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.
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