Deck the halls, Device the Café, it’s Christmas time in the city. This season is one of the biggest and brightest for many, not just for Frosty, Rudolph and the illustrious Snegurochka, but for the people you celebrate it with. This past 8 December was a great example of just how Holly Jolly Christmas truly is as friends new and old gathered to roast a few chestnuts at the last TUCC event for 2011.

The snow has yet to fall. But that hasn’t put a damper on the fine mood we find ourselves in as we make our way out into the boonies of Kyiv this evening. What are the boonies, you ask? The sticks, the middle of nowhere – a “place” Saskatchewan has lots of. It takes a while tonight as the traffic is heavy, and we’re getting antsy. No matter, it simply escalates the anticipation of what I’ve been told is going to be an incredible evening.

A Round of Christmas
When we do finally arrive, the place is already buzzing. It seems we weren’t the only ones to have trouble with transport this evening – everyone else has also only just showed up. We are, however, the last and so after a round of kisses and hugs and “have you met”, we toast to a wonderful evening with a glass of Pinot Grigio.
Talking about this and that, it isn’t long before the ever-present TUCC bell brings us to attention and sends us to our seats. There, we find Christmas crackers filled with all sorts of goodies. Made especially for the evening by the lovely Sveta and Natasha, these are an integral part of the holiday for those in the UK and many Commonwealth countries. Pulling back the paper, I pull out a fortune for luck (I can’t tell you what it says lest I have 100 bad hair days – you know, ‘bad’ luck), holiday noise-makers, a little plastic gem and a stuffed penguin, which soon finds itself hugging my wine glass for dear life. It is all we could have wanted and more – this evening is already off to a five-star start.
With the paper cleared and the toys off to the side, we are introduced to two girls dressed in vinky and vyshyvanky (wreaths and embroidered Ukrainian blouses), who have been brought to entertain the 30 strong we are this evening. They start off with a rendition of We Wish You A Merry Christmas and move on to Jingle Bells. There are a couple of people at our table eager to join in, and the evening begins to take shape. What that shape is just yet I can’t tell. All I know is that the muscles that pull my lips into that thing called a smile are already sore.

A Song and a Shell
With the girls gone, out comes the food. First up there is gently seared tuna that has been marinated in the chef’s own special sauce. Florets of broccoli and cauliflower accompany, as does a little bouquet of bean sprouts, and “oh by gosh by golly” it’s good. It’s so good I clean the plate, forgetting completely there are four more courses to go.
Ironically enough, with the plates gone, the girls come back. It’s a funny little performance that reminds me a little of vaudeville. Working without the giant canes to pull the different acts on and off stage tonight, Ukrainian Christmas carols (kolyadky) are up next.
Treated to a beautiful albeit not long enough Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells), the second course arrives. Sat in a shell which then sits atop a rather interesting sandstone sort of structure, its name is very simple and very plain: scallops in mini ratatouille. Delicately taking my fork to the small structure, I lift a scallop to my mouth. Soft and tender, juicy and delicious, the white sauce that bathes the miniature seafood ragout is heavenly, and I can’t find anything simple or plain about this dish at all.
Having cleared my dish once again, I look to my right where there sits another, as of yet untouched. Smoking is not allowed in the dining area and we have a couple of smokers here tonight. They return just in time to find the shell and its contents in tact. I return my attention to the chatter going on at the helm.

Tradition Turned Tasty
In addition to the incredible Christmas crackers, TUCC, along with Device Café, have put together a few presents for those, well, present. The men get something I know my darling will be able to use – an agreeable bottle of red wine! While the ladies are treated to homemade chocolates by the restaurant! They are our first gifts this year, and neither of them will last very long.
My nose alerts my brain the third course is on its way, but it’s too late – my salivary glands are already hard at work. Every year TUCC has been in operation, they have returned to a restaurant they enjoyed at some point during the year to hand over the turkey-dinner-reigns to the chef. Given a list of the traditional elements, he or she is then given carte blanche to go ahead and create. This year, chef Viktor Tymchyshyn has outdone himself.
Upon a rectangular plate with the Device Café insignia etched at the top, there lays a tender piece of white turkey breast (with the skin attached – very tasty), crème brulee with just the right amount of torch and a baked chestnut. Peppered with a drizzle of cranberry sauce, it is quite possibly one of the most elaborate turkey dinners I have ever had. I tuck in, and do the best I can. In the end, however, the bird defeats me, and not unlike the real thing, there is just too much.

Surprises of all Sorts
There is more visiting and talking about holiday plans. There are even a few season-ed jokes from the chairman, which are duly interrupted by a madman on the piano. Just as that feeling of ‘full’ begins to subside, the roast beef appears. The girl to my left turns and says, “But we’ve already had dessert!” Meant to cleanse the palate, the berry sorbet was a sweet affirmation that delicious food is not found just in the city centre. If you’re willing to take the trip out to the, say it with me now, boonies (well done), you’ll have just as unforgettable an experience.
Cut and placed on plates right in front of us, is a massive piece of roast beef done to pink perfection. Escorting the main event are potatoes au gratin and deep-fried – yes, that’s right – deep-fried Brussels sprouts (now there’s a method many-a-mom has never tried). My fork and I have been more than forth-coming up to this point and so rather than dig in, I nibble. The beef, seasoned on the outside and succulent on the inside, could not have been better, and I think it a shame to leave as much as I do. The potatoes are just as creamy and delicious as, maybe even better than, those of my Aunt Bertha. And the sprouts, well, two out of three. They’re just too deep-fried for me. I will give snaps, however, for the effort. They certainly are different.

Bathing in Brandy
Trying to survive until we get to the fifth and final course, my table has had enough liquid courage (helped along by those earlier Christmas gifts) to overcome their initial shyness and break out into a proper round of My Way. It’ not bad, but as I listen I bite my lip and wonder if the girls from earlier in the night have well and truly gone home.
Left to wonder no longer, dessert arrives. It is a variation on a theme, Christmas pudding, with all the fancy accoutrements: brandy, fire, and brandy butter. Full of dried fruit with a rich aroma, I can’t help but have a few spoonfuls; there is no one where we are going this holiday season to make this old favourite, and I need a fix.
With just a few last thank yous to pass around, including a bouquet of flowers to Natasha – the TUCC administrator, Chef Tymchyshyn receives an award for TUCC Best Chef of the Year. It is a title he will have to share, however, as the Hyatt outdid themselves when TUCC came to call this autumn, and Sebastian Kellerhoff, who also happens to be in attendance, is given the same fine accolade.
It has been an incredible evening sprinkled with Christmas cheer and seasoned with a good and lively crowd. There are many more to look forward to come the next year. Will you be a part of the magic? 

Edible Inventory:
Tuna in Marinade
***
Scallops in Mini Ratatouille
***
Special Recipe Christmas Turkey
***
Roast Beef baked in Phyllo Pastry
***
Christmas Pudding
***
Pinot Grigio (France)
Siglo Grianza (Spain)
Armagnac Saint-Vivant

Device Café (Peremohy 136)
tel: 277-1555, 12.00 until the last guest

Lana Nicole by Whats on Kiev

Concord is located on the last floor of Kiev-Donbass building right at Tolstoho square

KyivPost’s Best of Kyiv: Concord

One of the oldest upper-class restaurants in Kyiv, Concord received Best of Kyiv nods three times before – as Best Overall Restaurant in 2003, Best European Restaurant in 2004 and Best High-End Restaurant in 2008. This year, however, its victory is even more remarkable since Best of Kyiv 2009 Awards had only a single restaurant category, and Concord still won, beating nine other worthy contenders.

Concord is located in the penthouse of the Kiev-Donbass business center, right in the heart of downtown Kyiv. It belongs to the Carte Blanche chain, which also includes Marokana, Decadence House, Kureni, Lale and La Casa Del Habano.

Catering to Kyiv restaurant patrons for eight years now, it has gained a steady reputation for its pleasant service, relaxing atmosphere spiced up with quality lounge music and, of course, food. Concord defines itself as “a restaurant of creative cuisine” blending French haute cuisine with oriental elements and latest culinary techniques. The restaurant’s chef keeps inventing new dishes and coming up with surprising new combinations, which helps to preserve Concord’s reputation as the fusion cuisine trendsetter of the capital.

Overall the menu is really vast, featuring a selection of sushi, a separate carpaccio section, caviar and seafood, four top popular kinds of steaks and pastas as well as various salads, appetizers, meat and fish dishes. And of course, a professional sommelier is always at hand, ready to pick a perfect wine from the restaurant’s extensive wine chart to match your chosen dish.

But the creative side of Concord is obvious not only on the menu. Its design is also remarkable. The classical sofas, easy chairs and table covered in immaculate white cloth, contrast with eclectic ethnic-themed decor elements – photographs of Indians, tribal masks and Persian rugs. Plenty of green plants further liven up the spacious airy restaurant. Finally, the special attraction of Concord is the magnificent view of central Kyiv opening from its terrace. You can hardly think of a better option for a romantic candle-lit dinner, a business meeting or family celebration.

Concord

Kiev-Donbass Business Center, 8th floor

42/4 Pushkinska Street

Kyiv, 01004, Ukraine

+38 (044) 234-7788

Staying in Kiev hotels

Kiev hotels fluctuate in top quality and prices. Everyday rates for some of them start from about USD50 for each night, but usually hotels within this price group are positioned outside the house Kiev downtown and have pretty Soviet-like design. The typical resort rooms price about USD100 for each night and give key facilities that you might need to have even though in Kiev – place with a rest room and hot water, telephone line, satellite or cable Television. More costly accommodations can provide higher velocity Net and other nice facilities like resort gym or wonderful swimming pool. Cost for some Kiev motels includes breakfasts that may possibly be pretty convenient way to start off your day. The day-to-day rates for some of the most pricey Kiev hotels are about USD500 for each evening.

Gain of remaining in a Kiev hotel is the capability to examine-out any day you wish or extend your keep for as lengthy as you want. Also, every single-day cleaning, room provider, some in-home dining establishments, caf&eacutes, gyms, swimming pools can be a nice issue to have about. Down sides consist of relatively substantial price tag for a modest room you are finding, and lower privacy.

Booking Kiev apartments

Renting an apartment in Kiev is turning out to be ever more well-known amid international company to Kiev. Kiev flats provide a lot of area one-bedroom, two-bedroom or even a few-bedroom apartments, outstanding western-normal renovation, selection of amenities. All of Kiev apartments have phone lines, cable Tv, fridge, oven, kitchen area with anything you may require to steer clear of expensive Kiev dining establishments. Numerous flats have satellite Tv with quite a few worldwide channels, air-conditioning, CD-gamers, DVD-people. Some apartments have higher-pace Web or Jacuzzi.

Prices for Kiev flats vary based on the amenities and the actual area of any particular apartment. In particular, flats in the quite center of Kiev in the vicinity of Khreshatik St. and Independence Sq. are much a lot more pricey than people further from Khreshatik or in other locations of Kiev. Accordingly, premiums for the flats differ significantly dependent on these elements. The least expensive a single-space flats outside the house Kiev center can be offered at the premiums beginning around USD30 for each night time, the most high-priced luxurious flats can value up to USD300 per evening. The regular charges are all around USD60 for a studio, USD80-100 for a one particular-bed room apartment, USD120-130 for a two-bedroom apartment. The higher than charges have a tendency to modify and might be different at the time you are reading through this article.

There are no two Kiev apartments alike. It is not a hotel in which you book one of the rooms which are all virtually the same. All of Kiev apartments are unique. Although, it is certainly an asset of flats, it has also some downsides. In certain, it may be challenging if not impossible at all to adjust the dates of your stay. For example, if you want to lengthen your keep in the apartment for a handful of days far more, the apartment might currently be booked by a person else. On the other hand, if you want to leave the apartment before, you will be required to cover for the whole period of your booking anyway, since the apartment was kept for you, and all other customers interested in the same dates were refused. The over negatives can be effortlessly eliminated by much more careful and thorough organizing of the specific dates of stay.

The same uniqueness of the flats triggers an additional inconvenience. Landlords of good flats are reluctant to commit to bookings shorter than five nights. If a person agrees to e-book an apartment for a shorter period, it usually signifies that they will accommodate you in any apartment obtainable at the date of your arrival. A single-3 evening stays are not beautiful for apartment landlords and organizations at all, so they will hardly be capable to e-book anything certain. Exception is the predicament when there is a handful of day opening between other bookings that suits the dates you are interested in. Four-night time stays are someplace on the edge. The agencies may possibly e-book a certain apartment, but there is constantly a chance that its landlord will permit the company down and do not preserve the apartment for this sort of a short time period.

In purchase to e-book a Kiev apartment, you will be necessary to give a booking deposit in the quantity equal to a one-night time stay or a larger volume based on each and every certain apartment and the duration of your stay.

Availability of distinct apartments is changing extremely rapidly, and some companies have availability calendar with bookings a handful of months in advance. So, it is constantly great notion to e-book an apartment effectively in advance, at least 3 or four weeks just before your trip.

These are basically the significant points to keep in brain when selecting among a keep in Kiev apartments or Kiev motels. No matter of what sort of accommodation you decide on, you will appreciate your remain in this stunning European metropolis with so a lot of points to supply to its website visitors.

Article source: http://jia-ting.com

Ukraine has lots of natural attractions as well.  Having two seas: Black and Azov, Carpathian and Crimea mountains, diverse climate zones, and lots of forests Ukraine definitely brings a lot for a green tourism.

View Instytutska 24 Kiev Apartment in a larger map

View Volodymyrska 51 Kiev Apartment in a larger map

Location and the nearest places of interest:
Our office – 500 meters
Main Kreshatik Street – 80 meters Main post-office – 150 meters
Nearest Bank/ATM – 30 meters
Nearest grocery store –200 meters
Nearest bar/pub – 100 meters
Nearest metro station – 150 meters (“Kreshatik”)
Nearest night club (“Arena City”) – 300 meters

Walking distance from the night clubs “Pati-pa” , “Arena City” , “Budda-Bar”
Whole bunch of cafes and restaurants around.

View Prorizna 5 Kiev apartment for rent in a larger map