Eat Great Cheap 2013At this authentically gut-busting tour of Russia and Uzbekistan, a gem of the Ballston dining scene, owner/chef Bakhtiyor Rakhmatullaev demonstrates the manifold and delicious possibilities inherent in meat and dough—from the terrific lineup of savory stuffed pastries (samsas, cheburekis, and piroshkas) to the pelmeni (tortellini-like dumplings filled with ground beef) and manti (palm-size pillows filled with peppery lamb and topped with yogurt) that form the backbone of the small menu. For a change of pace—or just to lighten the heartiness—opt for the excellent smoked-fish platter, a generous assortment of salmon, butterfish, and sturgeon.
See all of our 2013 Cheap Eats picks.
Ann Limpert joined Washingtonian in late 2003. She was previously an editorial assistant at Entertainment Weekly and a cook in New York restaurant kitchens, and she is a graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education. She lives in Petworth.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
