The Pelmeni I grew up eating — memory as a review

I grew up eating Pelmeni and have strong opinions shaped by memory. The version here triggered that recognition in the first bite — the hearty and warming was right, salted herring was handled the way it should be.

the Russian tea tradition using a samovar is centuries old and central to social hospitality. Growing up it was always a traditional Russian stolovaya canteen, which shaped my reference point entirely. black tea from a samovar alongside it is the only way it makes sense to me. It's hard to be objective about food you have emotional history with, but objectively: this is very good.