It was one of those glorious late-summer afternoons in Sopot when the last thing you wanted to do was sit indoors. Fortunately, at M15, you don’t have to.
“Here’s where M15 gets interesting.
As summer disappears and Sopot’s beach crowds head home, M15 doesn’t pack up and disappear with them. The restaurant moves its beachside dining indoors, keeping those beautiful sea views while swapping summer cocktails and lighter dishes for goose, venison and warming winter teas.
I found myself having lunch with the head chef, literally on the beach, with the Baltic stretching out in front of us. Sunshine, sea air, good conversation and, most importantly, seriously good food. Not a bad afternoon at the office.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevAnd then there’s the real winter attraction. Saunas. On the actual beach.
We got talking about what makes M15 tick. For the chef, the sea isn’t simply a pretty backdrop. It’s part of the restaurant’s identity.
Not tucked away in some hotel basement. Right there beside the Baltic, where you can sit in the heat watching the waves before stepping outside into the cold sea air.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevHis signature recommendation?
Cod with wasabi potato purée, paprika sauce and root vegetable granita. There’s also fish soup, Baltic sprats and rather clever cod pierogi with browned butter and chive oil.
The sauna season begins on 1 October, with sauna-master ceremonies featuring music, aromas and carefully choreographed heat rituals. There are evening sessions and weekend sunrise experiences, which the chef describes as particularly spectacular when the beach is deserted.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevAnd if fish isn’t your thing, there’s a 60-day dry-aged steak that the chef speaks about with the sort of affection most people reserve for their children.
Naturally, I asked about the inevitable Baltic plunge.
His advice?
Don’t overthink it. Apparently, the hardest part is taking that first step. For anyone not quite ready to throw themselves into the Baltic, there are also ice barrels waiting.
And his idea of the perfect M15 winter experience?
Cod pierogi, hot tea with honey, cinnamon and ginger, a sunset sauna ceremony and a quick dip in the sea.
Having enjoyed M15 in the summer sunshine, I reckon I owe the place a return visit when the temperature drops.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevI ended my afternoon at M15 with my feet in the Baltic, a cocktail in hand and absolutely no desire to be anywhere else. Not a bad way to finish a working day. But with those beach saunas calling, I reckon I’ll be back when the temperature drops. Next time, I’ll swap the cocktails for a sauna. The Baltic can do its worst.