Ha. Assuming you count a fortnight as being within ‘a week or so’, I’ve just met the dead line for ‘proper photos’ that I promised when I tweeted from the Melnitza restaurant on the 22nd of August. Melnitza is situated on SaryArka, quite near to our apartment, and as we hadn’t tried it before, were already heading to a nearby shopping centre and I wanted to grab a shot of the Khan Shatyr entertainment centre.
The service was superb in the restaurant, the prices not too excessive considering its reputation, and I can honestly say they served the best tasting sashlique I’ve ever eaten. This is Kazakhstan, and given my meat and potato type meal preferences, I’ve eaten a fair few of the barbecued kebab like meals over here. The exterior of the building is surrounded by flowers and vegetables, giving a real dacha-like feel to the outside seating, the staff were very attentive and smiling, and their take on garlic bread (see photos below) were delicious.
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- Almost Completed Khan Shatyr In Astana, Kazakhstan
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- Outside Eating Area At Melnitza, SaryArka, Astana
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- Selection Of Breads At Melnitza
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- Close Up Of The Garlic Bread. Yum.
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- Anna Joining The Meal
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- Salad. Didn’t Try It Or Remember The Name. Sorry
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- Traditional Cossack (?) Style Uniform On Our Helpful Waiter
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- Ira’s Dish
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- A Different Style Outside Eating Area At Melnitza, SaryArka, Astana
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- Superb Sashlique
Oh, and my thanks to this post for reminding me of the name for the big glass yurt like structure up the road from us. I left a comment there in an attempt to correct some of the inaccuracies in the article, but it remains an interesting post.
September 6th, 2009 12:24 am
Sounds like a good place to eat, like the close ups of the food, I’ve tried that type of shot before but never come out well, will have to get some tips. !
September 6th, 2009 12:28 am
OK after that last post I realised this IS the same place we went to for Lara’s dads birthday, and food was great and plenty for the kids to see and do, rabbits, Aquarium, Slides etc. just a shame it was too cold to eat outside !
September 9th, 2009 12:59 am
I’d not get any photography tips from me if I were you. John over at http://CeltPhotographic.com and http://CeltStudio.com could definitely help more, and a little closer to home (for us) would be Walton, he doesn’t boast about it, but seems to know his stuff. Oh, in this case, flash off, macro focus enabled.
Too cold to eat outside? Did you not have a coat with you 😉 I’m assuming it wasn’t above 25 degrees anyway 🙂