We are happy to present our new column – «Gourmet choice»! Every week our blogger Tatiana Bronnikiva meats with different people and asks about their favourite example of ideal “gurmanization”: combination of restaurant’s atmosphere and quality of cuisine.
The first heroes of this blog are Yulia Kharkova, the supervisor of federal project “Informational stream” and the lounge-café “Chaikhona №1” with its special pastry straws and fantastic shash-kebab.
«How do I learn about new and interesting places? Usually from the internet. There a lot of theme web-sites through which you can find something really worthwhile. Conducted by the strong idea to find a decent restaurant with oriental cuisine I pitched upon “Chaikhona №1” a month ago.
After looking through the customers’ feedbacks, the menu and photos I decided kill two birds with one stone and made an appointed with my friend in this restaurant, the one which is in Pushkinskaya metro station. I’ve also been in the Voikovskaya and then here, in Mayakovskaya places. By the way, I like the last one most. I guess since then I come here every week. For instance, I recently took my boyfriend here who liked it very much too! That is really surprising for me because he’s more likely the admirer of steak-houses and not the Eastern cuisine.
Yulia Kharkova, 23 years old. The supervisor of federal project “Informational stream”
At first I was confused by the menu. There are so many unfamiliar words! Only flatbread in tandoor alone (tandoor is a mud stove for cooking in Asia)is something, which are very tasty by the way. But after becoming a permanent guest in “Chaikhona №1” I stopped feeling uncomfortable when choosing a dish, and anyway, the waiters always help.
Each time I try to taste something new, but I’ve already picked my ‘favourites” – shash-kebab made of lamb or veal. It’s just divine!
In spite of small portion (about 100 g. or 3-4 meat pieces) it’s amazingly juicy and nutritious. As a side dish I take grilled vegetables.
I don’t really like soups but I love pastry straws! Those which are served in “Chaikhona №1” remind me my childhood: mother used to bake a lot for the whole family. Once I tried to cook it by myself at home, but I swore not to repeat this experience after burning my hand with boiling oil.
Homemade lemonade is also especially good here. My plan for the next order is a cheese platter with a glass of wine. Some acquaintances recommended me the hookah and dorado khazino (it’s sea fish baked with rosemary branch and cherry tomatoes), so I add these dishes to my wish-list.
I come to “Chaikhona №1” and almost always find it full and that many places are already occupied, so I advise to book a table in advance. I don’t have any complaints considering the service of the restaurant. Maybe there were a couple of times when we had to wait long for the bill and there were a lot of people, but at the rest of times everything was excellent.
I think many people got to a restaurant or to a café to have a special atmosphere more than a good meal. My birthday is in July and I already know where I want to celebrate it – in “Chaikhona №1” in Voikovskaya. There is a real yurt with plenty of soft cushions, carpets and couches made in national style. It looks very beautiful and bright»
Bronnikova Tatiana.
