Veselka

Red means "stop right here" for sturdy Eastern European chow.

From this well assimiliated Ukrainian corner restaurant, the deluxe meat combo platter ($13.95) included borscht (above), accompanied by bread, a green salad, and a plate of three boiled pierogi (meat, potato, cabbage), beet salad, sauerkraut, a meat-and-rice-stuffed cabbage (also shown in cutaway view), and half a grilled kielbasa. I might have done better by picking and choosing — say, fried pierogi rather than boiled, and more snappy grilled kielbasa in place of that superdense stuffed cabbage.

Previously: Bigos ("hunter's stew"; $11.95) was a meaty melange of kielbasa, pork, and sauerkraut, smacking of dill, a little garlic, and vinegar; it included a side of fresh carrots (not shown) plus mashed potatoes and a floret of broccoli. The "Ukrainian pudding" called kutya ($4.25) was chunky and not at all puddinglike, though the wheatberries, raisins, walnuts, and poppyseeds were well moistened with honey.

Veselka
144 Second Ave. (at 9th St.)
212-228-9682
www.Veselka.com

Comments

[annulla]

Next time, try the blintzes. They are superb.

[zvi kedem]

It is actually "pierogi." This is already a plural, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierogi

I do not exactly how this is spelled in Ukrainian, but "pierogi" is a Polish word--could be Ukrainian too.

--
Zvi

[Joan Nova]

I recently came across your blog and was immediately intrigued. As a former NY-er, I find your posts part nostalgic and part reference material for my next trip. I love the diversity of the places you choose.

[Jeff]

ahh, this has been on my radar for a while.
That red borscht looks so hearty.

[Justin]

This is always a favorite place of mine. The cabbage soup is exactly like my grandmother used to make. I took my dad while he was visiting from PA and he almost cried (she unfortunately passed away years ago).
All the other food is also well made, with good quality ingredients!