guide recommendation?
I think it is the result of our daily, well-established routine – we consistently maintain a high standard and never stray from the path we have chosen. We never allow ourselves, for example, to lower our standards when we have fewer guests – the standard must be maintained at all times. I also believe that this distinction is thanks to the wonderful place where we work, from the excellent service and a kitchen full of people who are passionate about cooking to the restaurant’s interior design and unique atmosphere. We can see that Michelin has opened up to the whole of Poland, not just the major cities. We are extremely pleased that we stand out on the culinary map and that we have been recognized, even though we are not easy to reach, as the hotel is located practically in the middle of the Masurian meadows and forests, in the beautiful surroundings of Wzgórza Dylewskie. [laughs]

Is this recommendation the first step toward earning a Michelin star in the future?
I hope so. For me, as a chef, it would be a dream come true. We have already made our mark in the Michelin world, so I think we are moving in the right direction and that we are now closer to achieving that goal.

Sławomir Kwaśniewski
Executive Chef Sławomir Kwaśniewski follows the slow food philosophy in his work. He focuses on local, seasonal ingredients, which form the foundation of his signature menu. In his interpretation, regional ingredients take on a new, refined dimension while remaining true to their roots. As a result, the cuisine at the Gourmet Romantyczna Restaurant delights not only with its flavors, but also tells the story of the region – its nature, culture, and traditions.