I sat at one of the sidewalk tables of Restauracja Kultura, watching an inordinate number of Poles clad in New York and Brooklyn tee shirts and baseball caps stroll along the old Royal Route. Across the street, the statue of Adam Mickiewicz (a true Polish Renaissance man: poet, dramatist, essayist, publicist, translator, professor, and political activist) watches over the park in which it resides, and the Carmelite Church, with its double belfries that resemble oversized censers, stands as one of the few buildings in the city not heavily damaged or destroyed during World War II.

The lights on the sidewalk exhibits of U.S.-Polish friendship began to stutter on as dusk fell, and I started to review my menu. Restauracja Kultura prides itself on acquiring its ingredients from producers who are ecologically responsible and pass along only natural products. That level of quality and freshness comes through in the flavors of every course at this outstanding establishment.

Try This: Start with cold and hot—a chilled Polish lager and a warming soup, either the fantastic creamy white asparagus soup with truffle olive oil, or the traditional Polish sour soup with sausage and hard-boiled egg. The duck breast with creamy chanterelles and new potatoes with fresh dill is a perfect main course, but you may also enjoy one of the pierogi offerings, such as those stuffed with veal and forest mushrooms, with sage butter. For dessert, sample the innovative meringue with mascarpone and mango cream.