VILNIUS - In Your Pocket

Argentinean
El Gaucho Sano C-3, Pilies 10, tel. (+370) 5 210 77
73, www.atrium.lt. This dark downstairs restaurant is
prized by those in the know for its steaks, but there’s also
plenty of other Argentinean specialities on offer for those who
like to experiment, making El Gaucho Sano an ideal place to
head for diners bored of the usual offerings around town. This
time round we went for the sirloin steak, which was ample in
proportions, cooked to perfection and extremely good value
considering this is basically a hotel restaurant. QOpen 12:00
- 24:00. 60Lt. PJASW
Armenian
Ararat H-5, Kauno 3a, tel. (+370) 5 233 45 69, www.
araratas.lt. Nobody cooks meat better than the people
from the Caucasus and the people who cook it in this new
Armenian restaurant are no exception to the fact. The menu
of grilled meat dishes is impressive, not least because they
all taste magnificent and leave diners with the kind of postmeal
glowing sensation that only a handful of restaurants can
deliver. The service is good too, and the bill looks like a typo.
Excellent value for money indeed and well worth the slight
detour required to eat here. QOpen 10:00 - 22:00, Fri, Sat,
Sun 10:00 - 23:00. 18Lt. PTABSW
Asian
Tokyo China A-1, A. Vienuolio 4, tel. (+370) 620 241
16, www.cili.lt. You’ve got to hand it to these people, they’re
not stupid. Taking advantage of the current obsession with
sushi, Tokyo China has sprung up in the guise of an Asian
restaurant offering a range of Asian dishes that’s really just
a sushi joint underneath. If you can’t get to the party first,
vilnius.inyourpocket.com
restaurants
come in disguise. The food is good by the way, although
the friendly and attentive service is a wee bit over the top.
QOpen 11:00 - 23:00, Fri 11:00 - 24:00, Sat 12:00 - 24:00,
Sun 12:00 - 23:00. 25Lt. PJAVBS
Wok & Roll H-5, Šv. Stepono 19, tel. (+370) 642 444
40. Currently making waves among the undergroundesque
fashionistas of Vilnius, this slightly out of the way little hit is
a cross between a classic Asian fast food restaurant and a
DJ bar. The food, which also includes sandwiches and soup,
is passable if not exactly legendary and if you hit it on a
good night you’ll certainly enjoy the vibe. A good option for a
few beers among interesting people with the added bonus
of simple food on tap to stave off the hunger. Wok & Roll will
also be dishing out food for the duration of the summer from
the side of a van parked up in Žvėrynas by the (F-3) footbridge
that leads to Vingio Parkas. QOpen 12:00 - 23:00, Sat, Sun
15:00 - 23:00. 6VEBSW
Brazilian
Grill Brazil C-4, Vokiečių 2, tel. (+370) 5 212 43 61, www.
grillbrazil.lt. A marvellous restaurant specialising in churrasco
and espeto corrido cuisine, which for the uninitiated is
a Brazilian buffet extravaganza wherein diners help themselves
to endless portions of salad and other dishes whilst a procession
of waiters do the rounds armed with large skewers loaded
with grilled meat which is cut at the table and dropped onto the
plate. Unquestionably one of the best restaurants in the country,
there’s also an accompanying set menu for the less adventurous.
Their Old Town venture is geared slightly more towards
the tourist market, whereas their other place on the top floor
of Panorama is a much more local affair. Both are excellent and
highly recommended. Q Open Wed, Thu, Fri 18:00 - 23:00, Sat,
Sun 13:00 - 23:00. Closed Mon, Tue. 26Lt. PJA
August - November 2012
27