St Petersburg is a Foodie's Haven in Russia
Since the beginning of this city in 1703, food from other countries and regions were incorporated into the court and well as commoner table. French 
chefs were invited from the period of Empress Elizabeth and European dishes have been common since that time.
St Petersburg is probably the least Russian of Russian cuisine but nonetheless, we have a number of fine dining class Russian cuisine Restaurants.
What is normally thought of the typical Russian dishes were those borrowed from Siberia, Ukraine and the Southern Caucasus' for example Pelminni, Borshch and the favorite, Shashhlyk. Westerners are probably most aware of caviar and Borshch.
Here is a small sampling of Traditional Russian foods(even if borrowed from other cultures):
| Solyanka | Rich Meat or Fish soup with spicy taste based on tomato stock |
| Borshch | Beet soup with sweat and sour taste. There are hundreds of varieties, served hot in winter and cold in summer. |
| Rassolnik | Varied soup of chicken, fish or kidney that gets it distinctive flavor from pickled vegetables, usually cucumbers |
| Shashlyk | A kebab of marinated lamb, pork or fish with vegetables barbecued over wood charcol is a favorite for picnics or outdoor activities. |
| Kotlety po-Kievskiy | Better known in the west as Chicken Kiev, chicken breast stuffed with garlic butter, breaded and deep fried |
| Golubtsy | Cabbage rolls of minced meat and rice, boiled or baked and served in sour cream or tomato sauce. |
| Beef Stroganov | Sauteed strips of beef in a sauce of sour cream, mushrooms and onions |
| Pelmeny | Siberian ravioli filled with spiced meat or fish, served in broth, sour cream or vinegar |
| Zakuski | Snacks served to go along with toasts or as a started for dinner. These are a wide variety of finger foods with spicy or salty flavors including caviar on bread, cheese, pickles, smoked salmon, sausage and more. Also used to eat immediately after downing a shot of vodka. |
In the next few days we will list some of our favorites in various cusines so come back when the page is completed....
