I’m restlessly on the hunt for something new to do, to feel, to eat. My taste buds create childish havoc in my mouth, when the highly processed foods of the western diet fail to tickle my tongue. A tantrum we all want to avoid. So after the kebab has been munched, the curry devoured, and the chow mein well and truly chowed, where in the world can we take that hungry kid inside of us all to satiate its adventurous spirit? Well, there’s no need to scour the earth, when the world has come to London on a very exotic looking plate. Here is the second nibble of a series on unique cuisines in the UK’s capital:

Baltic

Eastern European restaurant and vodka bar near Southwark and Waterloo stations

Starters: £5-£9, Mains: £15-20, Desserts: £6-£8, Cocktails: £8-£10

It’s unfussy front is distinctly indistinct, with a whitewashed face and simple wooden doors. It could be any old little bistro. Yet Baltic is a great deal more than what initially meets the eye. I take one step inside and a draught of soft chit-chatting and gentle plate-clattering hits me, but it’s not that which blows me away. The dimly lit interior remains deeply sympathetic to its eighteen century roots, which lay at the upper most limits of this former coach builder’s works. Rows of trilateral wood beams run spectacularly across a 40 foot roof, forming a momentous shelter. Below, each table is set with a candle, flickering as the ceiling fans whir on and the hungry uhm and ahh over the broadsheet dinner menus, which are printed fresh daily. The restaurant’s sheer height, clean lines and skylights ensure the atmosphere is invitingly light and roomy. Just how I like my belly to feel before I dive into a three course meal.

The starters are rustic and simple, the list includes smoked duck and veal dumplings swimming in the aromatic soup of Rosol; a down to earth, meaty broth garnished with fresh parsley. The other taster is a sweet and spicy explosion of generously portioned, slightly-too-lukewarm butternut squash purée and swiped-on red pepper sauce, served with a line-up of lemon drizzled, silky-on-the-tongue, scallop halves. The stodgy dumpling pastry of the Vareniki and the cumin undertones of the seafood appetizer both proffer their own unique take on homeliness, catering to all taste buds. With snow flakes settling comfortably outside, the heartiness of these dishes is exactly what my insides need.

Meat takes centre stage at the main event, with a miscellany of pork on a platter and a medium steak of venison. The latter is doused in a sour cherry sauce, which tries so hard to steal the show, rather than blend into the background as it should. However, the coulis fails at its attention seeking, making a perfectly sharp-sweet accompaniment to the venison. Which, after being slightly too underdone for me, arrives back to the table at its desired succulent consistency. The au jus of a beautifully soft honey pear rests in its skin on the side. This dish as a whole oozes with mouth-watering appeal.

Creamy new potato and sweet red cabbage sides, and the mains are generously portioned and earnestly seasoned. Though a pinch of salt and dab of parsnip mustard are superlative embellishments for a portly bratwurst and shreds of sauerkraut, laid out on a wooden slab of porky heaven. Besides them, a frankfurter is just too reminiscent of a processed watery hot dog, but disregarding personal taste, is definitely a refined variety that’ll please lovers of the footlong. Moving along, the ham hock delights the taste buds with a soft, flaky, emulsion of flavour. And finally, the pork belly surpasses often-disappointed expectations with its impressive melt-in-the-mouth middle, and outstanding crispy outer shell; ensuring this board of bangers truly is banging.

A lack of dinner-time melodies is unnoticeable and unimportant; the surrounds are comfortably serene, and the cocktails and puddings music to my ears. A Hungarian chocolate torta brings its rich bitter-cocoa depths quite literally to the table. Its not-too-sweet temperament is coupled heart and soul with earthy nuts, fruity strawberries and the creamy slush of vanilla ice cream. However, this mountain of courses peaks with a deceivingly simple looking frozen dessert, which can only be described as a culinary masterpiece that I was proud to eat, and shamelessly lapped up, chewed on, and slurped in. The culprit was a glassful of pomegranate sherbet. Whilst being purely saccharine is good enough, this edible adventure just got better and better, with suggestions of smokiness from god knows where, and saltiness from the savoury namkeen-like biscuit, that was delicately balanced on top of my three-scoop-bliss. A sugary hit, that knocked me out.

Ok, that might not be entirely true. My diminished awareness may have had something to do with a certain lemongrass vodka, fresh lime and ginger beer mule. I would have gone for a rhubarb vodka cocktail as well, but they’d run out of their popular in-house production. So to make up for it, I had a rhubarb compote, cloudy apple, vanilla sugar, Prosecco laced and Wyborowa vodka punch, which is probably what made the K.O connection. It definitely touched on my past, with a light fruity zing that reminded me of those Melody whistle pop sweets I used to love as a child, and to be honest I’d be happy to keep tooting Baltic’s horn all day.

One of our passions is great food and London is an amazing city to discover the food of the world. 
We are taking you to the best of Eastern Europe, Lebanon and England through these amazing places. Discover them and learn to fall in love with great flavours and colours.

The Baltic – For a dinner for two

Baltic is specialising in the cuisines of Eastern Europe. From the soups, pickled fish and dumplings of Poland and Russia, to the hearty and spiced stews of Hungary through to the aromatic grills and light braises of Georgia and central Asia. The strength of these cuisines lies in their robust flavours and unusual spicing. I dare you to not try their large range of vodkas and desserts.

Address: 74 Blackfriars Road, London, SE1 8AH, UK www.balticrestaurant.co.uk 

For great blinis, great vodka and really great Eastern European food, give Baltic a go. Conveniently located near to Waterloo station and Blackfriars Tube Station, The sleek and stylish Baltic Restaurant & Bar menu boasts all of the bold, exciting flavours that cuisine from the east of Europe is famous for. Crab and crayfish salad, smoked salmon blinis (the best I have ever had) tangy goose leg with beetroot and hake with wild mushrooms to name just a few. The Baltic Bar also prepares its own naturally infused flavoured vodka ranging from honey to plum brandy; definitely worth a try.

This restaurant was established south of the River Thames in 2001 and is Jan Woroniecki’s second restaurant. It is very popular considering its close proximity to Waterloo Station, the Tate Modern and South Bank.

The place was redesigned by architect Seth Stein but still retained its original character. Baltic is situated within a late 18th Century coachbuilder’s building. Step by step, the modest entrance into the Amber Bar expands out into a grand single storey structure with 40-foot wooden trussed ceilings, skylights and galleries, making Baltic a truly unique and exceptional dining experience. I would definitely recommend going here for an evening or even a lunch, depending on what you are looking for. In the evenings there is often jazz as well so combine your evening with a bit of music and tasty food.

If you are off to the theatre, like many London restaurants nowadays, they also offer a pre theatre menu which is two course for £14.50 or three courses for £17.50

Do make sure you try some of the interesting cocktails on offer; I went for a Beetroot Martini which was surprisingly delicious.  

Don’t be put off by the slightly more low key entrance as once inside it is a definite Tardis experience with loads of space. You get some good bread and butter on arrival and there are items on the menu to suit the majority of tastes and all at reasonable prices. An added bonus too, the service is extremely friendly and efficient. To book, check out their booking system online here.

• Learn fascinating facts
• Learn about ingredients and techniques used
• All ingredients used will be easily accessible so that you can enjoy impressing friends at home
• Group will be split into 2 and will compete for the best cocktails
• Winning team will receive a free shot of vodka each

 Prices are £25.00 per person, please email katy@balticrestaurant.co.uk or call 0207 928 1111. 

We are offering exclusive packages for you to hire out part or all of the venue for your 2012 Olympics celebrations. With two private dining areas, complete with high-tech audio visual facilities and a contemporary restaurant and cocktail bar, that will of course be showing the games at they happen, it’s the perfect base for your company, in the heart of London.

Also if you’re lucky enough to have tickets, we’re extremely close to all of the action. Our closest tube station, Southwark (Jubilee line), is less than 1 minute walk away from us, meaning we are lucky enough to have a direct route to all of the main sites; The Olympic Park in Stratford is less than 20 minutes away, North Greenwich is only 15 minutes and Wembley Arena is approximately 40 minutes away – which means no stress travelling!

Our dedicated events team are happy to assist with planning any type of event. Whether you need boardroom meetings, conference space for seminars, client entertainment, a victory party, or to simply sit back, relax and enjoy great food and atmosphere, we can accommodate!

If you are interested in visiting us during this momentous event, then please do give us a call or email us on jw@balticrestaurant.co.uk to register your interest and one of our team will be happy to contact you and discuss your needs and answer any queries you may have.

Our head chef has created a romantically themed three course meal priced at £38.00 per person including a cocktail of your choice.

To take a look at our Valentine’s menu please see here. Should you like to make a booking or have any queries then please do get in touch 0207 928 1111.