Food is an important part of the Russian culture. I've always known this fact - I was probably born with this knowledge engrained in me. But here it's been proven time and time again.
Here are some encounters I have had with food so far.
1. Tea, always:
My aunt's brother, who lives in Moscow, picked me up from the airport and drove me to my grandmother's house. When we arrived, after many hugs and kisses, we were ushered into the kitchen where a giant plate or sirnikyi and freshly brewed tea were waiting for us. Despite the fact that Misha had to go to work, where he would be having lunch in an hour, and that I had been fed on the plane not even three hours ago, there was no turning back. We had entered the kitchen and now we would eat all together and enjoy every bite. That's the way it is - there's no such thing as 'stopping by' or 'dropping your granddaughter off'. There's always tea.
I admit, I enjoyed those sirnikyi a lot. (Mama, ask Galia for the recipe...)
4. Food Courts:
For the most part, Russian food courts are the same as American ones - you have your typical fast-food place (Mc Donald's, Texas Roadhouse), 'ethnic' food (sushi, Chinese fast-food), Subway, and hot dog place. Here, however, there are a few more unique places that I prefer. There's a baked potato stand, where you can choose your desired filling; a classic-Russian fast-food place that features borsch, pirogi, blini, and olivie; and a (random) Greek/multi-cultural salad bar / buffet-style eatery, which is my personal favorite non-Russian place to eat because you can taste a little bit of everything for a good price.
All in all, unless you have someone waiting to feed you when you return home, food courts aren't a half-bad place to eat.
5. McCafé/McDonalds:
Totally acceptable, totally delicious. You won't die or have a stomachache after eating there, and it's very well-priced.
America: your Grade F beef and inedible 'food' can learn a lot from Russia.
6. Next course:
Here, it is engrained in the people that there must be a first, second, and third course. First: soup or salad…..usually soup, always with bread: borsh. Second: a hardy 'main course', something like potatoes and meat. Third: dessert-y dish such as a baked apple.
So it gets confusing when after having eaten a (heaping) bowl of borsch, I say that I'm full. Apparently soup and bread aren't enough.
Not quite 'lost in translation', but still getting acclimated to the everyday Russian life and Grandmothers' care.
That's it for now, I'm being called to come eat. ;)
Here are some encounters I have had with food so far.
1. Tea, always:
My aunt's brother, who lives in Moscow, picked me up from the airport and drove me to my grandmother's house. When we arrived, after many hugs and kisses, we were ushered into the kitchen where a giant plate or sirnikyi and freshly brewed tea were waiting for us. Despite the fact that Misha had to go to work, where he would be having lunch in an hour, and that I had been fed on the plane not even three hours ago, there was no turning back. We had entered the kitchen and now we would eat all together and enjoy every bite. That's the way it is - there's no such thing as 'stopping by' or 'dropping your granddaughter off'. There's always tea.
I admit, I enjoyed those sirnikyi a lot. (Mama, ask Galia for the recipe...)
2. Grandma's cooking:
The greatest joy I can bring Galia is asking her to feed me. I came home today and told her that I was hungry; she repeatedly exclaimed how happy she was about that. She gave me a big bowl of borsch and sat across from me while I ate, smiling from ear to ear, watching me eat.
The greatest joy I can bring Galia is asking her to feed me. I came home today and told her that I was hungry; she repeatedly exclaimed how happy she was about that. She gave me a big bowl of borsch and sat across from me while I ate, smiling from ear to ear, watching me eat.
3. Day Out:
Whenever anyone has been out for the day and then returns home, it is assumed that he or she is has not eaten and is famished. The host is very disappointed when it turns out to be otherwise… Basically, eating out is now prohibited.
Whenever anyone has been out for the day and then returns home, it is assumed that he or she is has not eaten and is famished. The host is very disappointed when it turns out to be otherwise… Basically, eating out is now prohibited.
For the most part, Russian food courts are the same as American ones - you have your typical fast-food place (Mc Donald's, Texas Roadhouse), 'ethnic' food (sushi, Chinese fast-food), Subway, and hot dog place. Here, however, there are a few more unique places that I prefer. There's a baked potato stand, where you can choose your desired filling; a classic-Russian fast-food place that features borsch, pirogi, blini, and olivie; and a (random) Greek/multi-cultural salad bar / buffet-style eatery, which is my personal favorite non-Russian place to eat because you can taste a little bit of everything for a good price.
All in all, unless you have someone waiting to feed you when you return home, food courts aren't a half-bad place to eat.
5. McCafé/McDonalds:
Totally acceptable, totally delicious. You won't die or have a stomachache after eating there, and it's very well-priced.
America: your Grade F beef and inedible 'food' can learn a lot from Russia.
6. Next course:
Here, it is engrained in the people that there must be a first, second, and third course. First: soup or salad…..usually soup, always with bread: borsh. Second: a hardy 'main course', something like potatoes and meat. Third: dessert-y dish such as a baked apple.
So it gets confusing when after having eaten a (heaping) bowl of borsch, I say that I'm full. Apparently soup and bread aren't enough.
Not quite 'lost in translation', but still getting acclimated to the everyday Russian life and Grandmothers' care.
That's it for now, I'm being called to come eat. ;)
Very interesting pictures of your grandmas: it looks like you took after one, while Katya after another... Is it just my imagination?
ReplyDeleteCheers from CA, Andrei B.
I guess so! Who looks like whom more? :)
DeleteSend us some of your California warmth and take some of our Russian cold with you! :P
Oh my gosh, McCafe has the beeeest dessert of all time! You have to go. Food wise, check out FAQ cafe on Tverskaya (someone told me it moved recently) - super cool ambiance and I think you would love it ;) We used to hang there back in the day AND they have jazz nights from time to time
ReplyDeleteI know!! McCafe was great - not even comparable to the American version.
DeleteOkay, awesome! Thanks for the suggestion. It would be so interesting to see what Jazz in Russia is like. I'll be sure to check it out and write about it ;)