46th Annual International Taste of Columbus Presents: Cafe Elena!
As we are counting the days until the 46th International Taste of Columbus, we have been visiting refugee- and immigrant-owned restaurants that bring the spirit from different parts of the world. This year’s event theme is “Dumplings of the World” and we share authentic recipes and interesting facts about dumplings from four continents: Asia, Africa, Europe and South America!
Located at 2054 Crown Plaza Dr, Columbus, OH, Cafe Elena offers not only traditional Russian specialties but a variety of meals from around the world. Its “International Fusion Breakfast” offerings are inspired by the British, Dutch, Mexican, Mediterranean, and American cuisines.
In July, we met with Cafe Elena’s owners—Elena Birukow and her daughter Svetlana (Lana) Moynihan—to learn more about pelmeni, the famous Russian dumplings. It turned out Elena and Lana make pelmeni following an old family recipe, which has been kept in the family for several generations. Watch the video below to hear their story and see them in action!
How are Pelmeni Made?
Pelmeni are small round dumplings stuffed with meat and vegetables. Considered Russian comfort food, pelmeni are usually served with sour cream or butter. The traditional way to make pelmeni is by hand, and this is how Elena makes them at her restaurant. Essentially, these dumplings are thinly rolled pasta rounds filled with a savory ground meat mixture, then formed into dumplings.
Why Cafe Elena?
Dining at Cafe Elena is like having a fresh, warm, home-cooked breakfast in your grandmother’s kitchen. Elena began baking in Moscow, Russia for family and friends— experimenting with recipes, ingredients, spices, and presentation for 35 years! The menu also offers plenty of gluten-free and vegan-friendly meals.
Apart from the pelmeni, an in-house favorite is the “Russian Grandma” Buckwheat porridge, which comes with two eggs any style, two crepes filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese, and two plain crepes with a side of fresh compote. This dish has been passed down through many generations. Now, Elena has the honor to share it with her children, grandchildren, and of course all of us! Another popular dish is the Russian Honey Cake – a dessert with golden, crusted flakes, and creamy, honey layers.
Lana says their greatest success is the community they serve. Feedback from satisfied guests, smiling children, and full bellies is what keeps Elena and Lana in the baking spirit. So, when you are looking for a wholesome, family-friendly breakfast, or celebrating a special occasion, dine with Cafe Elena! Visit them on Saturday mornings to enjoy live music and cozy comfort food. They also accept online orders for pickup and delivery!
We thank our dedicated volunteer Teryn Scott for working on this article and helping us spread the word about the 46th Annual International Taste of Columbus.
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The International Taste of Columbus is hosted each year to promote international understanding through intercultural experiences. It is a cultural and educational event that brings community members closer together and raises funds for US Together’s charitable causes.
The 46th annual International Taste of Columbus will be a virtual, live-streamed event at 5:30 pm ET on August 27! The theme of this year’s event is “Dumplings of the World,” and it will be live-cast on US Together’s Facebook Page.