Lunch for 1: £15.00

On this particular Saturday my focus is getting over to the Tate Modern for the Futurism exhibit (which was great, you should go see it).  My ticket is for late afternoon so I decide to try out the surrounding neighborhood for lunch.  My destination is Baltic.  When I used to stay near Earl’s Court I used to eat in Wodka on my first night in town.  It was such a nice mellow place with great Polish comfort food and it was perfect for that first night in town when you’re all jetlagged and cranky.  Baltic is owned by the same folks so I was expecting something along the same line.

I initially opted to sit in the small area out front.  This was a big mistake as the restaurant fronts Blackfriars Rd. which is full of traffic even on a Saturday.  When I moved to a table inside I realized that I was not in Wodka.  This place is huge, hangar like even.  I can imagine that on a busy night it can get pretty loud in here but today there are only a few groups of diners so it is nice and quiet.  It is also really bright and open which is perfect for several things – reading a book, taking pictures of my food, etc.

The first thing that happens after I my drink order is taken is that a lovely person comes and gives me pickles and horseradish with beets to spread on a selection of fresh baked breads.  Happiness is pickles.

Pickles!

I eat all of the pickles and most of the horseradish while perusing the menu.  I made a mental note about the selection of infused vodkas for next time.  Something about throwing back a couple of shots before going to the museum just doesn’t appeal.

Rather than go for an appetizer and main and I opt for two starters to try to keep things relatively on the light side since I do of course have dinner plans for later.  First is the Chlodnik (borscht) – chilled beet root and radish soup with yogurt.

Chlodnik

Its funny I don’t remember it being quite this color in person.  It was really tasty regardless.  A good dose of dill, cucumber and garlic.  I am a lover of borscht and this was really good borscht.

Peirogis

Next up the obligatory peirogis.  Obligatory in the sense that I am incapable of walking away from fried potato dumplings of any kind.  These were good but unfamiliar.  They were just different than the peirogis I have loved in say Chicago or NYC.  This is probably because most of the peirogis I have had have come from Kosher restuarants whereas Baltic is definitely not Kosher (lots of pork on the menu yay!)

Overall a lovely meal.  Baltic is really out of the way though and unless you are going to be in the neighborhood for some other reason you might want to go to Wodka which is more central and has a very similar menu.

Book I was reading: Dan Leno and The Limehouse Golem

Baltic
74 Blackfriars Road
London, SE1 8HA

Wodka
12 St. Albans Grove
London, W8 5PN