Borsch
Borsch is a very traditional Russian beets-based stew. It is typically very heavy, savory, and perfect for cold winter nights. I think traditionally it came to be as a way to combine whatever vegetables were available with scraps of meat and fattiness into a hot stew. But I obviously had the option to use more … Continue reading
Bistro Gambrinus, CA
Bistro Gambrinus Cuisine: European Bistro, Gastro Pub, Russian Neighborhood: NoPa Price: $10-15 appetizers, sub $20 entrées Phone: 415.221.7777 Address: 1813 Fulton Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 Hours: Sunday-Thursday 12pm-10pm, Friday-Saturday 12pm-11pm Bistro Gambrinus, aptly named after the legendary King Gambrinus, patron of beer, serves 30 different draft beers, 42 bottle beers, and even 2 non-alcoholic … Continue reading
Russian Bath Sports Bar, NYC
Russian Bath Sports Bar Cuisine: Russian Neighborhood: Brighton Beach, Brooklyn Price: don’t remember prices, but definitely cheaper than most Russian places in Brighton Phone: 718-332-1676 Address: 1200 Gravesend Neck Road, Brooklyn, NY11229 I don’t know if this technically qualifies as a standalone restaurant, but the food here is so authentically Russian and so delicious that … Continue reading
Mama Goose’s Golubtsy
After tasting the stuffed cabbage rolls at Sammy’s Roumanian Steak House, Jen and I had been craving this dish at home. This dish is common in many ethnic cuisines of Europe and Asia, and consists of cooked cabbage leaves wrapped around a variety of fillings. In Europe, the dish traditionally uses meat as a filling … Continue reading
Rasputin, NYC
Rasputin Cuisine: Russian, Global Fusion Neighborhood: Brooklyn Price: $100 minimum per person Phone: (718) 332-8111 Address: 2670 Coney Island Avenue, NYC 11235 Prior to last summer, my only ventures into the microcosm of Brighton Beach have been with my family. The neighborhood gets its nicknames of “Moscow on the Hudson” and “Little Odessa” for a … Continue reading
Vinigret Salad
This salad is a very popular Russian dish that features the often stereotyped Russian staples of potatoes and beets. It shares many of its ingredients with Olivye, and so the two are frequently served simultaneously at large dinners during the salad/appetizer course. It is often referred to as “Vinaigrette Salad” on American websites, which makes … Continue reading
Russian Côtelettes
The term côtelettes is of French origin, meaning cutlet or chop. In Russia, côtelettes has to come to refer to any sort of ground meat mixture formed into patties. For a formal Russian dinner, the serving order of the meal goes cold, hot, then cold. Typically cold soups like Holodnik and a variety of salads … Continue reading
Olivye (Russian Potato Salad)
From living with my Belarussian roommate and thus sharing a kitchen with her, I have come to realize how much Russian/Belarussian people love their potatoes, mayonnaise, dill and pickles. The oliyve (potato salad) dish combines all these national favorites. Russian cuisine is intriguing to me because there is very little overlap of ingredients with the … Continue reading
Fried Home-Style Potatoes (assuming your home is Russia)
Another savory recipe from my Belarussian roommate! Natalya had taken me and several friends to the famed Tatiana restaurant located in Brighton Beach. This glitzy Russian palace/night club features a dining experience unlike any other. From the tome of a menu to the constant flow of vodka to the crazy production that is the weekend … Continue reading
Russian Salad (Salat)
Another recipe contribution from my Belarussian roomie – Russian salad or salat! To stick with the whole Russian theme, this salad is a great complement to Holodnik (Russian cold soup). Furthermore, because the majority of the ingredients are the same, it is very convenient to make both dishes at the same time for an overall … Continue reading
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