They're Coming From America

Lately I’ve noticed that quite a few new restaurants and food venues have been popping up all over town.  The trend is American-style diners and American-type food whether it be a burger joint or a milkshake place or a storefront advertising those sweet, deep fried, calorie-laden, decadent treats known to us Canucks as doughnuts and to our neighbours to the south, donuts.

I am always astounded by the familiar brands that I see popping up all over the fair city of Moscow.  I mean, Russia has its very own culinary masterpieces, so why import (what I believe to be) the lowest of the low in terms of American cuisine?  My humblest of apologies to my friends south of the 49th parallel, but c’mon, is there not better fare than doughnuts to bring to the world stage as an Ambassador of American taste?

Dunkin’ Donuts has had a pretty strong monopoly on the doughnut trade here in Moscow but it looks like there may be a new game in town.  It all started almost a century ago when, in 1937, Vernon Rudolph first opened his doors in Winston-Salem, North Carolina (this particular state holds a special place in my heart and I’ve found yet another reason to continue my love affair with the Carolinas, but I digress, this is about doughnuts) to sell the yeast-raised doughnuts he produced from a secret recipe purchased from a New Orleans chef (yet another of the US States that I love and would return to in a heartbeat given the chance - beignets, anyone?).  Originally meant to sell to supermarkets and other stores, Rudolph caved to popular demand and the first Krispy Kreme retail doughnut shop was born!  The company has since expanded into a multi-national culinary phenomenon enjoyed the world over.

This being said, I have never had the pleasure (?) of tasting a Krispy Kreme doughnut but I hear from donut aficionados in the know that a KK doughnut is one treat that is executed masterfully.  Their marketing isn’t too shabby either.  At the entrance to Gorky Park during the yearly Food Festival held at the end of August, there was a KK truck set up on the sidewalk with staff of the opening-soon-KK-store handing out free boxes of dozens of doughnuts to passers by.  Talk about aggressive marketing strategy.

The first one’s free, kids. 

(What they don’t mention is that it is a slippery slope after that first bite.)

 

Pay special attention to the music in this video.  How perfect is that?!

Regardless of my personal leanings (I’m actually a die hard SuzyQ doughnut fan - who can say no to maple bacon or sugar munkki?), it looks like KK is going to be able to make a go of it here in the Motherland.  There were 200 people lined up well in advance for the opening day festivities.  The first customer of the day received a gold card that is good for a year’s worth of doughnuts.  Apparently he stood in line for 22 hours to earn that privilege.  Lucky guy.  Located steps from St. Basil’s, Red Square and ГУМ, Krispy Kreme doughnuts sure has secured itself just about the best location in town.

Good luck, Krispy Kreme and welcome to Moscow.  I’m still saving myself for SuzyQ.

МАКС 2013

About an hour’s train ride outside of Moscow is the community of Zhukovsky.  Every two years the International Aviation and Space Salon there mounts a week-long airshow that boasts over a half a million visitors.

 

Макс 2013

After spending a dreary and rainy day at the exhibition, it is very clear to me just why it is so well attended.  In fact, the low ceiling and roiling clouds only added to the atmosphere and in my opinion, enhanced the experience.  It was exciting to search the skies and track the deafening sounds of the fighter planes that one moment were invisible and the next seemed to appear out of nowhere.

There was an endless arcade of planes on exhibit for visitors to see with pilots on-hand to chat with people at most of the aircrafts.  There were new and old models and all manner of planes set up for the public to observe.  It was interesting to note that there were Миг jets on display as opposed to F-series jets.  Although I should not have been taken aback - I am, after all, in Russia.

Fly Boys

Along with the static display of aircraft were multiple exhibition hangars.  I wandered in to one just to see what was on display.  Russian Helicopters was set up in this particular hangar housing everything from engines to scale models of their products and even a full-sized helicopter!  Needless to say there were lots of photos being taken and some photos were even of the helicopters!

 

Throughout the day planes were constantly flying overhead and I managed to film a few clips.  Nothing even comes remotely close to the bone-shaking, tooth-rattling waves of sound that trailed behind the planes but the videos are still pretty cool. 

Enjoy!

Third Time’s The Charm!

Festival «Food»

Oh, how I love the Afisha Festival of Food in Gorky Park!  This time marks the third year that the fledgling festival was mounted.  We were not here for its inauguration but we did partake in the second year and now, the third year running.  I certainly hope to visit the fourth year’s festival as well. 

I must say that last year was great and this year was even better.  With the advent of technological advances, I was able to buy my tickets with a virtual wallet and then have them sent directly to a smartphone app, no paperwork required!  Much to my surprise, there was no issue at the door when they scanned the QR code on my phone screen (I have to admit that I was skeptical but I still trusted - hoped? - that everything would go smoothly and according to plan).  Two bracelets issued and quickly secured around our wrists, Mr. U and I joined a few friends and together we proceeded through the obligatory metal detector/bag check and along the embankment where a plethora of gastronomic delights awaited our viewing and tasting pleasure.

Again, like last year, the variety of goods on display was a taste sensation for the eyes as well as the tongue.  Unlike last year, the weather was not quite as warm or sunny.  Cloud cover and chilly temperatures made me glad to be wearing long sleeves and a scarf to stave off the autumn chill.  Thankfully the rain held off long enough for us all to get our fill and then some. 

I’ll let you drool over the sights and delights that caught my attention.  Can you tell that I have a sweet tooth?

beanbag chairs in the form of salad bags

 

Look closely at the ice cream in the globe!

 

Well, hello ladies ...

 

Excuse me?

This table centerpiece has a potato and a baby cabbage tucked into the arrangement.  A potato?!!!

The only item that made it home with me was some German pumpkin seed oil.  I can’t wait to drizzle it over a salad of mixed greens and cherry tomatoes with some sunflower seeds and a few parmesan curls.  YUM!