You won't believe what was on the menu of the iconic Kyiv restaurant "Stolichny" in 1975! Check out these fascinating photos.
The Kyiv restaurant "Stolichny" was a favorite spot for the city's elite during the Soviet era. Located on Khreshchatyk, it was renowned for its traditional Ukrainian cuisine. Signature dishes included borscht, fish soup, solyanka, and chicken Kiev.
Interestingly, the restaurant featured a cigar club, and guests were entertained by a program in the evenings. Unfortunately, "Stolichny" did not survive to the present day and was demolished completely.
"Telegraf" shares the story of the iconic restaurant "Stolichny" and invites readers to explore the menu presented to guests in 1975.
What is known about the restaurant "Stolichny"
In the 1960s, there were only 12 restaurants in Kyiv, and "Stolichny" was considered the main establishment of the capital. It had a buffet and spacious, bright halls. Guests were served by polite waiters with white towels on their sleeves.
"Stolichny" offered traditional Ukrainian cuisine, with signature dishes such as borscht, chicken Kiev, fish soup, and solyanka.
A meal here cost, on average, 3 rubles while the average salary was 100 rubles. In the evenings, the restaurant hosted entertainment programs and operated a cigar club.
7 During the day, "Stolichny" attracted students and regular Kyiv residents who would stop by the restaurant's culinary or buffet sections.
In the evenings, however, a wealthier crowd gathered, ordering extensively and enjoying the entertainment.
It was also very prestigious to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings here, as it was seen as a sign of prosperity and wealth.
8 At that time, leaving tips was strictly forbidden, as it was considered "bourgeois handouts." Getting into the establishment was difficult since it was always "fully booked," but magically spots would open up if one offered a "chervonets" to the doorman.
The restaurant also became embroiled in a high-profile corruption scandal due to the embezzlement of material assets and funds (the so-called "Shakhin case").
The restaurant's "shadow" earnings could reach 750 rubles a day, while the average engineer's salary at that time was about 120 rubles per month.
The manager was sentenced to 10 years for manipulating calculation cards and substituting expensive ingredients with cheaper ones in dishes.
9 The menu of the "Stolichny" restaurant in 1975
The restaurant's menu was quite diverse for its time. Guests were offered first and second courses, appetizers, desserts, and drinks.
There was also a bar and a cigar menu available.
Guests could order set lunches, which cost between 1.60 and 2.20 rubles. These were a treat for Kyiv students a couple of times a month, allowing them to experience the restaurant atmosphere and enjoy a good meal.
0 1 The main menu featured signature dishes such as:
- chicken Kiev for 1 ruble 75 kopecks
- beef patties for 95 kopecks
- liver for 1 ruble 02 kopecks
- dough dumplings baked with lard for 32 kopecks.
Borscht was priced at 40 kopecks, fish soup at 19 kopecks, liver at 60 kopecks, and meatballs with a side for 55 kopecks.
2 Among the appetizers, notable mentions include "Metro" salad for 81 kopecks, aspic sturgeon with lemon for 99 kopecks, salmon for 84 kopecks, and boiled pork for 40 kopecks.
There were also various pickles, types of fish, cheese, and sausage available.
3 The bar menu included various alcoholic beverages. Interestingly, they were served in "containers" of 100 grams. Guests could choose from vodka, dry and strong wines, champagne, liqueurs, as well as beer, juices, and carbonated drinks.
The most expensive and elite was the "Kyiv" cognac, priced at 4 rubles 35 kopecks.
4 5 6 Desserts included ice cream, pastries, chocolate, and candies.
The "Stolichny" also had a cigar club where guests could purchase filtered and non-filtered cigarettes. For example, a pack of "Belomor-Channel" cost 22 kopecks, while "Stolichny" cigarettes were 40 kopecks.
7 Where the "Stolichny" restaurant was located and what happened to it
The restaurant was situated in the Pechersk district of Kyiv near the "Dnipro" metro station at the address: Khreshchatyk, 5.
In 2003, the restaurant building was demolished because plans were made to construct a high-rise hotel complex on its site. However, times changed, and those plans never materialized.
It is known that the architectural competition resulted in a project that proposed preserving the architectural ensemble of Khreshchatyk, which did not satisfy the client, as they wanted only to build a high-rise.
Therefore, for over 20 years, the site where the "Stolichny" restaurant once stood has remained empty. This iconic establishment now exists only in photographs and the memories of its patrons.
8 9 Previously, "Telegraf" reported on how the famous Kyiv restaurant "Dubki" looked. The establishment hosted many renowned personalities, and several well-known feature films were shot on its premises.