Dinner at Mari Vanna London
It is a tough call picking my favourite city to visit.
Smetannik at Mari Vanna London
Of course it’s hard to top New York, but when it really comes down it I have to say that I just love London.
Read about my last trip to NYC here
As it is very close to Dublin I go quite often, so much so that I have a favourite restaurant and a favourite bar, and of course a favourite place to shop!
Tempting as it was to stick to the usual spots this time we decided to branch out and try somewhere new.
Mari Vanna London
I booked Mari Vanna in Knightsbridge on the recommendation of a friend, the same friend who had recommended the amazing White Rabbit restaurant in Moscow so I knew it was a fairly safe bet.
Mari Vanna is a Russian restaurant serving food cooked to the style of “the Russian grandmother you always wished you had”.
Mari Vanna photo credit: ltstatic
The decor of the restaurant focuses on Russian nostalgia with its old school photographs, Matrioshka dolls, newspaper cuttings, candles, and chandeliers. In fact this restaurant is worth visiting just for it’s interior alone!
Mari Vanna photo credit: ltstatic
When it came to the menu we weren’t quite sure what to order. I debated trying the traditional Borscht soup but I am not the biggest fan of beetroot so instead we ordered dumplings to share.
I also didn’t know what Pierogi was so I ordered one of them as well. Turns out they are puff pastry parcels filled with your choice of either mushrooms, pork, or potatoes.
Mushroom Pierogi
The starters were all excellent and they were washed down nicely with Mari Vanna’s own infused vodka.
I went for the gooseberry vodka and my dad who is far more adventurous than myself tried honey and horseradish infused vodka!
Rather funnily mum who stuck with a plain vodka, tried to order tonic to go with it which turns out is a big no no, and she was promptly ignored each time she asked.
Unfortunately we weren’t quite as adventurous with our main courses sticking to salmon, rack of lamb, and roasted duck leg!
Rack of Lamb
All were very tasty but I think next time I will try a more traditional Russian main course as well!
Pan Fried Salmon
When it came to dessert time my parents politely declined stating they were “far too full” and “oh no I couldn’t possibly eat another morsel” so I braved looking like a glutton and ordered the Smetannik.
Smetannik is a Russian cake made with sour cream. I know that sounds dodgey but it was DELICIOUS! The layers of cake were moist and the berries and the tangy sauce complemented the cake perfectly.
Smetannik
Amazingly my parents magically regained their appetites and helped me devour the cake in about 1 minute flat.
Cherry Vodka
After one final shot of cherry vodka served complimentary with the bill we all left Mari Vanna full and happy.
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