Vodka and caviar in Russia

Vodka and caviar in Russia

Russian oligarchs suck billions of dollars from the national economy but leave lavish scraps to tease big bucks from high-end tourists. As trips to the region are being cancelled left and right, I’m looking back at my recent visit relying for sustenance on those extravagant scraps. Here’s to the past: dining like the oligarchs on vodka and caviar in Russia. A dis/tasteful extravaganza…

Vodka and caviar in Russia: Red salmon caviar, sour cream, and perfect pancakes
Red salmon caviar, sour cream, and perfect pancakes
Vodka and caviar in Russia:  Caviar toast
Caviar toast

This was a favorite of mine (below): “Spirit of Russia Imperial Cocktail,” served at the Grand Hotel Europe in St. Petersburg. “A fine selection of the most famous varieties of caviar: beluga, ossetra, and red salmon caviar. Served on blinis with sour cream. Accompanied by a set of premium vodkas: Beluga, Tsarskaya Gold, and Russian Standard Platinum.

Vodka and caviar in Russia: Three caviar varieties, three kinds of vodka
Three caviar varieties, three kinds of vodka

No, this was my favorite: “Egg in Egg.” An egg filled with truffle-scented scrambled egg, topped with ossetra caviar. Oh, yum! Also at the Grand Hotel Europe.

Vodka and caviar in Russia: Who does it better, the chicken or the sturgeon? Together, pure decadence!
Who does it better, the chicken or the sturgeon? Together, pure decadence!

Outrageously delicious. Three varieties of caviar on silky, truffle-flavored scrambled egg.

Vodka and Caviar in Russia:  Egg in egg: three times as good
Egg in egg: three times as good
Vodka and caviar in Russia: Flavored vodkas at the St. Petersburg restaurant called Restaurant
Flavored vodkas at the St. Petersburg restaurant called Restaurant
Vodka and caviar in Russia: Flavored vodkas at the St. Petersburg restaurant called Restaurant
Flavored vodkas at the St. Petersburg restaurant called Restaurant
Vodka and caviar in Russia: Not figs and strawberries, but marzipan candies
Not figs and strawberries, but marzipan candies
Vodka and caviar in Russia: A favorite vodka
A favorite vodka. (Doesn’t it look like the waiter’s face beneath the tray? But no, it’s just his hand.)
Vodka and caviar in Russia: A waiter keeps our vodka glasses full at Grand Hotel Europe
A waiter keeps our vodka glasses full at Grand Hotel Europe
Vodka and caviar in Russia: We could have eaten at Killfish Burgers…
We could have eaten at Killfish Burgers…

Why not read about the grittier side of Russia? Start with pickpockets in St. Petersburg.

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2 Comments

  1. O M G those pictures! It’s enough to make me want to go back! Especially the red caviar. Very photogenic.

    Hell no, that’s not a hand, it’s a face!


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