Platetrotter
Discovering the world one bite at a time
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • COUNTRY GUIDES
  • GOURMET BREAKS
  • PRESS
  • ABOUT

Move Over Blini, it's Time for the Syrniki

28/1/2013

4 Comments

 
Picture
These doughy pillows stuffed with cottage cheese-like curd are officially my favourite Russian breakfast food
I've had my share of pancakes in Russia. From the obligatory blini smeared with sour cream and a glob of caviar, to the ubiquitous potato pancake crisped around the edges and served with everything from omelettes at breakfast to a hunk of beef at dinner, they seem to make an appearance in some form or the other at pretty much every meal.

Not like I'm complaining... pancakes make the perfect stodgy base to carry the rich, salty and oily flavours of the ingredients that usually accompany them.

But their savoury avatars aside, on a whistle-stop trip to Russia's northern jewel St Petersburg this past weekend, I  came across a sweet version that could well be my favourite Russian pancake of them all - syrniki, or Russian curd cakes. 

Syrniki (coming from the Russian or Ukrainian word syr meaning cheese) look like obese little blinis - round doughy pillows stuffed with chunks of solid curd. The ones I tasted were served with the ever-present smetana (heavy sour cream) and fresh strawberry compote at the cosy Singer Cafe, which overlooks St Petersburg's main thoroughfare Nevsky Prospekt and the Greco-Roman Kazan Cathedral.
Picture
Singer Cafe serves up a hearty breakfast with a side of great views
My association with syrniki was, however, short and sweet. Having picked a generously sized savoury egg and potato pancake combo for breakfast, I had to make do with stealing a piece off my friend's plate and keeping my fingers crossed that there'd be another opportunity to order an entire portion for myself.

Sadly, that never came to pass (it was a very quick trip) so I have been left with a taste for a plate of syrniki that can be added to an ever-growing list of delicious dishes I'd like to relive eating in Russia.

But until I get to board a plane in that direction again, does anyone know a place that serves good syrniki in Dubai? I'd gladly book myself a spot for a Russian-style breakfast :)
Picture
5 Things I Learnt in Spain Last Summer

Picture
Duped out of Dhau

4 Comments
Devina Divecha (FooDee) link
28/1/2013 08:39:06 pm

That sounds delicious! Not been to a Russian restaurant here (just an Uzbek one) so can't help :(

Reply
Platetrotter
29/1/2013 08:41:25 pm

Where'd you find an Uzbek restaurant and how was the food?

Reply
Devina Divecha (FooDee) link
29/1/2013 09:15:04 pm

In the Marina! It's called Gulnaz. It has crossover Russian food as well I think. Their plov is really good, as is their breads. They have a Uzbek/Russian version of momos too...interesting stuff. Right about here: 25.07578,55.134206

Platetrotter
30/1/2013 02:40:30 pm

Thanks :) I'm going to have to find it soon

Reply



Leave a Reply.


    Named Best Blog for Food & Travel
    Picture
    Top 10 UAE Food Blogs in UAE
    Picture
    Featured in
    Picture
    Picture
    ExpatsBlog.com - Where Expats Blog
    Picture
    Picture
    Contributor on
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Follow me on Instagram

    RSS Feed

    Countries

    All
    Austria
    Azerbaijan
    Bahrain
    Bosnia And Hercegovina
    Brazil
    Bulgaria
    Cambodia
    Chile
    Croatia
    Cuba
    Cyprus
    Ecuador
    Egypt
    England
    Finland
    Germany
    Hong Kong
    India
    Indonesia
    Ireland
    Italy
    Japan
    Jordan
    Kosovo
    Kyrgyzstan
    Lebanon
    Macedonia
    Malaysia
    Maldives
    Mexico
    Montenegro
    Mozambique
    Nepal
    Oman
    Peru
    Philippines
    Poland
    Portugal
    Romania
    Russia
    Scotland
    Seychelles
    Singapore
    South Africa
    Spain
    St Kitts & Nevis
    Switzerland
    Taiwan
    Tanzania
    Thailand
    Turkey
    Uae
    United Kingdom
    United States Of America
    Vietnam
    Wales

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • HOME
  • BLOG
  • COUNTRY GUIDES
  • GOURMET BREAKS
  • PRESS
  • ABOUT