Wow...wow...wow. A marvelous leisurely dinner at Moscow on the Hill in St Paul with good friends...again. Russian food...both peasant and royal...served attentively and warmly. Personally...Moscow ranks as one of my top 5 favorite restaurants in the Twin Cities. And yet...it consistently is ignored by MSP Mag and the Strib critics. Are they such snobs that they think the only "great" kitchen has a chef with a "name?"
Grab a group of friends...pick those who LIKE to converse and talk while leisurely dining...not those in a marathon to be out the door in 1/2 an hour...pick those who LIKE to share...and go to Moscow. Enjoy a true Russian meal...
We started the evening as the Russians do...hot and cold appetisers to awaken your appetite.
Assorted savory platter to start (chef changes it daily): A mounded beet salad perfectly tops a piece of their dark bread. Chicken liver pate...here I have to take my friends' description..."luxuriously silken on the tongue." Crisp/crunchy sweet pickles. Russian style herring (not Grandma's chewy stuff from the jar!) melts in your mouth. Chicken blini filled with chopped braised chicken, herbs and a tart cheese topped by a sour cream that is reminiscent of creme fraiche, not Old Home. Pickled vegetables were unusual...piquant, sweet and refreshing. And of course we have to order a separate side of my favorite, Mushrooms Julienne (rich and creamy, herby with plenteous bubbly cheese) on the side. And the basket of bread slices to soak up all the juices!
I had Chicken Kolobok...tender breast of chicken stuffed with wild rice, fruits and nuts. The size of a softball ... skin crispy and brown...glazed by a sauce of fruit, honey and herbs (do I taste figs?)... enough to sop each tender morsel of chicken. Roasted veggies.
I was treated to a couple bites of Beef Stroganoff...and after my girl friend's husband saw my covetous glaze...he slowly slid his plate away from my reach! Really...I did contemplate a fork war with him...the stroganoff was that GOOD. Generous strips of tender, simmered beef, rich mushroom gravy/sauce on wide noodles. Tangy sour cream and herbs dressed the serving...which WAS big enough to share!
Dessert was the homemade chocolate truffles...sigh. Two, each the size of a large marshmallow, on a Belgian chocolate drizzled and dusted plate...I can't do them justice!
Okay, I am going to try to describe the truffles. The merest molecule ... once in your mouth ... has EVERY taste bud screaming and fighting to experience all the truffle they can. They are rich, calorie laden ... and I DO NOT CARE! The density is incredible, not waxen, slow to melt, pure Belgian chocolate. You have to fight yourself to eat slowly, wanting to inhale greedily, yet desiring the moment to last! What is a girl to do?
And for a leisurely end...piping hot Russian style tea served in glasses with holders and a bowl of homemade jam. You take a small bit of jam in the bowl of your spoon...lower it into the steaming tea...let it melt...scoop up a little tea with the now melted jam...bring to your lips and slurp!
Moscow on the Hill...honest Russian food to share...good friends to enjoy...it doesn't get better.
Na Zdorovie!
No comments:
Post a Comment