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Kerry Kubilius
Kerry's Eastern Europe Travel Blog

By Kerry Kubilius, About.com Guide to Eastern Europe Travel

Russian Food in Columbus, Ohio

Saturday September 20, 2008
If you're in the neighborhood, Ohio's capital city is now home to a Russian restaurant called "Hawa Russia" (Nasha Rossiya). The restaurant is extremely new, so some of its kinks in service and atmosphere need to be ironed out, but the traditional Khokloma plates decorating the walls, the mural in a similar theme, and the other friendly touches are a welcome sight for anyone missing Russia.

Reviews are mixed about this restaurant, but if you're new to Russian food, Hawa Russia makes a good introduction to some of the most popular dishes. Beet soup, pelmeni, pirozhki, and other traditional specialties are on the menu. If you so choose, you can even try kvas.

Life is too short not to try Russian food. Though your fellow Columbus diners may attempt some unorthodox combinations (one blogger used pirozhki as "bread sticks"), and your fellow Russian diners may mock any attempts at reproducing their national cuisine, Hawa Russia makes available dishes that would otherwise remain unknown to a city that has long been bereft of Russian food. Full credit should be given to those behind Hawa Russia for giving residents of, and visitors to, Columbus, Ohio, the opportunity to experience this tasty cuisine.

Hawa Russia is located at 2680 E. Dublin Granville Rd, Columbus, Ohio. The chef is from Ukraine and has worked at other restaurants serving classic Russian dishes.

Comments
September 22, 2008 at 10:36 am
(1) David Cottrell says:

Wonderful Kerry! I don’t often go to Columbus from Marion, Ohio but the restaurant is definitely on my side of town and I shall go! And I must take my cook son.

I’m sure for a bowl of good borscht made by a Ukrainian Chef we can overlook all the things that need to be worked out. I’ve never made pirozhki, fried or baked, so this will be a treat.
Thanks much,
Na Bci Dobre
David Cottrell, http://www.ukraineorphans.net

November 19, 2008 at 1:49 pm
(2) Susmita says:

Enjoyed reading your blog!

November 27, 2009 at 10:28 pm
(3) Zman says:

Worst Russian restaurant in the history of midwest. It got shut down a few months ago for serious health violations. Owners are conniving people. Don’t do anything that involves them!

November 30, 2009 at 7:55 pm
(4) russian_in_ctown says:

I completely agree with previous reviewer. Both my wife and I were born and raised in different parts of former Soviet Union and throughout my life I have never eaten such a poor imitation or an excuse for Russian cuisine. My family had gone to this establishment couple of times and both times customer service was outrageous. The food that they claimed was home-made was not (it was made in Brooklyn and shipped vacuumed sealed bags). Kitchen and prep room were filthy and were not maintained up to standards. It is a shame that its owner-operator is not as interested in providing an overall satisfying customer service experience as he is interested in filling his pockets with money.

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