Ordering Food in Russia

When ordering food in a Japanese restaurant, one has several options:

A) Ask for and receive a menu written in English.
B) Ask for a waitperson who understands English. There's usually at least one who does.
B) Even if the menu is only in Japanese, point to one of the many pictures displaying specific menu items.
C) Point to the ubiquitous plastic food models in the display window of the restaurant.
D) Fake it by adding a "u" sound to the end of the food's English name. E.g., "steak-u".
E) Bring along a native Japanese speaker, or your son who can read katakana.

In Russia, at least in a relatively remote city like Vladivostok, most restaurant personnel do not speak English, the menus don't have pictures, there are no plastic food models to be found, and adding a suffix to the English word just engenders puzzled looks from the waitperson.


One can usually get traditional Russian fare, such as borsh or vodka, because the Americanized Russian is still understandable. But try getting a steak or salad. Did I already mention puzzled looks?


Nevertheless, being clever world travelling sailors, we discovered the following cheat sheet on the internet. This got us through several meals:

But there were some notable challenges. Pointing to the various generic food items on this chart usually resulted in follow-on questions, the substance of which was ambiguous to us, resulting in equally obscure answers. For instance, did he just say "fried chicken" or grilled chicken with "fries"? Did he ask how I want my beef cooked? Did he understand when I said, "medium"? Were we even having the same conversation? Eventually you just say "da" and wait to see what shows up from the kitchen.


Not surprising then, when the steak I thought I ordered turned out to be:

Grilled pork chop. Very tasty. Not steak.







Fortunately, ordering dessert was easier. Most waiters understood "ice cream," for which Russia is rightly famous. In one particular establishment it came with a choice of syrup, fruit, or chocolate. One could even combine toppings, hence the really delicious vanilla ice cream with fresh strawberries and "fruit syrup" depicted below. One devoted ice cream-o-phile among us had to have two....twice.

Most easily understood, thank goodness, was the intent when ordering "cappuccino" or "whisky." The photo below shows a particularly pleasing combination of creme brulee (prounounced "creme brulee" in Russian), along with cappuccino and Jamesons (the latter obtained by pointing at the bottle over the bar).

A truly motivated foodie can eat very well in Russia. It just takes an open mind and a little patience. Also, if you patronize the same establishment for several consecutive evenings you eventually win favored customer status and get to sample bonus delicacies that you would never have known how to order.

Yummm.

Not Back in the USSR

This morning I put on my service dress blues and went topside to photograph a momentous occasion, our arrival into Vladivostok (Владивосток), Russia.

(Followers of this blog already know that I've had problems uploading photos lately. Apparently it works better in Russia. I complain not.)


Several decades ago, my dad and a few of his siblings capitalized on an opportunity to tour the USSR. I don't recall the exact year, but I suspect that most of them were already older than I am now. It was an auspicious event for all of them, in spite of the restrictive entry requirements and control over their personal movements while in country. I know that they visited Moscow, and perhaps St. Petersburg. I am certain they did not get to see Vladivostok. As the headquarters of the Soviet Pacific Fleet, this storied port city was closed during those years, and not only to foreigners. Even Soviet citizens required special permission to enter.

Times do change. As a child of the Cold War, I was fascinated today as our Flagship pulled into that same naval base and moored alongside a freshly painted Russian cruiser. Sailors from both navies lined their respective rails in mutual honor and respect. Both national flags flew side by side on the pier. Similar to last year when we visited Vietnam, setting foot on this soil is a privilege and treat beyond my dreams. I continue to wonder how or why I am so fortunate at this stage of my life.

Unlike Vietnam and most of our other ports, there will be no bike riding or running here. Our purpose is to exchange friendship and camaraderie with our Russian counterparts. We will proudly wear our uniforms at all times, even at liberty.

This is a special weekend for the Russians as well. They commemorate "Victory Day", День Победы, celebrating the capitulation of Nazi Germany to the Soviets at the end of World War II. Three planned events highlight the visit: 1) A "Big Top" reception that we host on our deck; 2) Sunday Mass at Mary Mother of God Mission; 3) Our Sailors and Marines will participate in a multinational parade in celebration of Victory Day.

I certainly plan to digitally chronicle and share these events and other activities during our brief stay here.

I may sample some of the local drink as well...in the interest of international friendship, of course.