Kiev: Chase Is on!

 
In Kiev, gold is not only to be seen shining from the domes of the churches and monasteries. It can also be felt. Here, the atmosphere is akin to the gold-rush fever prevailing in Moscow. The citizens of the capital not only have higher incomes and a better education. They also go out much more than people in the rest of the country and visit a restaurant up to five times a month. ‘Normal’ people in the Ukraine eat out only once or twice a month. However, the choice in the city is very much greater: with around 1,800 foodservice outlets, Kiev is the heavyweight among the six major cities of the Ukraine. Report by Pierre Nierhaus.
 

 
Three million people live in the capital of the Ukraine: several hundred super-rich citizens, a growing middle class with a significantly better education and higher incomes than the national average, the great mass of the population and a number of expatriates. The eating-out market is clearly split up. As in Moscow and New York, the super-rich dine in exclusive top restaurants. Only the best is good enough. The bulk of the people goes to buffet restaurants where they obtain large portions for small sums of money. The fast-food market is divided up between hamburger-giant McDonald’s and local companies. Between the very top and the bottom, the casual and casualelegant segments offer a great potential, as shown by the high degree of acceptance accorded to restaurants with Italian and French cuisine and the current sushi trend. The Russian influence is noticeable in the foodservice sector, as in society. Thus, Moscow-based leader of the casual-dining segment, Rosinter, covers all popular food trends with its brands. Europe plays a highly popular model role. Vital, keen to learn and oriented towards material prosperity, the Ukrainians are striving to catch up with their model. Developments take place in fast motion. Intermediate stages are simply leapfrogged. The chase is on!
 
Types of restaurant
 

 
Two culinary styles are particularly successful: traditional and European. The Ukrainians prefer meat-based dishes from their own and neighbouring countries. A phenomenon typical of East Eur -ope is also to be seen in Kiev: buffet restaurants, which attract a varied spectrum of guests who can devour large portions for €3-5. Generally speaking, traditional cuisine is to be found here and in the simpler restaurants. However, Ukrainian dishes are also served in top restaurants.
 

 
A speciality is skewered meat in all varieties. Besides beer, the standard drink, menus in good restaurants include wine from the Ukraine, Georgia and Moldavia, as well as leading wine regions of thewestern world. The casual segment is dominated by ethnic food. American, Asian and European specialties – nothing has been left out. At present, sushi is ‘in’: there are 16 sushi bars spread over thecity. Planet Sushi, Yakitoriya and 7Samuras also offer a delivery service. Also fashionable are Mexican and Moroccan restaurants. In the casual segment, the price spiral is turning upwards with a starter and main course now costing around €12.
 

 

 
| 15 April 2008 |