One day, there will be blogs about the Russian Ballet, Symphony, Opera and all sorts of fine arts, suits and cocktail dresses. This is not that blog.
Hubs and I decided to treat ourselves to a night out for dinner last night prompted by telling some friends about the TGIFridays around the corner and getting a lot of "whats it like's" that we couldn't answer. You'll be happy to know, friends, that "flair" is still alive, well and extra hardcore here in Moscow. We sat at the bar and had an excellent bartender, Alexander, who wowed us with his magic (he made water disappear in his shaker) and even tried to get us with an old bar trick our friend Kevin still uses to impress frat boys and make a buck at the end of the night. Please, Mr. Moscow Bartender, do you really think us Americans don't know bar tricks? C'mon.
We had a blast! Curling was the sport of the night on the tv. Watch out for those Canadians, man. They're pretty good. I had chicken strips and Hubs had a burger and it was like being home again. (only we never actually ate at TGIFridays at home...) The pitcher of whatever beer we got made us a little bold and definitely not ready to go home, so we took a walk to a little place close to the Red Square we had been dying to try... "La Cantina".
What a treat!! We have found our dark, smoky hideaway for sure! Creme de la creme of Moscow nightlife! Our server knew english very well, another perk for us, and we were quickly sat and reviewing a delightful menu remeniscent of home. Kind of. I remember a "mighty migas" dish that was described as a build-your-own omlet, but the most important thing is that I saw chorizo. Delicious chorizo.
The margaritas weren't very strong, making me all the more grateful to be a Texan. Just another thing we do right is the art of the 'rita. But, there was a lady with a cowgirl hat and Daisy Dukes walking around with two bottles of Cazadores tequila and a shot glass belt that we avoided eye contact with. We wondered if maybe they gave you a virgin margarita and you had to get a shot of tequila from her. It wasn't worth the risk. Anyone who's ever had Cazadores tequila knows the dangers.
We asked about nachos and were given a plate of tortilla chips and a bowl of chili that our server warned us as spicy. For those of you who are curious, the chili really wasn't so bad. Kind of like a carne guisada with ground beef and cheese on top. And definitely not Texas chili since it had beans in it. (although, I always put beans in my chili, so I never really think much of the distinction) Spicy? Not so much, but still good and definitely a treat. I'm just thankful there were no beets in the chili.
With the entire Coldplay album our soundtrack inside, we laughed, told stories of old Mexico and imagined teaching Russians spanish toasts and songs. ("aaaaaaaahh ya ya ya!!!") It was a good, good night. We've had quite a string of those recently. And looking ahead to many more.
Cheers to the combining of cultures and, of course, to margaritas that make it easier.
Hubs and I decided to treat ourselves to a night out for dinner last night prompted by telling some friends about the TGIFridays around the corner and getting a lot of "whats it like's" that we couldn't answer. You'll be happy to know, friends, that "flair" is still alive, well and extra hardcore here in Moscow. We sat at the bar and had an excellent bartender, Alexander, who wowed us with his magic (he made water disappear in his shaker) and even tried to get us with an old bar trick our friend Kevin still uses to impress frat boys and make a buck at the end of the night. Please, Mr. Moscow Bartender, do you really think us Americans don't know bar tricks? C'mon.
We had a blast! Curling was the sport of the night on the tv. Watch out for those Canadians, man. They're pretty good. I had chicken strips and Hubs had a burger and it was like being home again. (only we never actually ate at TGIFridays at home...) The pitcher of whatever beer we got made us a little bold and definitely not ready to go home, so we took a walk to a little place close to the Red Square we had been dying to try... "La Cantina".
What a treat!! We have found our dark, smoky hideaway for sure! Creme de la creme of Moscow nightlife! Our server knew english very well, another perk for us, and we were quickly sat and reviewing a delightful menu remeniscent of home. Kind of. I remember a "mighty migas" dish that was described as a build-your-own omlet, but the most important thing is that I saw chorizo. Delicious chorizo.
The margaritas weren't very strong, making me all the more grateful to be a Texan. Just another thing we do right is the art of the 'rita. But, there was a lady with a cowgirl hat and Daisy Dukes walking around with two bottles of Cazadores tequila and a shot glass belt that we avoided eye contact with. We wondered if maybe they gave you a virgin margarita and you had to get a shot of tequila from her. It wasn't worth the risk. Anyone who's ever had Cazadores tequila knows the dangers.
We asked about nachos and were given a plate of tortilla chips and a bowl of chili that our server warned us as spicy. For those of you who are curious, the chili really wasn't so bad. Kind of like a carne guisada with ground beef and cheese on top. And definitely not Texas chili since it had beans in it. (although, I always put beans in my chili, so I never really think much of the distinction) Spicy? Not so much, but still good and definitely a treat. I'm just thankful there were no beets in the chili.
With the entire Coldplay album our soundtrack inside, we laughed, told stories of old Mexico and imagined teaching Russians spanish toasts and songs. ("aaaaaaaahh ya ya ya!!!") It was a good, good night. We've had quite a string of those recently. And looking ahead to many more.
Cheers to the combining of cultures and, of course, to margaritas that make it easier.
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