Smak Ukrainski

No, that title isn’t a further command from the Fuhrer in the Kremlin. Smak Ukrainski happens to be something you really should do the next time you happen to be in Krakow in Poland.

Whilst many fabulous Polish restaurants were tried and loved, I simply couldn’t resist an opportunity of my first Ukraine culinary experience.

We seem to be struggling and stumbling to fully support their fight for survival against a vicious aggressor. Yet, it turns out they are supporting us in quite delicious ways. The following is just a selection from the full menu…

Plums with Bacon turns out to be something of a sweet and sour taste explosion that leaves your pigs in blankets thrashing about in the proverbial…

Then there is the option of Potato Cakes & Goulash with a side of Young Fried Cabbage. Meat and two veg will never be the same.

But, if Ukraine cuisine came as a pleasant surprise, that was nothing compared to the first discovery of Ukrainian red wine.

After perusing five pages of Georgian wines I was already in liquid heaven. Then the final page delivered up the beautiful surprise.

The dry Merlot instantly opened my eyes to a hitherto unexpected source of the desired nectar. It’s smooth and bold enough to open up peace negotiations with anyone. Well, probably not with intransigent psychopathic Russians.

Until we speak again, it seems Ukraine has a high class offer for us. It’s about time we reciprocated with more than the current warm words and promises.

Solidarity

A visit to Gdansk provides a stark reminder of what Solidarity meant in troubled times across 1980’s Poland. The Solidarity Museum in the heart of the old shipyards bring back memories of when Lech Walesa was international news, and principles and truth meant something to liberal leaning democracies.

It seems that nowadays, as the King of Dumbfuckistan reeks havoc across the world in pursuit of total narcissism, Solidarity is a long forgotten idea. Perhaps it now means little more than a shared moment over capuccino and cake.

Fortunately, Gdansk now has that covered.

Until we speak again, if you feel the state of the news is rather depressing, wasn’t it always thus? Find your own act of Solidarity, even if it is little more than a coffee.