KURNIK

A city cafe, whose signature dish is the Russian multi-layered savory pie known as a "kurnik."

"Kurnik – Russian traditions today," is the philosophy behind this Russian restaurant project. "The initial idea came to me when I was a teenager, working in my father's pancake shop and seeing how popular our savory pie was. Everyone, our family and friends, ordered it for every important event, for the people closest to them, and everyone loved it. That's when the idea sparked: every Russian should know about this dish, be proud of our national cuisine, and revive the Russian tradition – the presence of a pie on the festive table," explains Valeria Ivanova, the creator of this unique pie concept. Later, she personally developed and refined over 24 different flavors. In addition to the traditional chicken filling, Kurnik offers options like rabbit/mozzarella/pine nut, lamb/cauliflower/a mix of aromatic herbs, white fish/mushrooms/egg, or something sweeter: cherry with almond cream, or currant/walnut/pear jam. These Kurnik pies are the foundation of the restaurant located on the embankment of the Northern River Station park. The restaurant features three of the most popular flavors: chicken, salmon, and cherry. They are miniature versions of the larger pies and are baked fresh for each guest. The golden, buttery crust, the delicate pancakes inside, the four layers of different fillings, the handmade quality, the passion for the craft, the fresh air, and the water – all contribute to a truly Russian and unique experience. For those who want to explore a wider range of flavors, the project offers delivery of all 24 available flavors. The main menu, created by Chef Evgeny Dmitruk, is concise but carefully curated. The focus is on appetizers and light dishes: young zucchini with aromatic cheese and walnuts, tuna rillettes with roasted peppers, a Pomorian fish soup with lobster, for the main course, sea bass with zucchini and béchamel sauce, or slow-cooked beef cheek with barley and Siberian berries.