November 11, 2023
We had a burst of fun visits to Polish restaurant Borsch, Vodka and Tears back in 2006-2007, our first year living in Melbourne, and it hasn't appeared on the blog since! This month we returned for dinner with my mum and her sister Carol, since it was an easy walk to the Astor. (We were there to see the 40th anniversary remaster of Stop Making Sense.)
A little, but not a lot, has changed at BV&T and why would it when they've carved out such a charming niche? The setting is cosy and a little folksy - I love their colourful, mismatched crockery. The menu runs to a dozen pages of alcohol, mostly vodka, with four pages of food tucked at the back (dietary requirements well marked). I figured out how we could best taste small portions of many things and everyone relished the sprawling spread.
The vegetarian Springtime Zakuski ($36) was our foundation: this platter served small samples of many roasted, marinated and pickled vegetables, croquettes and vegan meatballs, teeny blinis, plus a basket of breads, bagel and beetroot butter on the side. From there we added in a plate of Placki Potato Blintzes ($16, with sour cream and sauerkraut) and a dish of porcini & sauerkraut pierogi ($27.50). It was a feast of flavours, and we didn't really mind that we were out of time and stomach room for choc tops at the cinema.
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You can read about our one, two, three visits to BVT back in 2006-2007. Between then and now, it's generated positive reviews on blogs PIGGING OUT AROUND THE WORLD, Ichigo Shortcake, The Dodgy End, Sweet & Sour Fork, Eat Play Love Travel, and DANG IT WE LOVE FOOD.
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Borsch, Vodka & Tears
173 Chapel St, Windsor
9530 2694
Accessibility: There is one step up on entry and a narrow corridor through the restaurant. Tables are low, chairs have backs, and they're densely packed throughout the restaurant. It tends to be dimly lit and noisy. We didn't visit the toilets.
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