Thursday, June 17, 2010

Fine Dining in Russia


What did we eat in Russia, you ask? We tried the traditional and the new. For lunch, we really liked the pirozhki, which are stuffed pies, both savory and sweet.


We chose the chicken stuffing and then lemon for dessert, but there were many more options, including salmon, beef, cheese and a variety of fruits.


The next day we had lunch in the countryside at a typical family restaurant.


There were stuffed tomatoes, and stewed tomatoes and onions for starters,  


along with mushroom broth


and borscht with beets for a soup.


Our main course was cabbage wrapped pork stuffing.


Topping it off was blini filled with cranberries and vanilla ice cream. Truly a feast.


In a hurry one night before the ballet, a group of us decided to try the ultimate cross-over experience--
McDonalds!


It took 5 people to figure out how to order from the menu. It's not a quarter-pounder here, folks! I must say the fries were as tasty as ever!


And there was some green drink concoction that Shrek was promoting. I don't think it had vodka in it, but vodka was on every other table where we dined.



And the most ironic experience of all, was the pub just steps from our hotel doorway called Ye Olde Chelsea Arms, where we grabbed quick bites for dinner one evening. Too coincidental to be believed, but it was about the only sign we could read in the whole city. Yum yum--that's вкусная конфетка in Russian!!

6 comments:

  1. Wow! Looks like you ate much better than my parents when they went several years ago! Seems like all they remembered eating were potatoes!
    Thanks for all the great pics, Debi. Looks delicious!

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  2. How fun!! Thanks for sharing all the yumminess with us!

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  3. Believe that I have caught up on your posts about your Russian trip.
    Have done a little reading about Russian history but I have never come across such wonderful photographs. The opulence is just too much to take in - it fills the senses.

    When we visit family in Cleveland, Ohio, (doesn't have the same ring as St. Petersburg)
    we often buy perogies at the Ukrainian church.
    They are stuffed with various fillings, but I think that potatoes, and onions are among the most favorite. They must be kin (perhaps just the abbreviated, American version) to what you found but are much smaller, almost dumpling size. The pirozhkis in your pictures are gorgeous and seem to have designs on them.

    When you see McDonald's spelled in another language so different from ours you imagine that the experience is also going to be a little different.

    Great posts and photographs. Thank you.

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  4. I have had company and haven't been doing too much blogging, but just caught up on your last 3 Russian posts. Fascinating!

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  5. It's a pleasure to travel the globe with you, blog style! Thanks for taking the time to share such wonderful pictures and postings. Carol

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  6. What a fabulous trip Debi! The food looks delicious. Honestly there is a McDonalds in every city on earth - you can always count on those crispy fries!
    I'll check out your other Russia posts, the decoration looks gorgeous.
    Mimi

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