Russia. Day 3. Moscow. Up North to the Soviet showcase. Back to the Boulevard Ring

Russia. Day 3. Moscow. Up North to the Soviet showcase. Back to the Boulevard Ring

When someone asks me about my roots, it feels odd to say I am from Russia. I am Russian but from the Soviet Union. To me, Russia before the Soviet Union, the Soviet Union, and Russia after the Soviet Union are three completely different countries. 

Russia. Day 2. Moscow. Off to the left, through Sparrow Hills to the City

Russia. Day 2. Moscow. Off to the left, through Sparrow Hills to the City

“If you want to see a city like a local and understand it, visit a market, a train station, and a cemetery.”                                               

Russia. Day 1. Moscow. Off to the right and through Gorky Park

Russia. Day 1. Moscow. Off to the right and through Gorky Park

“In Moscow, you’d sit in an enormous parlor of a restaurant where you don’t know anybody and nobody knows you and you don’t feel that you’re a stranger. And here, you know everybody and everybody knows you, and you’re a stranger, a stranger… and a 

Russia. Departure Day — Arrival Day. From Ridgewood to Moscow

Russia. Departure Day — Arrival Day. From Ridgewood to Moscow

Our firm plan was to fly a red-eye. Direct. JFK to Moscow. Nine hours and some. We did get a few sympathetic words from friends about night flight hardships. The plane was scheduled to take off after midnight NY time and land in Sheremetyevo early evening. The 

That time we went to taste Queens

That time we went to taste Queens

— Did you tell her she can eat!?!? It was a little after 8 AM on a sunny April Sunday of 2009. I was upstairs in the bathroom getting ready. Downstairs, Tom caught our nine-year-old Lizzie sneaking cereal in the pantry. No, I didn’t tell 

Two Mussel Suckers in the Land of Clam Diggers

Two Mussel Suckers in the Land of Clam Diggers

It is said that the residents of City Island refer to the visitors as “mussel suckers” while calling themselves “clam diggers,” maybe going back to the days when clam digging was in abundance. Clam digging stopped but the name remained.  Until 1896, City Island was 

Russian Vodka Room, 52nd street

Russian Vodka Room, 52nd street

“The more a party member drinks, the less is left for a hooligan,” states the menu. All this snow creates a craving for the Russian fare of my childhood. I always wanted to try that Russian Vodka Room on 52nd street. Somehow, this place did 

Coco Pazzo, Soho

Coco Pazzo, Soho

Coco Pazzo in Soho — surprise it was. Fantastic food for very reasonable prices. They start you off with bread not to miss. Between my husband and me, we split Carciofi e Parmigiano, a perfect blend of thinly sliced artichokes, parmigiana, and fennel dressed with olive