It was date night! One wintery, D.C. evening, we walked into this cozy Russian restaurant near Dupont Circle. The bright, elegant décor dazzled us immediately. Given the choice of a table by the window and dining by the kitchen, we picked the obvious: next to the kitchen bar. There, we could see the Chef preparing meals and were even able to interact with him. We tried the authentically Russian Beef Stroganoff & Chicken Kiev, as anything fried with chicken is a deal-breaker for Mr. Bhuriwala. We loved the familiar, yet unique flavor in both dishes. We also tried the appetizer Khinkali, a meat-filled dumpling that any carnivore would enjoy. The overall ambiance, decor, and presentation (oh my – the presentation!) was a solid ten, or should I say десять! We would love to go back again in the daytime to eat more of the food and drink in the ancient, yet trendy vibe.

Mari Vanna
1141 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036
marivannadc.com