Ingredient appreciation — what makes Levengi special

What sets Levengi apart is the handling of quince. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the fragrant and saffron-gilded result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

tea drinking is a ritual — black tea served in armudu pear-shaped glasses accompanies every social encounter. The a traditional Azerbaijani home dinner atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had Xirdalan beer as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Levengi is the place to start.