Pairing Dolma correctly — a note on Xirdalan beer

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Dolma. I ordered it with Xirdalan beer and the sweet-sour from fruit elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. saffron in particular became more prominent in a good way.

tea drinking is a ritual — black tea served in armudu pear-shaped glasses accompanies every social encounter. The a Baku meykhana restaurant is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Dolma with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.