The Barrio Escalante district, recognized as the culinary epicenter of the capital, is hosting the Russian Gastronomic Festival. The event, coordinated by the Distrito G platform in collaboration with the Embassy of the Russian Federation, aims to diversify San José’s tourism offerings and promote awareness of Eurasian traditions through cuisine and visual arts.
Under the technical curation of chef Anna Tavgazova, ten establishments in the area have adapted their kitchens to offer an “itinerant menu.” The proposal allows diners to embark on a journey through historic dishes, some prepared according to original recipes and others featuring fusion techniques with local ingredients:
- Main Courses: Highlights include Beef Stroganoff (beef strips in cream sauce) at Vinoteca, and Kulebyaka (a puff pastry pie filled with fish) at Garden Bistró.
- Adaptations: Árbol de Seda restaurant presents a vegan version of Zharkóe (traditional Russian stew), while Agüizotes offers a Shashlik (meat skewer) marinated with tamarind and mango.
- Pastries and Soups: The iconic beet soup Borscht is available at Perséfone, and the traditional honey dessert Medovik takes center stage at Dulce Junio Café.
The festival extends beyond restaurant tables with a schedule of free events designed for the whole family:
- Handicraft Workshops: This Friday, January 30, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., a Matryoshka (traditional wooden doll) painting workshop will be held at Dulce Junio Café.
- Lecture Series: Starting today at 5:00 p.m., the San José Nueva Acrópolis Cultural Center (Demeter Hall) will host talks on Russian history and artistic legacy.
- Entertainment and Art: On Saturday the 31st and Sunday the 1st, open-air photographic exhibitions, folk dance performances, and puppet theater shows for children will take place at various locations along Calle 33.
The Russian Ambassador to Costa Rica, Yury Bedzhanyan, noted that this initiative is essential for strengthening ties between the two nations, allowing Costa Rican audiences to experience Russian cultural heritage firsthand. Meanwhile, organizers from Distrito G emphasized that this type of themed festival is key to revitalizing local commerce and energizing urban public spaces
