Welcome to Broadway Stages' Spotlight, where we feature local shops, restaurants, organizations, individuals, and venues. October is Polish American Heritage Month. Join Broadway Stages in honoring Polish Americans' values, culture, and contributions during this observance! This week, we dine on pierogies at Pierozek in Greenpoint!

If you don't know, pierogies are Polish pan-fried dumplings filled with potatoes and other ingredients, such as eggs, dill, and scallions. The word Pierozek translates to "little pierogi." But in Greenpoint, it means so much more. It is a taste of home or a journey to Europe. Some say the restaurant Pierozek in Greenpoint ranks above others. In fact, it is the Michelin Guide's only Polish restaurant in America.

Michelin rated Pierozek "Bib Gourmand," which recognizes excellence at a lower price point. The guide called the cuisine "fluffy and heartwarming." A Yelp reviewer noted, "What a gem. The ingredients are fresh, everything on the menu is fantastic, and the whole place exudes a cool BKN vibe. The service is warm and wonderful. The pierogi collaboration concept is an absolute winner. Notwithstanding the fact that I'm 0% Polish, this feels like home cooking. Bravo." And a Google Reviewer added, "This place serves the best pierogi I have ever had outside of Poland. Kudos to the owner for keeping it so authentic and delicious. Service was excellent with attention to every detail."

Pierozek makes 1,000 to 3,000 pierogi — by hand — each day. A traditional pierogi is filled with potatoes, eggs, dill, and scallions. They can also come with sauerkraut and mushroom, meat (pork shoulder), jalapeño, and spinach. Pierozek also offers Pierogi Tatarskie, filled with potatoes, eggs, dill, and scallions and garnished with sizzling bacon. Many swear by the Kaszanka Pierogi, which offers lightly roasted buckwheat mixed with beef and pig blood sausage and spices. 

But Pierozek has been putting their own spin on the pierogi. They offer Murray's Cheese pierogies filled with Murray's savory Irish Cheddar, bacon, and creamy potato topped with crispy bacon and fresh chives. Or perhaps the Paulie Gee pierogi, a collaboration the restaurant is currently doing with nearby pizzeria Paulie Gee's. These dumplings are filled with soppressata, tomato sauce, mozzarella, and pecorino, then drizzled with hot honey. And if you have a sweet tooth, the raspberry and sweet cheese pierogies are sure to please.

To accompany the delicate parcels, diners can feast on a hearty bowl of borscht, a crispy croquette, and some golabki (cabbage stuffed with pork, rice, and tomato-basil sauce). Add some kielbasa or a seasonal kaszanka blood sausage to your order, and make sure to include some whole-grain mustard! And wash it all down with a cocktail. Consider a Polish Old Fashioned with plum vodka, lemon juice, and Angostura bitters and a czarna porzeczka with blackcurrant vodka, lime juice, and orange liqueur.

Pierozek is open Monday through Saturday from Noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday from Noon to 8 p.m. You can game-plan your visit by viewing their menu here, or you can order online. You can feast your eyes using their Instagram page and keep in the loop on Facebook.

October is Polish American Heritage Month, and Greenpoint is the place to be. Alexandra Kucharski, proprietor of Pierozek, told the Michelin Guide, "It means everything to us to keep the Polish tradition alive here for our grandparents. We're happy that we still have a couple of generations left, and we hope that they keep staying here."

Broadway Stages knows Greenpoint offers the best Polish food in New York City. Choosing where you want to satiate your appetite can be hard. But now you know that Pierozek needs to be high on your list. We encourage you to have a meal at Pierozek and immerse yourself in the rich Polish culture throughout Greenpoint. And when you do, be sure to tell them Broadway Stages sent you!