{"id":63834,"date":"2023-06-06T00:01:44","date_gmt":"2023-06-06T06:01:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=63834"},"modified":"2026-04-06T10:32:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:32:08","slug":"alyonka-russian-cuisine-boise-idaho","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nmgastronome.com\/?p=63834","title":{"rendered":"Alyonka Russian Cuisine – Boise, Idaho"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Alyonka Russian Cuisine in Boise, Idaho<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In the 1970s when most people still had a sense of humor and society wasn’t offended by virtually everything, Wendy’s ran a commercial humorously depicting a Soviet fashion show<\/strong><\/a>. \u00a0This fashion show portrayed a heavyset (calorically challenged if you insist on political correctness) Russian woman modeling day wear, evening wear and swim wear. \u00a0In each case, the attire was exactly the same–a drab wool sack with matching hat. \u00a0Only her accessories were different: a beach ball for swim wear and a flashlight for evening wear. \u00a0A Soviet ambassador appeared on television to condemn the depiction of Russian womanhood. \u00a0Before the show, he agreed to watch the commercial and reportedly fell over laughing (as did the KGB agents standing guard). \u00a0Just as his segment came on the air, he managed to regain his composure in time to put on a scowl and condemn Wendy’s depravity. \u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Perhaps because of the Cold War and lack of information coming out from behind the Iron Curtain, stereotypes about life in the Soviet Union continue to persist. \u00a0The fun and interesting Russian Life blog<\/strong><\/a> lists seven myths about Russian cuisine: (1) It\u2019s just meat and potatoes<\/strong>. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, a typical Russian feast starts with a table brimming with salads made from fresh vegetables, pickled foods, cheeses and smoked fish. (2) It\u2019s heavy<\/strong>. Only if you want it to be. A well-prepared Russian meal draws on a wide range of fresh dairy, fish, and garden-grown products. It can be very rich, yes, but rich does not have to equal heavy. (3) It\u2019s fattening<\/strong>. Not so. Russian cuisine emphasizes whole foods, whether grain, dairy or vegetables.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Chef-Owner Elena DeYoung on the Phone at Alyonka, a Very Charming Little Restaurant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The remaining four: (4)\u00a0It\u2019s just an excuse to drink vodka<\/strong>. Vodka is the national drink and for hundreds of years has been an integral part of the Russian dining experience (especially the rich array of infused vodkas), but that doesn\u2019t mean it should be taken to excess. (5) It\u2019s too time-consuming.<\/strong> Fine for the Russian Tea Room. But for my home?!<\/strong> Unless you decide to labor for hours over a perfect coulibiac, home-style Russian cooking doesn\u2019t take very much time at all. \u00a0(6) It\u2019s little more than 101 Ways to Cook Cabbage<\/strong>. Yes, cabbage, served fresh, preserved and cooked, has a strong supporting role on the Russian table, but it never steals the scene. (7) It doesn\u2019t offer any good desserts.<\/strong> Well, the proof is in the kasha, and if you\u2019ve ever had Guriev kasha, you know Russians love creamy deserts, airy tortes and flaky pies<\/span><\/p>\n

The last time my Kim and I visited a Russian restaurant was in Las Vegas where we didn’t experience any of the seven myths noted in the Russian Life blog. \u00a0To the contrary, we were guided through a delightful introduction to the delicious delectations from the former Red Empire. \u00a0To my knowledge, Albuquerque has never been graced by a purely Russian restaurant. \u00a0We’ve had several restaurants (such as Aura<\/strong><\/a>) that serve some culinary delights common to several nations of the region, but none are exclusively Russian. \u00a0I was unable to find an estimate as to how many Russian restaurants there are across the fruited plain, but surmise there aren’t many.<\/span><\/p>\n

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This Guy Eats Everywhere<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives<\/strong><\/a> website confirms that even the most popular of all Food Network shows shares our findings: “It’s not too often we come across a 100% authentic Russian spot to dine at here in the USA<\/em>.” \u00a0In an episode titled “A World of Meats<\/em>” which first aired on Friday, March 31, 2023, one of those rare Russian restaurants was featured when host Guy Fieri and his crew visited Alyonka Russian Cuisine in Boise. \u00a0It was one of the few episodes of the show we missed, so it was entirely coincidental that we visited some three and a half months later. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As with other Russian restaurants across the country, Alyonka has the challenge of perception to deal with. \u00a0Bon Apetit indicates that Russian restaurant owners in the US face bullying and shame<\/strong><\/a> on account of the Russian attack on the Ukraine. \u00a0 Alyonka’s owner Elena DeYoung posted a heartfelt video message on Instagram: \u201cFood is not about politics. It\u2019s about love and friendship. Here in our restaurant, we have people from all over the world. We have Armenian (people) close to me. We have Ukrainians working shoulder to shoulder. We have Russian people \u2013 people from Belarus. And Americans too<\/em>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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Assorted Pickled Vegetables<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Elena, whose nickname as a child was “Alyonka,”couldn’t have been any more gracious and kind to us. \u00a0Not surprisingly she feel in love with The Dude, our debonair dachshund. \u00a0She praised the community of Boise for its continued support of her restaurant. \u00a0In addition to being the owner and chef of Alyonka\u2019s, she is the event coordinator for Boise\u2019s popular Russian Food Festival, one of the reasons she’s beloved in the city. \u00a0She reciprocates the city’s affections in a very active Facebook page. \u00a0She recently posted: “We are grateful and honored to be named the Best European Restaurant in Idaho! \u00a0(Two years in a row!<\/em>)”<\/span><\/p>\n

During his visit to Alyonka, host Guy Fieri enjoyed Pelmeni dumplings and Plov, a delectable lamb dish. \u00a0Fieri Guy raved about the Pelmeni: “This is the best thing I have eaten this year<\/em>.” \u00a0He was just as effusive about the Plov: “Great ingredients cooked the right way could produce the right flavor. I am digging around for the lamb; it is my favorite part<\/em>.” \u00a0These are among the many appetizing comfort foods on the menu, all created from fresh ingredients and made from scratch. \u00a0 The menu showcases cold and warm appetizers, entrees and some of the most unique and uniquely wonderful desserts we’ve ever had.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Beef Stroganoff with Buckwheat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Among the appetizers are several that belie any of the aforementioned myths about Russian cuisine. \u00a0We selected Assorted Pickled Vegetables<\/strong><\/em> (tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic, pattypan squash and homemade sauerkraut served with authentic Russian rye bread). \u00a0 Frankly when we ordered this preprandial combo, we weren’t sure what to expect, but we do know how much we love pickled vegetables. \u00a0We were surprised that the pickling wasn’t of the lip-pursing variety. \u00a0Sometimes pickling obfuscates the flavor of vegetables. \u00a0Alyonka’s brine and spices allowed the freshness and crispness of all vegetables to shine. \u00a0Also quite luminous is the Russian rye bread with butter. \u00a0It’s a rather thin bread, but it’s earthy and tangy with that distinct sour aftertaste. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Try as I might, it’s a challenge for me not to order beef stroganoff on the rare occasion we find it on a menu. \u00a0It’s been that way since my strapping youth hiking the rugged mountains of the Carson National Forest. \u00a0Boy Scout Troop 512 discovered (on an actual catalog) dehydrated meals that were ostensibly lighter and easier to carry than the canned alternatives. \u00a0Among those dehydrated delights was beef stroganoff. \u00a0For some reason, I was the only scout brave enough to even try it. \u00a0It’s been a lifelong love affair. \u00a0Alyonka offers three versions–one made with rice, one with noodles and one with buckwheat. \u00a0 Naturally I ordered the “most authentic,” the beef stroganoff<\/strong><\/em> made with buckwheat. \u00a0 Buckwheat isn’t solely a character in Spanky And Our Gang, it’s a rather strong grain. \u00a0Not everyone will love the flavor and texture of this grain, but I loved it. \u00a0Alyonka’s version is the best I’ve ever had. \u00a0It’s flavorful and comforting, loaded with moist hamburger, onions and mushrooms. \u00a0It’s a Russian comfort food that’s more than stew, better than any one-pot dish. \u00a0 It’s Russian Nirvana.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Vareniki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My Kim found the name Vareniki<\/strong><\/em> interesting because it sounds like the name of a Siberian village named Varykino<\/strong><\/a> on the Academy award-winning movie Dr. Zhivago. \u00a0Vareniki, it turns out, are handmade Russian style dumplings with a potato and mushroom filling, served with butter and sour cream. \u00a0Interestingly, Varenyky are a national dish of Ukraine, but they resemble many a pierogi we’ve had. \u00a0In fact, the only real terminology is in what they’re named–pierogi in Poland and vareniki in Russia. \u00a0Ten vareniki per order are a lot to eat considering how rich each of these dumplings is. \u00a0The one thing that would improve these and cut the richness is fried onions fried to a pearlescent translucence \u00a0with crispy bacon (the way pierogi are prepared at the Red Rock Deli<\/strong><\/a>). \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The myth we’ll forever find most ridiculous is that Russians don’t have good desserts. \u00a0Both my Kim and I fell absolutely head-over-heels in love with the Roy<\/strong>a<\/em>l Poppy Seed Chocolate Ganache Cake <\/strong><\/em>(the hint of rum, roasted cashews over chocolate ganache, not overly sweet fluffy frosting, and super soft and moist cake layers). \u00a0It’s simply one of the very best desserts we’ve had anywhere. \u00a0It was also a complete surprise. \u00a0We though it might be good, but it crossed the line into spectacular, amazing, magnificent…name your own adjective. \u00a0It reminded me so much of the chocolate ganache we enjoyed in Europe \u00a0As someone who doesn’t like anything overly sweet (except for The Dude), this decadent dessert fit the bill. \u00a0Every layer of this moist cake was a joy to luxuriate through. \u00a0You definitely won’t want to rush through this dessert or you’ll mourn when it’s all gone. \u00a0This dessert alone is worth a trip to Idaho.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Royal Poppy Seed Chocolate Ganache Cake, One of the Very Best Desserts I’ve Ever Had<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We debunked all the seven myths about Russian cuisine and have fallen in love with a cuisine that should be ranked with the world’s biggest culinary surprises. \u00a0Myths should be left to ancient Greeks and Romans. \u00a0Experiencing great food should be left to real people who enjoy dining diversity. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alyonka Russian Cuisine<\/strong>
\n2870 West State Street
\nBoise, Idaho<\/strong>
\n(208) 344-8996
\nWebsite<\/strong><\/a> | Facebook Page<\/strong><\/a>
\nLATEST VISIT<\/strong>: 6 June 2023
\n# OF VISITS<\/strong>: 1
\nRATING<\/strong>: N\/R
\nCOST<\/strong>: $$
\nBEST BET<\/strong>: Royal Poppy Seed Chocolate Ganache Cake, Beef Stroganoff, Vareniki, Assorted Pickled Vegetables
\nREVIEW #1336<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the 1970s when most people still had a sense of humor and society wasn’t offended by virtually everything, Wendy’s ran a commercial humorously depicting a Soviet fashion show. \u00a0This fashion show portrayed a heavyset (calorically challenged if you insist on political correctness) Russian woman modeling day wear, evening wear and swim wear. \u00a0In each case, the attire was exactly the same–a drab wool sack with matching hat. \u00a0Only her accessories were different: a beach ball for swim wear and a flashlight for evening wear. \u00a0A Soviet ambassador appeared on television to condemn the depiction of Russian womanhood. \u00a0Before the show, he agreed to watch the commercial and reportedly fell over laughing (as did the KGB agents standing guard). \u00a0Just…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":63839,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1762,703,3067,5647,3071,553],"tags":[3121,3120,3119,1160,3122,1678,749,3124,3125,3123],"class_list":["post-63834","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-diners-drive-ins-and-dives","category-dog-friendly","category-idaho","category-rating-n-r","category-russian","category-across-america","tag-assorted-pickled-vegetables","tag-beef-stroganoff","tag-best-european-restaurant-in-idaho","tag-diners-drive-ins-dives","tag-elena-deyoung","tag-food-network","tag-guy-fieri","tag-pelemi","tag-plov","tag-russian-rye-bread"],"yoast_head":"\nAlyonka Russian Cuisine - 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