"To the top right was a side of Soviet-style spicy Korean carrots with coriander, adding a delightful crunch and a healthy touch to our meal. In the middle right, we enjoyed the kartoffel julienne, which featured baked potatoes smothered in a creamy smoked cheese sauce and filled with wonderful mushrooms and dill. It was incredibly rich and indulgent, though not exactly healthy, but a breathtaking treat.
In the bottom right was the Russian salad, or Olivier salad, which according to the menu is extremely popular in all former Soviet countries—it's even known in Spain (who would have thought?). This special version included ham, but I usually make it without!
On the bottom left, we savored fried varenyky (dumplings) that were incredibly delicious and reminded me that I need to be cautious about ordering everything deep-fried or smothered in cream and cheese.
Lastly, we had a baked cheesecake, which is nothing like what you’d find in Britain, paired with a stunning homemade jam that might have been made from plums? It was too good to resist.
Thanks to this meal, I was transported back to my time in Lithuania—it was a nostalgic experience reminiscent of many dishes from the Soviet Union, especially with the dumplings and Russian salad, all served with dill and a touch of acidity."
