BALT

A restaurant specializing in local, modern cuisine inspired by the history of the ancient Balts, aiming to showcase the beauty and unique characteristics of the Baltic region through its dishes and beverages.

The restaurant "BALT" is named after the ancient people who inhabited the territory of the Kaliningrad region and the Baltic states. The Balts are the ancestors of all Baltic peoples and the founders of the local culture. They led a settled lifestyle, engaging in agriculture and animal husbandry, hunting, and fishing. Recipes from Baltic tribes are reflected in the menu, such as Kurshian flatbreads baked in a wood-fired oven and Yatvyag pies cooked on stones. The cuisine is based on local gastronomy and the principle of seasonality. The restaurant's main goal is to reveal the beauty of the maritime climate through its dishes and drinks. Like the ancient Baltic tribes, the chefs use the gifts of nature to prepare the dishes. The main ingredients are local fish and game. Most dishes are cooked over an open fire, in a wood-fired oven and on a grill. For example, catfish is baked in birch branches and served with cauliflower, a honey sauce, and herbs.

Every morning, the head chef personally visits the fishermen to select fresh herring and whiting. Frozen fish is never used in the kitchen; the proximity to the sea allows the restaurant to focus on freshness and quality. At least once a week, the team also visits local farmers to purchase meat and milk. This allows them to control the process at every stage.

"BALT" is one of the few restaurants in the region that boasts its own cheese-making facility. Currently, they produce soft and young cheeses such as stracciatella, burrata, brynza, halloumi, suluguni, and ricotta, which are featured on the restaurant's menu. These cheeses are made using milk from Holstein cows, the largest and most productive breed.

The restaurant's bar menu reflects the diversity of the Baltic region. The drinks include smoked berries, sea buckthorn, black elderberry, rowan, rose hips, and other local products. Teas are made from herbs and wild plants that grow in the Kaliningrad region. A dedicated bar laboratory develops cocktails and infusions, where the team experiments with flavors and recipes. The preparation of some drinks can take up to six months. To preserve the original flavor of the product, the minimum amount of sugar is used in the recipes.

The building that houses the restaurant is also historic. In the 19th century, Zelenogradsk, then known as Krantz, transformed from a small village into a royal resort. In 1843, the main guest house of the city, the Kurhaus Krantz, was built, becoming the center of resort life. In 2007, the building was completely restored and renovated. It now houses the renovated "Kurhaus Krantz" hotel, the "BALT" restaurant, and a traditional bakery called "Khleb."