From BLINIS to PELMENI, Sampling Traditional Russian Food in Washington, DC

 52 Places to Go: Week 47

Sometimes eating out can be a little bit like a trip to a foreign country. On our recent trip to Washington, DC, we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Mari Vanna, a restaurant on Connecticut Avenue not far from Dupont Circle. Specializing in traditional foods from Russia and Eastern Europe, it was a chance to try foods we don’t normally eat. It was a Saturday night, and the bar on the main floor was humming. We were taken upstairs to the comfortable dining area, decorated with lace covered lamps, flowered menus, walls covered with historic photos, and a samovar in the corner. As we waited for our food, an accordion player serenaded the tables with lively polka tunes.

The menu of Mari Vanna features several kinds of black caviar–far beyond our price range. One can also order a variety of vodka based drinks. We opted for a Moldavian Merlot red wine.
Rather than ordering a large main course, we chose several smaller plates to share.
We began with a fish plate, an assortment of smoked salmon, smoked butter fish, smoked sturgeon chunk, which was served with fresh cucumber slices and lemon. We also ordered a plate of blinis (thin egg pancakes) served  with sour cream and salmon roe (which provided a salty crunch). A bread board came with two kinds of bread--a dark and light rye--served with traditional red radishes and a scallion

Our third item was a pot of Siberian pelmeni, a kind of Russian dumpling--in many ways similar to Chinese steamed dumplings. They came with various fillings both salty and sweet. We chose to have the pelmeni stuffed with ground pork.

By the time we finished the pelmeni, we were ready for dessert. Art had Medovik, a traditional Russian honey layered cake, and I chose what was called Bird’s Milk, described on the menu as a “Traditional Royal Milk Soufflé with Dark Chocolate” and tasted a bit like meringue topped with chocolate. Delicious!

By the end of our meal we were completely satisfied. I understand one can go to Mari Vanna for a traditional afternoon tea--another chance to sample their many desserts. On another visit to Washington, I’ll have to do that!
   
Mari Vanna
1141 Connecticut ave NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20036

This article was first published on 8/19/19

All text and photographs copyright Caroline Arnold