Great fun but not Russian back
Walking into Matrioshka is like walking into a Russian wedding that you didn’t realise you were invited to. Tables are set for large groups, there is a feeling of celebration in the air and the dance floor is ready to be pounded.
One thing that takes you pleasantly by surprise (apart from the ‘BYO anything you like’ policy) is the fact that the tables are already fully – and I mean FULLy – set with entree.
Smoked salmon, roasted vegetables, assorted meats (including meat jelly for the more daring carnivores), meat doughnuts, mushrooms, assorted pickled stuff and perhaps the only Russian dish I previously knew – Russian salad. I feel the Russian salad should be as popular as its Greek counterpart, they really do it well. As for the meat doughnuts, why doesn’t every restaurant have these on their menu? Delish.
As more dishes started to pour out, it seemed that not one got taken away. You are there to EAT and don’t they let you know it.
Meat jelly
Meat doughnut
Another interesting highlight of the hot entrees (yes, there are two rounds of entree) was the ‘red salmon caviar with blintzes’ (described as traditional Russian crepes served with red salmon caviar). Whilst my usual topping of choice for crepes is lemon and sugar, the caviar worked surprisingly well. It seems the Russians have taken everything we are familiar with as a dessert (jelly, doughnuts, crepes) and turned them into something meaty. The jelly aside, you can’t argue with that.
Check the website for their full menu and note that you do not order a selection off the menu, you get all of it (plus the good times) for a nice round $70 a head with no pressure to tip and no corkage. Cash only.
Yes, Matrioshka is more focused on quantity than quality but that isn’t to say the quality is bad, just that you’ll remember the quantity you actually consumed that night long after the memory of the quality is forgotten.
The meat platter for main was the highlight in most diners’ eyes – a great assortment of tasty, quality grilled meats. Pace yourself during the two rounds of entree and be sure to grab one of the shanks first – yum cha rules apply.
Although dessert is scarce (some fruit, tea and coffee), by that time the urge to dance far outweighs the urge to fit another sliver of food into your already over-packed belly.
A mix of Russian favourites (I assume?) and top 40 hits, sung by leopard skin clad Svetlana and Tenille, goes down well with the crowd that spans about 6 generations. Although an elderly couple was first to kick off proceedings on the dance floor (and you’re invited to dance between or even during each course), we were the last to leave.
Our night at Matrioshka was incredibly fun and a wonderful experience. It was certainly not your regular restaurant or somewhere I’d go to often but I couldn’t complain. You get fed, you get drunk and you get your dance-on. Russian style.
7/10
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