Here’s a quick look at the great time I had at the 35th Annual Baltimore Ukrainian Festival 2 weeks ago… definitely looking forward to going again next year: September 8th and 9th 2012. (These people are organized!)
Had another Meetup at Cafe Assorti this weekend. Today I ordered the Assorti Blueberry Pancakes, and they were delicious! I’m not sure how Russian they were, but they definitely aren’t the traditional American style - they were thicker and and denser. I seem to remember my roommate making something like these in Volgograd (although I don’t seem to remember her sharing them with me). Yum!! Are there any Russian/Eastern European restaurants you’ve been checking out in your area?
Getting movies for free at your local library is a great way to take a chance on something you wouldn’t even risk $1 on at Redbox. This weekend, Муж and I couldn’t resist picking up TransSiberian for obvious reasons, even though it seemed like the kind of thing we’d never watch.
Going in, I had pretty low expectations and I must say, they were exceeded! Don’t get me wrong - the movie’s not great, but it was worth watching if nothing else but for the fun of the train scenes which is one of my favorite Russian experiences. (You might also enjoy the IMBD page of “goofs” I just noticed…)
By the way, I am seriously planning on doing this trip sometime (minus some of the excitement experienced by the characters in the movie). Anyone ever done it? What did you think?
For a limited time only, my old blog over at Wordpress is viewable again! I used to blog over there until I found tumblr, which I find much easier and love the community aspect of it. In my haste to make the switch over, I sort of left my old blog behind without knowing how to retrieve my material. So I’ve been working on that before my account expires. So until then, feel free to pop over and check out the archive.
My next step will be to repost some of the content over here…
This little stand of goodies was between our hotel and the metro station, so it quickly became our morning tradition. I would get a tiny little cup of coffee (= instant cappuccino) and 1 or 2 пышки - which are like donuts, but smaller, a little greasier, covered in powdered sugar, and in my opinion much better! Oh, this picture brings back fond memories!
Napolean Cake at Cafe Assorti
I wanted to write a simple post about a wonderful Sunday afternoon I recently had at Cafe Assorti in Arlington, VA. But as I did a little research, I kept finding more and more tidbits of information I wanted to include, so let me break it down like this:
1. As part of the Russian Meetup I organize, I recently had a wonderful Sunday brunch at Cafe Assorti in Arlinton, Va.
2. More on Cafe Assorti - If you are in the DC area, you must check out Cafe Assorti. Self-described as “a fast-casual restaurant featuring homemade food from European, Russian and Kazakh cuisines”. The food is good, reasonably priced, and they serve alcohol. Service is friendly. And one of my favorite things: they did not mind doing separate checks for around 40 people!!! Also, everything we ordered came a la cart. They just brought it out as it was ready. This was perfect for the open house-type gathering we had.
3. My take on Napolean Cake - Not wanting to miss dessert, I ordered a пирожок с картошкой (potato pirozhok) and a piece of Наполеон (Napolean Cake). A friend of mine had ordered this cake the last time we were here, and I just had to try it. It wasn’t really what I was expecting - the layers were crispy and there was creme in between them. (Kind of like a giant piece of baklava without the honey and not as sweet.) I thought it would be more soft - like tirimisu or something. Either way it was quite tasty, and caught the attention of the whole table when it arrived. (It was huge - this picture does not do it justice.)
4. More on Napolean Cake - I was a skeptical, and am still unsure if this cake is actually Russian or French, or something else, but it seems that the Russians have at least claimed it. Here is a blog post I found that gives more details on the issue, as well as a recipe.
5. Irrelevant Tidbit about Mille Feulle - I found it funny that another name for the French version of this cake is Mille Feulle, which means ‘a thousand layers’ because I just happened to remember that that it is the name of the type of dress that Carrie Bradshaw wears in an episode of Sex and the City. (Sorry for the non-Russian related tidbit. I couldn’t resist.)
6. A new Russian cooking blog - I just wanted to mention that the writer of the blog where I found this information has started a new blog: Gastronomical Me, about Russian Cooking, which seems really good, so check it out!
Russian Food Guide Pyramid
When I saw this Russian food guide pyramid, I thought it was a joke, but as it turns out, I don’t think it’s supposed to be a joke. I still think it’s kind of funny. I hope that doesn’t offend anyone?
Okay, I guess it makes sense - they have different things available in Russia than we do here. But do you not find it funny that vodka is on the food guide pyramid? (Granted, only in the “eat sparingly” section, but still.) And the only fruits listed are prunes and dried fruits? Now come on, I’ve been to Russia - they have fruit.
If you’re interested you can check out Food Guide Pyramids from other countries.
Exporting Raymond - Watch It!
I finally got around to watching Exporting Raymond this weekend and I loved it! It’s the story of the remaking of Everyobody Loves Raymond for Russian audiences. (And don’t worry - I don’t like Everybody Loves Raymond either, but this movie is hilarious!)
As Russophiles, we know that some things in Russia are done a little bit differently than they’re done here, right? But to see the creator of the show, Phil Rosenthal, experiencing it all for himself takes me back to when I was there. But the thing about this guy, is he is stubborn - he doesn’t just accept everything for what it’s worth. So as painful and as funny as it is to watch, it’s why, in the end, the show is such a success.
And bonus! They give you 2 full episodes of “Everybody Loves Kostya” on the disc, so really - you have no excuse! Go rent this at Redbox right now for $1!
It’s the most wonderful time…of the year!
Hey guys, fall is a’comin, and while I’m sad to say “до свидания лето” I am excited to say “привет” to one of my favorite seasons: Russian Festival Season!
Here are a few you can check out if you are in the DC area:
1. First up, we’ve got the Baltimore Ukrainian Festival this weekend! (September 10th and 11th). I’ve never gone to this one, but I did happen to drive by it last year and it looks like quite a nice celebration, and I am very excited by the amount of Ukrainian dancing they advertise, so we’ll see! (Note: I know that Ukrainian does not equal Russian. But most russophiles in America are lucky to get their hands on any Eastern or Central European culture, so I could not leave this out of the list!)
2. Second on this list is my personal favorite, a must-not-miss: Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. John the Babtist’s Russian Bazaar. (October 1st and 2nd) I think I’ve been to this festival the last 4 years in a row. The first year we lived in DC, Муж and I had just gotten married, moved to DC, and had yet to find jobs. This was something we could do, spend very little money, and have a great time. Now we have jobs, so we can buy a couple Balticas and have an even better time! ; )
3. Last on the last (that I know of) is the St. Nicholas Cathedral Annual Fall Bazaar (October 15th & 16th) I was only able to stop by this one for the last hour or so last year, so things were kind of wrapping up, but the nice thing about this festival is they have a lot of yard area where you can spread out - something my favorite, above, is lacking. This one is also definitely worth your time if you want to get some Russian food, have some vodka and experience some Russian singing and dancing.
Outside of DC
4. I just wouldn’t feel right listing Russian festivals without mentioning the one that helped start my “Passion For Russian” 15 years ago back in Mogadore, Ohio: St. Nicholas Orthodox Church “Something Russian Festival”. This is probably one of the very few you’ll find in Northeastern Ohio! (Side note: We had our wedding reception in the hall where this takes place, so one more reason to love it!)
I’m sorry that my experience is limited mostly to the DC area, but if you know of any other festivals that must be mentioned, feel free to post them in the comments!
Enjoy the festivals and let me know how you like them! Maybe I’ll even see you there!
And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for…a view of our mini fridge in St. Petersburg!
Муж was so happy/proud to find those big water jugs. I think it was his first time outside of the hotel without me as his translator - not bad! We were finally able to get all the water to drink that we needed!
[Russian lesson: Water = вода]
“Ребёнок с нами” = Baby on board (or literally ‘a child is with us’)
(Also, I think this may be an undercover Ghostbusters mobile.)
This is the newest and very special addition to my matryoshka family . This one is a gift from my good friend, Amanda, who is currently living in Tajikistan. I love how this set encorporates glitter and those huge central-asian looking eyes. It’s different from any I’ve seen before.
Thanks Amanda!!
And if you want to read about Amanda’s adventures in Tajikistan, please check out her blog, So…tell me a story. She’s a great story-teller and seems to be a magnet for weird things happening to her.
