A Hidden Gem in Suzdal: Ogurets Restaurant is a Must-Visit!

Hello!

I've been to Suzdal countless times, but I always skipped this place, relying on trendy blogger reviews and ratings. Big mistake! Conceptual cafes and restaurants are great, but there's nothing like good old Russian food with a twist. This time, our visit coincided with a harsh frost, and we'd already driven two regions, were starving, and it was getting late. I didn't feel like reinventing the wheel, so I was determined to try 'Ogurets' (you can't miss the green neon sign or the tempting offer to buy farm-fresh produce). My husband was hesitant at first, but after seeing the reviews on Yandex and the rating, he agreed.

As we walked through the arch and stepped inside, we were initially confused. The door leading to the restaurant had a clear 'out of order' sign, but people were getting dressed in the lobby... So, there must be something else, and our deduction paid off – a coffee shop had taken over the main hall as a temporary dining area.

The interior is spacious, with plenty of tables, making it clear that this is the main venue. Guests were already seated and enjoying their meals, which only made our mouths water more, with all the aromas, displays, and menu options.

The real showstopper here is the massive fridge stocked with those same farm-fresh products that were calling out to us from the street! We didn't end up buying any food this time, unfortunately, but there was one thing I was dead set on not leaving without - that classic Suzdal mead. I ordered a glass to go with my meal as soon as I sat down and promptly bought two liters to take home (with that same yellow label featuring a bird that's served everywhere, trust me on that one). But 'Cucumber' didn't let me down and started serving up his signature drink at some point - it's a bit pricier, coming in at 400 rubles more. I'm not downplaying its merits, but I thought 1200 rubles for a liter of sweet soda was a bit steep, so I went for two of the classic ones at 800 rubles each. A few years ago, it was a fraction of the price, but that's Suzdal for you!

Ogurcevaya (cucumber) theme is heavily supported in the interior design, decorations, and menu offerings!) You can try the cucumber raf, how's that for you? Or the signature dandelion coffee substitute that's become another local favorite. It's a fact that a factory producing dried dandelion root used to operate in Suzdal. And you can try this healthy coffee alternative right here at Cucumber's!) If you want to dive deeper, you'll find articles about this place. All roads lead to...you get the idea.

Service was good. The guys were pretty friendly and efficient with taking our order and serving up the food. We didn't take too long to decide - hunger was doing its thing, and there were plenty of options on the menu.

I scanned the menu quickly and my eyes landed on the borscht with duck (650 rubles)! That's exactly what I needed after a long, cold journey. The soup looked pretty good and tasted okay, but the temperature was a bit off. I don't like my soups to be lukewarm, I prefer them hot, but this one was just too cool. Still, everything was devoured, including the toasty with bacon and sour cream. The only downside was the cold sour cream, which added a bit of chill to the meal.

One thing that stood out was the distinct flavor of the duck. I'm not a big fan of game meat and usually find the smell off-putting. This time, there was no overpowering aroma, but you could still taste the duck. If I had my way, I'd have opted for a classic beef borscht.

For my main course, I chose the classic pelmeni with two types of meat - pork and beef (570 rubles). I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with the pelmeni from Suzdal. This wasn't my first experience with Suzdal pelmeni, and it was just as great as the first time. I liked the option to choose how I wanted my pelmeni cooked - either boiled or fried. I opted for the healthier option.

My husband, on the other hand, went for three dishes. Apparently, his ravenous appetite couldn't resist the tempting options. He chose the Olivier salad with duck (640 rubles) to start.

When it came to the salad, the duck's flavor got lost in the mix. With so many ingredients, its unique taste got watered down, and it didn't stand out as much. My partner, on the other hand, really enjoyed it.

The hot dish was a different story. It took the server a while to decide, but in the end, they went with a Suzdal-style chicken cutlet with broccoli purée (810 rubles). The broccoli purée was a bit of a gamble - I asked a few kids who'd suffered through veggie purées, and they all agreed it was a form of torture. But the cutlets were surprisingly good - juicy, tender, and filling. The best part was the amount of juice and oil inside, which just melted in your mouth due to its silky texture. It's not the cheapest option on the menu, but it's definitely a winner.

And of course, we had to try the dessert! It was only natural after enjoying two of the dishes.

We had a choice between a cucumber ice cream (which I would've opted for if it wasn't freezing outside) and the signature cucumber 'tobolka' (an open-top pastry). The server was adamant we try the tobolka, and my partner was more than happy to give in to the sweet temptation. So, we ended up with a slice of 'cucumber cheesecake' for 390 rubles. I'd never heard of tobolka before, but the pastry looked and tasted like a cheesecake. I took a small bite and unfortunately, I didn't pick up on the cucumber notes... maybe I just didn't get enough. Overall, it was a pleasant, not too sweet, and light flavor. You can enjoy it with a cup of coffee or chicory.

When it came to drinks, I had already decided on the mead, and my husband was driving, so he opted for something spicy and hot, like a sbitnya to warm himself up. He enjoyed it, but the lingering aftertaste was a bit much for him.

I decided to take a walk up to the second floor, where the restroom is located. I was expecting a boring space with cramped stalls, but what I found was a really unique and refreshing oasis.

The attention to detail is consistent throughout the place, and that's really impressive. It's the little things that make a big difference and leave a lasting impression.

Everything is spotless, tidy, and well-maintained, which is always a plus.

Even the more mundane areas, like the space with the subtle advertising, can be used as a makeshift backdrop for your content.

We really enjoyed our visit to the cucumber place, and we'll definitely be back. The cucumber ice cream and cucumber raf are a must-try, and even if they don't blow your mind, they're definitely an interesting tourist spot. I highly recommend stopping by for a visit – you won't regret it!