Mari Vanna @ Prix Fixe Lunch

Mari Vanna: 2 Course Prix Fixe Lunch: $24 per person. Monday-Friday 12:00P.M-4:00P.M

Although Russian cuisine is seldom recognized among the finer, gourmet food served in New York City, Mari Vanna seeks to mitigate any pre-conceived notions towards Eastern European fare. Nestled on a quiet block in the flatiron/Gramercy neighborhood, Mari Vanna has quickly ascended as one of the most popular restaurants in NYC. Known as much for its dynamic variety of vodka as its delectable Russian specialty dishes, Mari Vanna serves some of the most authentic and exquisite Russian fare outside of Moscow. In addition to a quintessential repository for exceptional dinner parties (and a fantastic all you can eat/drink Sunday Brunch), Mari Vanna serves a commendable $24 two course Prix Fixe Lunch.

 

Appetizer: Borsch

Verdict: When assessing the most identifiable signature Eastern European dishes, Borsch is one of the most recognizable. Combining beets, vegetable and beef, Borsch is not only one of the most unique, but also one of the best Russian specialties. Overall, the soup, which is one of Mari Vanna’s signature dishes, was exceptional.

Entree: Chicken Stroganoff

Verdict: While Stroganoff is a traditional Russian specialty that is typically served with beef rather than chicken, Chicken Stroganoff is a lighter version that is more ideal for lunch. Nevertheless, Chicken Stroganoff which is akin to a Chicken Marsala dish, is prepared in a white wine and cream concocted sauce with mushrooms and a side of buckwheat kasha. Overall, the chicken was an overall success, as it was full of distinct and sumptuous flavor. In addition, the mushrooms and buckwheat kasha complemented the chicken well.

Mari Vanna:

41 East 20th Street,

New York, NY, 10003

P:  + 1 (212) 777-1955

Vogue Cafe @ Rabbit Filet in Moscow

While communism no longer exists in Moscow, status and materialism prevail throughout the dynamic city as a keen aspect of Russian lifestyle. Therefore, branding a restaurant around the iconic Vogue Magazine should not surprise anyone. The Vogue Cafe, which is located in the upscale central Moscow neighborhood, in close proximity to the Red Square and Kremlin, offers an exceptional lunch full of exotic dishes that utilizes fresh local produce. Despite the branding with Vogue, which would suggest a nominal strategem aimed to incentivize customers and tourists to dine at the restaurant for the image rather than the food, the cuisine and scene is actually quite good at Vogue Cafe.  Among many attractive entrees, I went with the Rabbit Filet with a side of Risotto. The rabbit, which was garnished with a pleasant creamy sauce, was both flavorful and succulent. Although the portion was minimal, the side of risotto, which was served fried in the form of a square, added a nice complement to the dish that sufficiently mitigated my appetite. As much as Vogue Cafe underscores Moscow’s obsession with status and image, it also accentuates the exceptional culinary product and standards that the city adhere’s to today, starkly contrasting to the days of impoverished citizens and social plight that pervaded throughout the era of communism.

Vogue Cafe:
7/9 Kuznetsky Most, 123056,

Moscow, Russia

P: + 7 495 623 17 01

W: Eng.NovikovGroup.RU

Video: New York Taste Event 2013

On Monday November 11th, New York Magazines Hosted its 15th Annual New York Taste Event featuring 40 of the city’s most recognized Chefs and Mixologists. Chef’s including Jonathan Benno, Paul Liebrandt, Joe NG, Dominique Ansel, Francois Payard and Richard Kuo among others were featured in the event.

Dinner and Drinks with Pearl and Ash’s Richard Kuo