On a hot summer day, there are few greater pleasures than a cool creamy bowl of pink Lithuanian beet borscht. But during the three other seasons, our favorite Lithuanian refresher is cepelinai. This hulking zeppelin-shaped potato dumpling, with its meaty filling, bacon topping and sour cream accompaniment, may have been permanently banned from heart-healthy venues, but as an occasional dumpling splurge (followed by a week or so of fasting), we just love these Baltic bundles. You can find these beef- and pork- (and sometimes veal-) filled cue balls in most Lithuanian restaurants, but our faves come from Neringa Restaurant in Marquette Park, Healthy Food Restaurant in Bridgeport and Mabenka and Sagils in Burbank. For more Lithuanian lore, check out the Chicago Cultural Center’s Lithuanian festival, which starts Wednesday with Lithuanian State Opera stars, ethnic chow and more. Call 312-346-3278.
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Cepelinai
Three for $4.50
Neringa
2632 W. 71st St.
773-476-9026
Thank you in Lithuanian: aciu (achoo)
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Send inquiries to [email protected]