The Blini I grew up eating — memory as a review

I grew up eating Blini and have strong opinions shaped by memory. The version here triggered that recognition in the first bite — the savoury and satisfying was right, sour cream smetana was handled the way it should be.

Russian New Year table is the most important annual food event, laden with Olivier salad, herring under fur coat, and other Soviet-era staples. Growing up it was always a family New Year table, which shaped my reference point entirely. black tea from a samovar alongside it is the only way it makes sense to me. It's hard to be objective about food you have emotional history with, but objectively: this is very good.