"Satisfying our hankering for more savory Ukranian cuisine, we visited our favorite tucked-away Ukrainian-Russian eatery again for more savory presentations. Not unexpectedly proving yet again just what an ideal location this truly is for a romantic dining experience, power luncheon, or relaxing day out together. As most of our culinary experiences have proved during our many visits to Russian Dacha Cafe, this most recent adventure was no exception. We had to show what the lunch special offers at this unassuming tucked-away locale. We arrived with a couple of bottles of our own wine to enjoy with our lunch selections on the “outdoor” patio beneath the flowering bougainvillea tree we have come to love so much. We chose one lunch special and one entree to start. The lunch special came with Kompot, which is a fruit punch of sorts made in nearly every Russian and Ukrainian household. Not too sweet, yet flavorful enough to satisfy on a warm day when dining al fresco, and a visually appealing hue of garnet that mesmerizes the eye. The Red Borsch offering is a selection of items available from the lunch special menu. For just $11.99, patrons may select from a green salad, red borsch or solyanka, a side and an entree from the day’s selection of choices. We started with the Red Borsch above and were quite pleased with the steaming hot, vibrant-colored burst of flavor provided by such a delicious and hearty conglomeration of beets, crushed tomatoes and other compliant vegetables, pieces of lean pork, onions, garlic and a light herb addition. Each spoonful delivered palatable complacency, while the large chunks of beet and potato provided massive flavor and heartiness. Garnished with fresh picked parsley and a side of chilled sour cream, this dish is excellent as a starter for any meal at Russian Dacha Cafe. Not your typical American version of Beef Stroganoff, this entree arrives straight from the oven in a clay serving vessel haloed by crispy fries atop a large serving plate. Not part of the lunch special options, we couldn’t resist trying this Russian feature which included a light addition of sour cream to its already meaty and hearty components of lean beef, sweet onions, thick-cut earthy mushrooms, a savory cream sauce, and coordinating herbs and spices. A perfectly prepared and ample serving, you might just have leftovers to take with you before the night’s over! The Otbivnaya is a tenderized pork steak which is seasoned then dipped in egg and flour then fried to a golden perfection. The lightly breaded exterior locks in the juiciness and savory flavors of this Russian favorite. Served with mashed potatoes and a freshly steamed vegetable medley. A perfectly rounded meal on a single plate, this lunch special choice fulfills as well as enlights with memorable tastes of culinary delight. The Chocolate Cheese Crepes are a subtly sweet and tempting finale to any meal at Russian Dacha Cafe. These delicately wrapped sweetened cheese confections offer an unsurpassable amount of satisfaction. Close your eyes for a moment and just imagine paper-thin pancake-like orbs gently wrapped around a creamy chilled cheese filling, then drizzled with a succulent chocolate sauce and showered with crunchy nuts! Large enough to share with another diner, and especially after the meal we enjoyed on this visit, we consider it the perfect sweet surrender to polish off a lovely meal at Russsian Dacha Cafe. One of our all-time favorite dining institutions in Valley Village, CA offering an intimate and cozy ambience, succulent and flavorsome cuisine options, and no charge for personal bottles of wine, Champagne, or even vodka, Russian Dacha Cafe modestly and successfully leads the competition without hesitation. ESTABLISHMENT DECOR: The decor of Russian Dacha Cafe is alluring in a mysterious, yet intriguing way. Though it appears at first glance to be an indoor establishment with a quaint outdoor dining space is really an entirely outdoor restaurant. The draped canvas coverings force one to feel as though there is a differential dining area, yet the entire area is completely al fresco. Large flat screen televisions advertising Russian music videos creates an intriguing appeal when seated “indoors”, while on the immediate front area beneath a flowering Bougainvillea tree, romantic evenings may be enjoyed during those much loved California afternoons or evenings. FOOD DRINK: Succulent and stunning eye-appealing presentations accompanied by an open corkage allowance for bottles of wine and vodka. LOCATION: The restaurant is located at 5338 Laurel Canyon Boulevard in Valley Village, CA 91607. HOURS: Available for service Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 noon until 10:00 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 Noon until 11:30 PM. The eatery is closed on Mondays. (Call ahead if you plan to arrive late, as the eatery does close when business is slower on certain evenings). SERVICE STAFF: Tania usually serves us the flavor-filled items we often order at Russian Dacha Café. Her ability to befriend customers, level of kindness and professionalism, and sincere devotion to her patrons and her work offer unparalleled customer service to all. PRICE VALUE: The cuisine is enriched with flavor bursting from a varied selection of Russian and Ukrainian favorites at a reasonable price. CORKAGE FEE: No corkage fee at this tucked-away restaurant…including bottles of wine as well as vodka! CONTACT INFO: Phone: (818) 509-5828, Website: [hidden link] PARKING: The easiest parking access exists along the sidewalk in front of the establishment. PRICING: The Lunch Special arrived at a simple $11.99, while the Beef Stroganoff came in at a fair $14.99. We paid no corkage on the two bottles of wine we enjoyed with lunch, and we also indulged in a Cheese and Chocolate Blintz for dessert for an acceptable $6.50."
