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Hotel Mikolajki in the Polish town of the same name houses the Yachtova restaurant. Diners enjoy views of Lake Mikolajskie through the restaurant's many windows or from the terrace.

Hotel Mikolajki in the Polish town of the same name houses the Yachtova restaurant. Diners enjoy views of Lake Mikolajskie through the restaurant's many windows or from the terrace. (Immanuel Johnson/Stars and Stripes)

Hotel Mikolajki in the Polish town of the same name houses the Yachtova restaurant. Diners enjoy views of Lake Mikolajskie through the restaurant's many windows or from the terrace.

Hotel Mikolajki in the Polish town of the same name houses the Yachtova restaurant. Diners enjoy views of Lake Mikolajskie through the restaurant's many windows or from the terrace. (Immanuel Johnson/Stars and Stripes)

Beef with a signature sauce, served with potatoes and vegetables, is one of the main courses available at the Yachtova restaurant in Mikolajki, Poland. The sign in the background says that the table has been disinfected, one of many preventive measures the restaurant takes against the coronavirus.

Beef with a signature sauce, served with potatoes and vegetables, is one of the main courses available at the Yachtova restaurant in Mikolajki, Poland. The sign in the background says that the table has been disinfected, one of many preventive measures the restaurant takes against the coronavirus. (Immanuel Johnson/Stars and Stripes)

Tender chicken on a bed of mashed potatoes, drizzled with gravy and served with vegetables, is an excellent choice at the Yachtova restaurant in Mikolajki, Poland, May 31, 2020.

Tender chicken on a bed of mashed potatoes, drizzled with gravy and served with vegetables, is an excellent choice at the Yachtova restaurant in Mikolajki, Poland, May 31, 2020. (Immanuel Johnson/Stars and Stripes)

Irish coffee is one of the drinks available at the Yachtova restaurant in Mikolajki, Poland. The sweet, whipped cream-topped coffee with a punch also doubles as dessert.

Irish coffee is one of the drinks available at the Yachtova restaurant in Mikolajki, Poland. The sweet, whipped cream-topped coffee with a punch also doubles as dessert. (Immanuel Johnson/Stars and Stripes)

A slice of black raspberry cake is a tasty dessert option at the Yachtova restaurant in Mikolajki, Poland.

A slice of black raspberry cake is a tasty dessert option at the Yachtova restaurant in Mikolajki, Poland. (Immanuel Johnson/Stars and Stripes)

An aerial shot, taken with a drone, of the town of Mikolajki, Poland, in the country's northeastern lake district. Lake Mikolajskie is in the foreground and Yachtova restaurant is at the bottom left of the picture.

An aerial shot, taken with a drone, of the town of Mikolajki, Poland, in the country's northeastern lake district. Lake Mikolajskie is in the foreground and Yachtova restaurant is at the bottom left of the picture. (Immanuel Johnson/Stars and Stripes)

Mikolajki is a hidden gem of a town in Poland’s northeastern lake district, offering breathtaking views of nature and wildlife, historical buildings and five-star dining at an affordable price at the Yachtova Restaurant.

About a half-hour drive from the Bemowo Piskie Training Area, where U.S. troops lead a NATO battle group, the Yachtova is part of the Hotel Mikolajki, which sits on one of the lakes that the town is famous for, at least in Poland.

Diners have the option of sitting inside, in the modern dining area, which offers a panoramic view of Mikolajskie Lake through the many windows, or outside on the terrace, which offers the same calming views. Weather permitting, I’d recommend sitting outside, but Polish weather isn’t always conducive to outdoor dining.

The menu features an array of Polish dishes for breakfast and dinner and a limited number of seasonal dishes. A set menu or a la carte dining are available, and if you’re flummoxed by the names of typical Polish foods, like pierogi or bigos, the staff are happy to offer recommendations for what to eat, and what beverage would go well with the meal.

I ate at the restaurant a few times on a recent trip to Poland. For appetizers, there was the traditional Polish beef tartare, which was light and had a colorful, visually appealing presentation. The fish soup with sour cream captured different flavors in a spoon.

One main course dish that stood out to me was the chicken served on a bed of mashed potatoes surrounded by vegetables and drizzled with gravy. It was a simple dish, but I’d give it nearly five stars. The only reason it lost half a point in my rating was that the peas and carrots were a bit salty for my taste.

A local brew called Zywiec married perfectly with the meal, and an Irish coffee wrapped up the experience. Zywiec was the only Polish beer the restaurant had on tap, but the Yachtova also offers bottled beers, cocktails and soft drinks.

In addition to serving great food at an affordable price, the Yachtova takes the fight against the coronavirus seriously. The socially distanced tables are thoroughly disinfected between customers, and there is hand sanitizer just outside the restaurant. The staff wear face masks at all times, and diners are required to wear them when walking around, but can remove them when seated at a table. The face mask rules apply to all guests, whether dining indoors or on the outdoor terrace.

Johnson.Immanuel@stripes.com Twitter: Manny_Stripes

Address: Aleja Spacerowa 11, 11-730 Mikołajki, Poland

Hours: Monday-Sunday, breakfast 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m., dinner 4 p.m.-8 p.m. Times are subject to change. A la carte menu available until 10 p.m.

Prices: Between $5 and $24.99

Menu: English, Polish

Phone: +48 87 420 60 00

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