Travel Notes

As the season of good will, feasting and merriment approaches, Darra Goldstein went in search of Russian hospitality and culinary excellence in restaurants  stateside and found both, together with a deep awareness by owners of the nutritional value and variety Americans demand.

In an era when the Mediterranean diet is all the rage, can Russian restaurants survive in America? Based on a random sampling of restaurants across the US, the answer is a resounding yes. Russian restaurants are not just holding their own, they are thriving, and the best ones have found ways to address Americans’ health concerns without forfeiting the wonderful flavors of traditional Russian food.