I couldn’t possibly come up with anything more interesting as a title than the actual name of this restaurant, located in central Donetsk. There is tequila. There is sushi. There may or may not be boom boom. It is a mystery. When I asked the only other customer in the restaurant, he didn’t have much to say. When I looked … Read More
Blini and Pickles and Pork, Oh My!
In downtown Donetsk, there are many restaurants that attempt to be all things to all people. Like Tequila Sushi Boom Boom (a Mexican-Sushi fusion joint), Mafia! (a hybrid pizza, sushi, and French restaurant that gives you a free shot of limoncello to start your meal), and Taba$co Country Cooking (actually, I have no idea what this is). Avoid these places, fellow journalists. … Read More
Quick Snack: Ukrainian Steeped Tea
Ukrainians have embraced coffeeshop culture: it’s a place for a warm cup, a pastry, and most importantly – wifi. (This has to be one of the most wifi-accessible countries I’ve ever been to). But if you’ll skip past the section of syruped lattes, you’ll usually find a strange and colorful tea selection. Here they steep their tea (usually black, though I’ve … Read More
Dining in Donetsk: Borjomi
I wasn’t really familiar with Georgian cuisine – or so I thought. But after we ordered the bulk of the menu at Borjomi, a Georgian restaurant in downtown Donetsk, I realized I’d seen all these things before, in various incarnations in other countries. While everything was new – and in Russian – it was all, somehow, familiar. Cheese-filled bread? Check. Here, … Read More
Dining Behind Walls in Kabul, Afghanistan
The heart-breaking truth about the security situation in Afghanistan is that it’s become nearly too dangerous to go out to eat. Which is bad enough, as a person visiting or living in Kabul — but it means that many restaurants are simply closing, going under. Dozens have been making their living here in a vibrant and diverse food scene. That … Read More