How to Host the Perfect Eastern European Dinner Party

Want a dinner party your guests will remember? Eastern European cuisine offers incredible flavors, beautiful presentation, and warm hospitality tradition.

Start with Zakuski (Appetizers)

No Eastern European gathering begins without zakuski—an array for grazing while guests arrive.

Essential Zakuski

Pickled vegetables:

• Dill pickles (the cornerstone)
• Pickled tomatoes
• Marinated mushrooms
• Sauerkraut

Cured meats & fish:

• Sliced kolbasa
• Smoked salmon or herring
• Pâté

Cheeses & dairy:

• Brynza (crumbly sheep's cheese)
• Farmer's cheese spreads
• Sour cream

Bread:

• Dark rye, sliced
• Black bread

Salads:

• Olivier salad
• Vinegret (beet salad)
• Fresh cucumber-tomato salad

Presentation tip: Arrange on platters with fresh dill, parsley, lemon wedges. Use rustic wooden boards.

Main Course Options

Pelmeni or Vareniki

Dumplings are always crowd-pleasers.

Serve with: Sour cream, melted butter, fried onions, fresh dill

Time-saver: Buy frozen pelmeni and boil fresh.

Golubtsi (Stuffed Cabbage)

Cabbage leaves stuffed with seasoned ground meat and rice in tomato sauce.

Make-ahead tip: These taste better the next day. Prepare ahead and reheat.

Beef Stroganoff

Tender beef strips in creamy mushroom sauce—always impresses.

Serve over: Egg noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice

Chicken Kiev

Breaded chicken stuffed with herbed butter. Dramatic when cut—butter flows out.

Drinks

Vodka (Traditional)

If serving:

• Serve ice cold (keep bottle in freezer)
• Use small glasses
• Offer plenty of zakuski—never drink without eating
• Toast before each round ("Na zdorovye!")

Non-Alcoholic

• Kvass — Fermented bread drink
• Kompot — Fruit punch from dried or fresh fruits
• Mors — Berry drink

Desserts

Medovik (Honey Cake)

Thin layers of honey cake with sour cream frosting. Rich and traditional.

Napoleon Cake

Layers of puff pastry with custard cream—Russian mille-feuille.

Blini with Sweet Toppings

Thin pancakes with sweetened farmer's cheese, preserves, honey, or berries.

Pirozhki with Fruit

Sweet buns filled with apple, cherry, or other fruit.

Setting the Table

Atmosphere essentials:

• Tablecloth (even simple white elevates the meal)
• Candles
• Fresh flowers
• Cloth napkins

Music: Search "Russian dinner party music" or "Eastern European folk" on Spotify.

Timeline

2-3 days before:

• Make salads (Olivier, vinegret)
• Prepare stuffed cabbage

Day before:

• Slice and arrange meats (cover, refrigerate)
• Make dessert
• Set the table

Day of:

• Bring salads to room temperature
• Cook main course
• Arrange zakuski 1 hour before guests

Shopping List for Kalinka

Zakuski:

• Dill pickles and pickled tomatoes
• Sliced kolbasa (ask for variety pack)
• Dark rye bread
• Sour cream
• Brynza cheese

Main course:

• Frozen pelmeni or vareniki
• Smetana

Drinks:

• Kvass
• Kompot or mors

Dessert:

• Medovik or Napoleon cake
• Pirozhki with fruit

Visit us: 📍 813 W Main St UNIT 112, Battle Ground, WA 98604 📞 (360) 666-6919 🕐 Open daily 10am–8pm

Tell our staff you're planning a dinner party—we'll help pick perfect items!