Eliksir is the first and only restaurant in Poland to earn a green Michelin star. The success that many restaurateurs dream of is the result of passion, commitment and hard work for sustainable gastronomy.
Paweł Wątor and Mateusz Trzeciak – two pillars of Eliksir. Invariably together for 15 years they have been building the success of the restaurant. A lot has happened during this time, as Eliksir was originally intended to be a cocktail bar, then became known for food pairing – excellent food and high-alcohol and non-alcoholic cocktails. In the meantime, sustainable gastronomy efforts also added to the package, which became the dot on the i’s of distinction from Michelin. The Eliksir restaurant impressed the inspectors of the famous guide, and consistent eco-activities convinced them to leave a green star here.
– When running a business, we have always taken a very relaxed approach to things that happen around us. Even if we knew we were doing a good job, we still had no idea on what terms certain things are awarded, especially by Michelin, so we preferred to approach it on the basis of, if it works out, it will be excellent, and if it doesn’t work out, it’s hard, after all, we’re still doing a good job, “ says Pawel Wątor.
And it happened! When on June 20 the news cooled in the media about which Pomeranian restaurants had received stars, awards and recommendations from the Michelin guide, the Eliksir team could not believe it. And then the phone calls rang out, one after another. With congratulations, questions, invitations to an interview. And so the small restaurant from Gdansk became famous in Poland and around the world. The Micheline craze is still going on, and Eliksir is riding that wave, taking reservations for tables that have become an extremely valuable space on the Pomeranian gastronomic map.
Star Hunters – a dinner full of secrets
Passionate people have it so, that success does not allow them to rest on their laurels, but, on the contrary, motivates them to continue. This is how the series of mystery dinners “Star Hunters” was created, which Eliksir also realizes with Pomorskie Prestige. If you think you’ve seen everything in gastronomy, have eaten almost every dish in the world and nothing can surprise you, buy a ticket for Star Hunters. This is a series of mystery dinners that will surprise you in every aspect. You won’t know where the dinner will be held, what kind of menu they will serve and who will prepare it. A true mystery for foodies and star hunters. We recommend this experience.
Eliksir – where to go for very good food and excellent cocktails in Gdansk?
The base of the menu at Eliksir is primarily local, organic products. The first page in the menu is dedicated to this very locality. We learn from it that Elixir uses, among other things, its own preserves, pickles, curds and cheeses in its dishes. Further listed are the farms and manufactories from which it sources, among other things: cheese, pork or eggs. Transparency is to be commended, as guests can see exactly what they are eating.
The tasting menu is divided into meat and vegetarian and can be ordered in two versions – full and abbreviated. It is worth starting your adventure with Eliksir precisely with the tasting menu, as it is a culinary adventure through all the flavors on the menu. After such a set, you will already know perfectly well which items from the menu have stolen your heart, although there is a high probability that you will not be able to decide, because all the dishes are insanely delicious.
Sustainable gastronomy, or how to get a green star?
Eliksir has introduced a number of measures, including localization of products, increasing vegetarian and vegan items on the menu, improving waste segregation and introducing filtered water instead of bottled water. A full list of implemented solutions is available on the restaurant’s official website. For several years, Eliksir has been educating culinary school students across Poland free of charge and inviting them to the restaurant for hands-on classes. From now on, educational activities will take an even higher place on the list of tasks of the owners of this place. A Michelin distinction is a great honor, but also a great responsibility. In the case of the Elixir restaurant, which was the first to be awarded a green star in Poland, this responsibility is even greater. As the owners themselves say – they feel obliged to spread the word for sustainable gastronomy. This attitude is sure to result in interesting projects.