Saturday comes around and you brainstorm…what shall we do this weekend? That club…that bar…this party…that place…no…Let’s go be different and have a nice civilised meal at a top rated Russian Restaurant in Sydney. That was the plan anyway, and for a while we stuck to it.
After rushing home from work, whipping out a pretty pink dress I hadn’t worn in a while and pleading with the almighty for a bus to come soon because it was bloody cold, I met up with friends at The Coachman on Bourke Street. Straight to the bar for a free cocktail…Ben knew the owner’s daughter and that’s how we had managed to score one of the best tables in the restaurant, right in front of the stage for the show later on, and that’s apparently how we got our cocktails. I’ll take that.
We went with the set menu and the entrees were all laid out ready for us when we got to our table. I had never eaten Russian food which was one of the reasons why we were so keen to go to this place, my only idea of Russian food was the potatoes that they made vodka out of…oh how ignorant I was. Although I don’t like fish and thus couldn’t sample a couple of the entree delights, everyone said they were amazing and they looked delicious, and this from someone who doesn’t eat fish…the salad was delicious and we delved into all the little bites that ranged from salad, to pate and these little cream cheese cakes with tomato and olive. This was followed by peppers stuffed with chicken mince and melted cheese. The main course was lamb chops, chicken breast, potatoes and garlic seasoned grilled vegetables. The meal finished with a fruit mousse cake and coffee.
Marina, the owner’s daughter who had sorted us out, was on the table next to us having dinner with some family friends but pretty much ended up sitting with us. She was amazing, making sure we had everything we needed and that included vodka. A lot of vodka, three bottles of vodka between five of us, shots every 5 minutes. Apparently that’s Russian. I like the Russians.
And then there was the show. It was awesome!! These three perky petite little dancers frolicking about the stage, in these Moulin rouge get ups, it was definitely entertainment and they were certainly limber…splits, cart wheels galore and they didn’t hold back either flashing their frills all over the place! It was hilarious! And then there was this mad violin player, he was phenomenal, oscillating between these atmospheric, dramatic, harmonious tones that hushed the crowed to these fun, upbeat, mind blowing solos that demanded the crowd clapping in beat. As soon as the show ended the patrons were up there strutting their stuff, busting the moves. Loved it.
It was just so fun. So much fun, I’ve never been to a place like it, had such a good time and learned how vodka should be drunk. Although my memory might be quite hazy after coffee, one this is very clear…I am not Russian…unfortunately. We’re heading back there for my last Saturday night in Sydney for a farewell dinner with a bunch of mates; hopefully it will be as fun as last weekend!
