Ivan The Kozak

> Location : LG/F 46-48 Cochrane Street, Central, Hong Kong
> Cuisine : Old Eastern European (Ukrainian, Russian)
> Tel. # : (852) 2851-1193
> Website : www.ivanthekozak.com

Labeled as the "one and only authentic Russian and Ukrainian food in Hong Kong," Ivan the Kozak is a lovely restaurant just slightly hidden to the inner left of Cochrane Street in between two restaurants/bar. Once inside, the environment is cozy like a cottage style home. There are a lot of cultural decorations and lighting all around the restaurant. The overall lighting is a little bit dim but if you want a brighter seating location, there are a few tables right next to the window (for daytime using daylight). There's a bar and from my best judgment, the restaurant can hold about 40-50 so people. There's even the infamous "vodka ice room" where the temperature is negative 15 degrees Celsius (clothing provided to keep you warm) for you to drink up to the various types of vodka in traditional Russian style! For further information about this unique activity, check out their website.

Ivan the Kozak provides a regular menu (in its native language/Chinese) that consist of caviar, soup, salad, hot/cold appetizer, main course, and desserts. For pricing ranges from $20 HKD so for soups, $50-60 HKD so for salads and appetizers, $40 HKD so for desserts and $100 HKD plus for main courses. There's also various types of drinks available such as beer (various types of European beers), wine, hard liquor, and other types of cold/hot drinks. Besides all this, they also have a lunch special that consist of two parts: You can get the all you can eat buffet bar with coffee or tea for $59 HKD. The buffet bar consist mostly of various types of themed salads such as mix vegetable, turnips, mushrooms, eggs, cole slaw, red cabbage, pancake strips and other various types of salads. There's also different types of soups such as fish, vegetable, cabbage and Ukrainian bortch. Some fruits are even provided, bread and other minor items. Overall, a good amount of selections. Just for $20 HKD more, you receive the main course which you get to choose from. Every week, there's a new list of main courses that alternates.

For my experience, I got to try the Ox Tongue stew and the Baked Duck Chest for the main course. For the ox tongue stew, the meat was soft and melts in your mouth almost literally. The sauce is semi-thick with mushrooms inside and the taste is mildly salty and just right. Broccoli and your choice of spaghetti or rice is included. The rice is ordinary just like most places but the spaghetti included was spiced in this semi-curry powder like flavor. It was rather unique and I would definitely try it out if I were you rather than rice! The Baked Duck Chest is tender with every piece and this thick white mushroom /eggplant gravy like sauce is poured on top! The sauce has a little sweet taste to it and well balanced with its saltiness. This also came with broccoli and your choice of rice or spaghetti.

I had a very good time with these set lunch main course and the salad/soup/dessert buffet. I would imagine that the items from the regular menu would be EVEN better! Please check the website for the web's version of the menu. There will definitely be another visit from me soon and an update on it! For now, my verdict is...

< 4 out of 5 >