If I had a £1 for every time a skeptic of Russian cuisine takes their first bite into a ZIMA dish and their face lights up with a pleasant surprise, I would have found my fortune by now! Once upon a time that skeptic was me when a boyfriend suggested we try ZIMA Russian restaurant as we strolled down Frith Street on a desperate hunt for food on a date night.
Well, that relationship quickly fizzled away, but not before it ignited my love for the Russian (food that is). Three years on, I still get excited about trying my favourite dishes and their debut seasonal specials, even if I have to book a table for one. And that was my reasoning when I chose ZIMA for a recent working lunch meeting, this time a table for two…
What’s on the ZIMA menu? Must-have autumn specials…
The Seasonal Specials boast of seafood and vegetarian dishes which may come as a surprise. The Baltic herring fillet (£9) with beetroot, red onions and apples, served on top of rye bread is a delight, as is the debut Potato doughnuts stuffed with mushrooms (£10) served with creamy mushroom sauce and truffle oil – a great example of ZIMA being inventive to create real comfort food gems you wouldn’t expect! The Aubergine caviar (£12) is fast becoming a regular staple on the menu, served with dill oil and pomegranate. I didn’t have space for it, but if going without dessert is a crime for you then the Sharlotka — applecake (£10) served with lemon cream and raspberries is a must!
We really can’t talk about comfort food without mentioning Pelmeni – Dumplings! ZIMA have perfectected theirs so well they only need to offer three; a meat, fish and vegetarian option. My absolute favourite dish, and must-have each time I visit ZIMA is the Black fish Pelmeni (£16.50) made from from black squid dough, served with lobster and salmon roe. On this recent visit I noticed that the recipe has been upgraded to included a richer, creamy seafood bisque which is divine! Though I’m not much of a meat eater, a bite of the Pelmeni with lamb (£15) served with yogurt garlic sauce had me questioning this decision… hence why I’m proudly a flexitarian!
On the table: Black fish Pelmeni, Pelmeni with lamb
To drink, classics such as the Russian Mule (£12.75) and Trans-Siberian Express (£12.75) are fitting, however you’d be doing yourself a great disservice if you don’t at least try a shot of their renowned NASTOYKA (you get a pass if you don’t drink alcohol). I’m taken back to the launch night of ZIMA’s subterranean karaoke bar in the basement of the restaurant, where their in-house sweet and savoury nastoyka, vodka infusions (using JJ Whitley vodka), are blended and bottled. That night I got to try all (for research purposes of course!) their selection of nastoykas… yet I still can’t decide on a favourite! If in doubt go for the Infusion Set (£39) 5 flavours / 10 shots × 25 ml): horseradish, sea buckthorn, strawberry, cranberry, blackcurrant.
I’m excited to see what the Winter Special menu will bring, though I don’t doubt ‘Comfort food’ with a capital C will be right at the top, enjoy!
ZIMA fundraises for the “Gift of Life” charity by adding a voluntary £1 per table to your bill. Your pound will help children with cancer or haematological disease in Russia to receive the best medical care possible as well as non-medical support.
Read about ZIMA’s fundraising efforts to support Ukrainian refugees CLICK HERE!
Remember when ZIMA was restaurant on the front cover of My Soho Times magazine?
Written by Kai Lutterodt | @the.soho.girl
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ZIMA Russian Restaurant, 45 Frith St, London W1D 4SD
020 7494 9111 | www.zima.restaurant | IG: @zimarestaurant
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