Forshmak
Chișinău
Copyright: Aksenya/Shutterstock.comForshmak
Forshmak captures the nostalgic feel of old Chisinau while elevating straightforward dishes familiar to any Moldovan from a young age, and does so in a heavily stylised interior designed to evoke pleasant associations. If you're dining with a Russian speaker, ask them to solve the crossword puzzle on your table - the reward is a free serving of forshmak, the restaurant's namesake dish.
Dining
Moldovan cuisine is largely made up of hearty staples like meat, potatoes and grains. It shows trace of Romanian, Russian and Turkish influence, and significant variation is present even within the relatively compact country itself, with ethnic minorities (the Gagauz, Ukrainians and Bessarabian Bulgarians) having their own characteristic specialities. Mamaliga (a variation if polenta) is a ubiquitous Moldovan staple which often constitutes the base of a meal - have it with pork or beef, and wash it all down with fine wines from nearby wineries.