I've been in Kiev since December 30 and I thought I'd share some of the experiences I've had in this gorgeous town as a first time tourist. To start, one of the many wonderful dining experiences.
What: Black Piglet Beer Restaurant
Style: Gourmet pub
Clothing: Casual
Where: Velyka Zhytomyrska St, 8/14
The name Black Piglet alone promised a lot for a pig enthusiast like me, as did the picture of the whole roasted suckling on their TripAdvisor page. "This restaurant is something for my brother," I thought. But truth be told, it's probably a restaurant for the vast majority of men. However, if you you happen to be a vegetarian, it will probably be difficult to find something filling here. They do however serve borsch, but everything else on the menu is pig themed.
There are many starters to choose from, and the entire menu communicates genuineness. I chose salo, which is something of a Ukrainian national dish. Simply put, salo is lard. The way it's served may vary and there's both smoked and non smoked salo. I went for the classic salo, cured with garlic and served with fried bread, scallion and a mustard sauce. It may not sound very appetizing to put 100% lard in your mouth, but this is truly a delicacy that melts in your mouth. Moaning ensued, literally.
For the main course I chose an oven baked casserole with pork cooked in smoked beer, served with a fluffy and buttery mash that would bring a smile to the face of any melancholic. For desert I had a lovely homemade Mille-feuille.
Something that clouded the overall impression was the stressed and somewhat nonchalant waiter, but then again keep in mind that I visited the packed place on New Year's Day. Despite the hectic impression, it was the best dining experience so far in Kiev. And considering that the whole feast costed me 375 Hryvnia (around 13 USD), I'll gladly return.