Restaurant Relax Blog

Polish Food, Culture & Stories

Since 1997, we’ve been serving Polish food on Newel Street and collecting a few stories along the way. Stories about Polish food, culture, and traditions that traveled across the Atlantic, the dishes generations grew up with, and the holidays that still bring people together around the table.

Here, we share a little of the history, humor, and everyday life behind Polish food. You’ll find celebrations worth remembering, local Greenpoint stories, forgotten characters, familiar flavors, and the occasional confession about pierogi.

Some stories begin in Poland. Others begin right here in Brooklyn. All of them are connected by food, memory, and the people who have walked through the doors of Restaurant Relax.

Pull up a chair.
There is always another story to tell.

Thanks a Lot Julian!

Thanks a Lot Julian!

Thank you so much, Julian, for featuring us in your '5 Polish Greenpoint Eateries' post on Instagram. Your professional work as an influencer truly brings the vibrant culinary scene of New York to life. We absolutely love your Polish accent - it adds such a unique and...

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World Bigos Day 2024

World Bigos Day 2024

Bigos has been a staple in Polish cuisine and culture for centuries, as evidenced by its mentions in literature and culinary texts. The history of Bigos, also known as Polish Hunter’s Stew, can be traced back to the medieval era. Initially, Bigos was prepared with...

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From Nobel to Oscars: ‘The Peasants’ Animated Journey

From Nobel to Oscars: ‘The Peasants’ Animated Journey

Nearly a century after Władysław Reymont's Nobel Prize triumph for "Chłopi" (The Peasants), his literary classic has taken a vibrant leap onto the global cinematic scene. This animated adaptation, a brainchild of the creators behind “Loving Vincent,” has made a...

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Happy New Year 2024!

Happy New Year 2024!

May 2024 bring you a feast of happiness, health, and success. Thank you for dining with us at Restaurant Relax. Happy New Year! As we welcome 2024 with excitement, let's also remember our furry friends. Fireworks, while beautiful, can be terrifying for animals. The...

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The Surprising History of the Christmas Tree

The Surprising History of the Christmas Tree

Christmas Tree at home generated in MidjourneyQueen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their children admiring a Christmas tree. GETTY IMAGESChristmas trees, rooted in ancient winter traditions, symbolize eternal life. Before Christianity, evergreens were used during the...

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Christmas Menu 2023

Christmas Menu 2023

Starting the Holiday Cooking at Restaurant Relax! Welcome to the magical time of Christmas! We are proud to announce that Relax Restaurant is now offering traditional Polish Christmas dishes for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We have prepared a menu full of...

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Happy Thanksgiving 2023

Happy Thanksgiving 2023

Happy Thanksgiving from All of Us at Relax! Dear Valued Patrons, As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, it's that wonderful time of the year again - Thanksgiving! On this special occasion, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to you for your continuous...

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Polish Food, Culture & Stories

Polish food is only part of the story. Through our blog, we want to help our Greenpoint neighbors discover Polish traditions, history and the people whose memories have shaped our community. If you have an interesting family story, a memory of old Greenpoint, a Polish tradition worth preserving or a food story that deserves to be shared, we would love to hear from you. Think of it as food for thought — with real food as our way of saying thank you. If we select your original story for publication on the Restaurant Relax blog, a meal at Relax is on us.

Story Submission Guidelines

We welcome original stories connected to Polish food, traditions, family memories, Greenpoint or the history of the Polish community.

 

  • Please begin by sending us a short description of your story idea. You do not need to write the complete article first.
  • Stories must be original and should not have been copied from another publication.
  • Please make sure you have permission to share any photographs, personal memories or information about other people.
  • Restaurant Relax may edit submissions for clarity, length and style while preserving the meaning of the story.
  • Submission does not guarantee publication. We will contact you if we would like to develop your idea for the blog.
  • Authors whose original stories are selected and published will receive a complimentary meal at Restaurant Relax as our thank-you.
  • By submitting your story, you give Restaurant Relax permission to publish it on our website and promote it through our digital channels.

Have a story worth sharing? Send us your idea.

Submission Confirmation

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