Love brought Natasa Juhász to Hungary in 1984. She studied in Saint Petersburg as a mechanical engineer then worked in transportation but finally switched to catering and hospitality. A few years ago a friend mentioned the idea of a restaurant to her which she didn't like at the first place. But a couple months later she already picked the place for it.

She started to look for a chef on the internet. She found an expired advertisement of András Egri and ever since they work together. András is half Ukrainian and half Hungarian. They opened the restaurant with an authentic Russian party in 2013.

Natasa preferred only to serve Russian food but András mixed the menu with his own experiences and his grandma's secrets as well. Matrjoska's menu based on Russian- Ukrainian dishes with Western European touches.

They only have three dishes which are still on the menu since the opening; the Syrniki with sour cream mousse, Borscht soup and Pelmeni with pork and beef. The duck with pumpkin becoming such a hit that it will most likely join the group of permanent dishes soon.

While we were there they were preparing for a group of 20 with Russian entrées. Cured salmon (Selyodka), potatoes, beetroot, pickled onions and gherkins. We also saw the making of the Blinchiki which is a sort of pancake with smoked salmon and Keta Caviar.

And let me also tell you about a personal experience. The waiter was surprised that I ordered a poppy seed desert. It's an egg cream with strawberries and honey crisps and apparently not the most popular desert, but the combination of the tiny bit sour poppy seed with the sweetness of the cream, the crisps and strawberries is truly brilliant!

If you happen to be in Budapest definitely visit Matrjoska Bistro where Hungarian and Russian hospitality mixed with eastern dishes and western tastes.

Location: Lőrincz Pap tér 3, Budapest VIII., Hungary