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Classic Slavic cuisine aims to charm Dubai

Dubai - It was refreshing to try the real Russian salad at a real Russian restaurant (...still, reminiscing).

UAE is home to almost 120 nationalities, so why should it be any different for just that many cuisines? Latest to hit shores is food from Russia, Czech Republic, Ukraine and other Eastern European countries have all come together on one plate. Bringing its culture, tradition and palette to share, the newest fine dining restaurant, Vesna serves traditional Slavic food with finesse.
Exuding a larger-than-life interior design, the décor is eclectic with mammoth-sized royal blue sofas, and bold embellished curtains that separate the dining area from the lounge. Massive mirrors reflect the chandeliers giving the place a little royal, a little homely feel. There's never a dull moment if you stop to look around. Amidst all this grandeur I did manage to find a small table with a few flower pots and candle stands hidden away.
Siberian Beef Pelmeni
Located at the Conrad Hotel on Shaikh Zayed Road, the menu is inspired by award winning international chef Angelova Irina, who brings unique elements to Eastern European Cuisine. Chef Maksim Tvorogov heads all culinary activities at Vesna, which means spring in Russian.
Right out of a Russian home

Among the food I tried was the Olivier Salad with Lobster (pictured above) which is a classic Russian salad with a European twist - a blend of baked and boiled vegetables, fresh lobster claw and sous-vide chicken, finished off with diced dill pickles and dressed in mayonnaise and balsamic.
I remember eating it at most family get-togethers where some aunt would invariably bring a bowl of Russian salad. It was refreshing to try the real Russian salad at a real Russian restaurant (...still, reminiscing).

Another dish that made me go back for another helping was the Vinegret Salad (pictured above). Vesna serves it with organic baked beetroot mixed with diced potato, carrot, bell pepper with sunflower oil. It might not sound appetizing, but it's quite commendable the way the ingredients blended. Five stars!
The Siberian Beef Pelmeni was a variant of warm dumplings filled with Australian Black Angus beef served with a cooled sour cream. I'm not sure how I feel about this dish.

The other dumpling served was Vareniki, with a filling of porcini mushroom and potato puree served garnished with fried onions. Delicious or vkusno (pronounced fkoos-na), as the Russians would say!
Thinking of it, this is probably what Vladimir Putin enjoys in the comfort of this sprawling mansion.

The dessert platter was standard with mini chocolate balls and pastries. What did catch my attention though were the bite-sized cakes; they were chewy and sweet and I would, if I could, keep gorging on at least a dozen more.
Verdict: The food tastes local; like it came straight from a native Russian kitchen.
Must try: Vinegret Salad
Cost for two: Dh300
kymberlee@khaleejtimes.com