There seems to be a few Lithuanians logged onto this blog, so I would like to direct the questions to you or anyone else who have been to Lithuania recently. I am somewhat familiar w/the cuisine based on my grandmother's cooking. I will be in Lithuania from April 12 to April 19. My family & I will definitely visit Vilnius, Trakai, & by car, Druskininka & surrounding area, & hopefully the Hill of Crosses area. The travel books, that I have, seem to think there are lots of restaurant hits & misses esp in Vilnius. Can you recommend a few wonderful restaurants in the areas that I will be visiting? You will be saving me a lot of research time. I need to eat, once again, delicate doughed pierogies w/a mushroom filling, pastel pink(for those who don't know, sour cream is mixed into the soup instead of placing it on top.)vegetarian borsht, kielbasa, stuffed cabbage, kugelis, sauerkraut soup, pickled vegetables esp mushrooms, & any other local dish -- all well-prepared Lithuanian style. And also, I need to introduce my husband to the very best koseliena. Do you know of a place? Thank you.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
Two restaurants in Vilnius that would seem to fit your needs are... unfortunately, I forget the names, and Google Earth doesn't show dining facilities in Lithuania yet. Perhaps if I describe them and the locations someone else here will know the names? Both restaurants were located primarily in huge cavernous cellars. First, along Vokieciu gatve near the University, look for a large wooden door. The second, along Pilies gatve, close to where the street opens onto the cathedral square. Anyone else in RS-land know these restaurants?
Posted by
OP
NYC, USA
219 posts
Tom, did you have the thin delicate dough pierogies at these restaurants? This is very important to me. I can't find it here. The closest is a thin skin Japanese dumpling.
Posted by
OP
NYC, USA
219 posts
isailtheseas, there's a place in Maspeth, NY that makes black bread: the dark, hearty rye bread. It tastes similar to Boston brown bread. It's a wonderful solid (no croissant lightness here!) bread that tastes great w/butter. I also use it to make my favorite childhood sandwich: crean cheese & jelly. Also use it to soak up the juices from your plate. I don't have the address on me, but I can do a little research & find it for you if interested. I will not give it to you until after my trip. I want to make sure it is of the same superior quality of the Motherland. What say you?
Posted by
nolongeravailable
102 posts
i say, I'm coming to your house for lunch tomorrow!!!
hahahahahaahahaha!
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I couldn't remember. At the first restaurant, I ate ... what are those zeppelin-shaped dumplings called? Zepplichki, or something like that? I honestly can't remember what I ate at the second place.
Posted by
Vln, LT
7 posts
Hi Amerikanos ;). Bon appetit. Lithuanian cuisine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithuanian_cuisine
.
Vilnius Old-town is not that big, 2 popular restaurants are near the Town Hall - "Amatininku uzeiga" (Craftsmen's Inn)-Didzioji str., "Lokys" (Bear)-Stikliu str., "Zemaiciai" (Samogitians)-Volkieciu str. All within 5 min walk to each other. Zeppelins (cepelinai) available in the most places.
Kosheliena (aka shaltiena)... hmmm, it is more likely winter season dish, available in the shops, I guess. It's not a daily meal.
Vagetarian borsht is only a summertime dish, check this http://lapagefrancaise.blogspot.com/2006/06/saltibarsciai.html
. Don't know what the creatures are "delicate doughed pierogies". I.e. don't recognize them.
Posted by
OP
NYC, USA
219 posts
Thank you for these ideas.
Posted by
nolongeravailable
102 posts
JC...
had borscht in Russia, but didn't see it on the menus we checked out. I was looking for it, since once you have authentic borscht, you realize it's pretty darn good. Saw the pickled veggies in jars in the grocery store...
Saw Sauerkrat all over Riga, did you see the mounds of it, in one of my photo albums??? that was at an open market. Never saw it in Vilnius.
we saw the zepplins on some menus but I cant remember where. ask the hotel front desk they should be able to help..
actually send them an email prior to your arrival so they can find out for you and save some time!