Veselka - challa-luliah

When i first walked in to Veselka, the cashier was wearing a t-shirt that read challa-luliah which i thought was quite amusing. It made me think that they might find my Feed Me NY pitch funny (it included a double meaning 'I'm not waffling') and they did.

And so I've been invited a second time for dinner to try the combination platter which i was told is quite popular among Ukrainian and non alike.

But first i will comment on the sticky bun (pecan cinnamon) breakfast pastry (or dessert if you prefer) which i took with me on my way out from eating breakfast there. if you like sticky buns, you will love this one. It is very sweet and lightly warmed, it is scrumptious. It's sticky and gooey and very satisfying.

Now for dinner. I was greeted by the night floor manager, Kawsar, who first had to check before offering me a seat. I sat at the counter which is where i sat the last time. My waitress Irene (Iryna - another attentive and very friendly waitress) suggested the deluxe combination platter which includes meat (there is also a vegetarian combo platter). "It includes soup and i would suggest the borscht, it is with beets, which is traditionally Ukrainian," she said. They offer other soups like lentil and split pea but i went with the borscht to fulfill the Ukrainian theme of the night and also because i have never tried Borscht. She explained the combo platter included a kielbasa (Ukrainian sausage), 1 meat pierogi, 1 cabbage pierogi, 1 potato pierogi, stuffed cabbage and a green salad. "Would you like to try Ukrainian beer?" she asked. "Sure". This particular type of beer is called Obolon.

You can't beet the borscht -

Iryna brought me a very colorful (deep pink / fuscia) bowl of soup and said that traditionally borscht is eaten with sour cream. She put some bread down and said "this is ukrainian style challah bread". The soup was sweet and very good. Next was the green salad which was a simple mixed green; light. The platter came next and she pointed to the different items on the plate which also included fried onions, beets.

The platter was very good and very filling. I took part of the sausage and the cabbage to go and had it for lunch the next day.

"How do you like working here?" I asked Iryna. "I love it," she said. " I am Ukrainian and I was so happy to come to US and find a Ukrainian restaurant in the middle of the east village. I was so excited." "How long have you been working here?" I asked. "Since February 2005." She continued," it is a good place to eat, it combines Ukrainian and American, we have burgers.... I have regulars that come once a year from Canada, they buy plates and mugs."

"We also have polish dishes like Bigos which is sauerkraut and porc," she said. "It has a lot of history." I did see a sign outside that read Patti Smith's last meal, I will have to ask about that.

Kurt, the cook behind the counter, asked me where I was from and he said: " I'm from Antigua, British Antigua. I've been here since 10. I'm working a double." He commented on my t-shirt and thought it was funny.

I ordered carrot cake for dessert which broke with the Ukrainian theme and then I felt a bit bad do I ordered another dessert to satisfy the theme: Kutya, a pudding made with whole wheat, berries, raisins, walnuts, poppy seeds and honey. I asked Iryna what it was and she said it is usually served as a Christmas dish but they serve it all year long.

"Did you like the Kutya?" It tasted like something you would find at a health food store. It is sweet, almost like a cereal.

Sonam, the take out guy, handed me a coffee to go and I was on my way.

Another great meal (on the house) at Veselka. Thank you!

Veselka - open 24 hours. Credit cards. Outdoor patio. Full menu.