Russian theater of early XX century inspired bartenders for the new cocktails

Russia is well-known for its long, cold, grumpy winter. But in Saint-Petersburg there is a special place “Blok” Restaurant. Prominent for its hospitality, it welcomes guests with good food, warm atmosphere and finest seasonal cocktail menus. This time the source of inspiration for the top-meat restaurant of the city is in the Russian theater life of early XXth century. Blok restaurant is well-known for its gorgeous cocktail service, recognizable images and beautiful concepts, closely connected to Belle Epoch and Art-Nouveau. So let’s enjoy a charming taste of the past and dive into the theatrical life of Imperial Russia.

Blok restaurant and Russian theater of early XXth century

The concept of the fall-winter cocktail menu presented at Blok this season is based on theater life of the city during 1900’s. These are four dessert cocktails – balanced and strong, sweet and spicy.

Editor-in-Chief of DCW Magazine Margo Bor tested the new cocktail card and gave her comments.

Komissarjevskaya

Tequila based dessert digestive cocktail with herbal hints.

Composition: Tequila, Amaro Montenegro, Martini Rosso

Great Russian actress Vera Komissarjevskaya was known for her undeniable authority in theatre world of early XXth century.

Her play, full of revolt and search for new humanitarian ideals, reflected a mood and tendency of pre-revolutionary years in Russia. Her characters were full of tragedy, lost and suppressed by bourgeoisie society. She encouraged to fight against everything that cripples a soul and prevents one to be happy.

“I totally belong to arts… with all my thoughts, and I do not ever betray this feeling nor for sake of anybody nor for anything – but only if I totally dismay me myself.”

Striving to implement her ideas into the real life, Komissarjevskaya dreamed to open her own theatre with the most avant-garde repertoire. In 1904 her dream came true and she opened her own theater in Saint-Petersburg, the Imperial capital of Russia for that moment.

The cocktail, inspired by life and destiny of the great actress, is highly bright and saturated, with a bitter hint, but still smooth. It is a good idea to go straight to a theater right after it. Thanks God, there are pretty much of them in Saint-Petersburg. But still I would recommend to visit  “Komissajevskaya”.

M.B.

Stanislavskiy

Tequila and Sherry based sweet dessert digestive cocktail. Appropriate to combine with meat dishes.

Composition: Tequila, Sherry, Benedectine Liquor, Angostura Bitter.

Konstantin Stanislavskiy (1863-1938) – the greatest reformer of modern theater. He created the world-known actor system, which is used in Russia and around the globe even after 100 years.

“We hate theatrical in theater, but love staged on stage. This is a big difference”.

From the very beginning of his career Stanislavskiy saw an artist as a herald of fine civil and ethical ideas. This brought him to the concept of Ultimate Goal – the main idea, that leads an artist through his art. Ultimate Goal concept is strongly connected with notion of cross-cutting action – the main action theme.

Cocktail is about the same. Strictly balanced, it gives a good chance for bartender to find new ways of self-expression. Garnished with walnut, it opens new hints of sherry and bitter. A perfect drink for rainy Petersburgian evenings.

M.B.

Diaghilev

Classical hot cocktail with buckthorn based at Bourbon. Served with honeycombs.

Composition: Whiskey, Amaretto Disaronno Liquor, buckthorn punch, Angostura Bitter.

Sergei Diaghilev – a talented Russian entrepreneur, was one of the first to combine his down-to-earth business with fine arts of opera and ballet. On the edge of XIX-XX century he became the first one who promoted Russian national culture around the world. He was art critic and manager of Russian theater tours to Europe. Diaghilev considered this business as a cultural mission and the main goal of his life. And he was successful.

“We wanted to create such type of art, that could express all complexity of life, all feelings and passions above the mind and words. Spontaneously, clearly, undeniably.

Diaghilev, 1910

Russian Seasons in Paris and London gained overwhelming success. The best opera singers – Chaliapin and Smirnov, the best ballet dancers – Pavlova and Nijinsky took part in them. It was anthology of Russian opera classics and new Russian ballet.

Cocktail “Diaghilev” has the same idea. Very national due to buckthorn. Very complicated due to honeycomb melting in hot alcohol. Very mystical as Russian soul and very thorough due to whiskey basement.

M.B.

Meyerhold

Hot herbal cocktail in Old Russian style based on Jägermeister.

Composition: Jägermeisterr Liquor, cone jam, rosebay willowherb.

“Skill is when “what” and “how” come together.”

V. Meyerhold

Vsevolod Meyerhold – a prominent Russian stage director, one of the first avant-garde film directors of Soviet Union. He experimented with decorations, actor’s techniques, worked out his own approaches and studied ancient theater traditions. He was one of those among local bohema who stayed in Russia even after Great October Revolution. There he prolonged his studies of theater theory, and was one of the major theater reformators and heralds of new approach.

This cocktail is my favorite in the new card. Moderate and discreet, warm, but not burning, with sweet cone jam. Great to have it while talking about Russian theater and cinema history.

M.B.

Fall-Winter cocktail card by Blok is a nice surprise. I have a great pleasure to follow the professional approach of local bartenders for the last few years. It is always interesting, where they go for the next time. Anyway every season it is well-done mix of historical context and local ingredients. Come and taste this new mixology set. Truly Russian, a bit avant-garde and surely delicious.

In the article we use historical pics and pics which restaurant Block kindly send us.