Restaurant recipes: Rockin’ borscht from Paper or Plastik Cafe

This week’s Culinary SOS request comes from Katya Culberg in Los Angeles:

”In the heat of August, I stopped for lunch at Paper or Plastik Cafe. I had the most amazing cold borscht. It was light and refreshing and full-flavored and, like my bubby’s, only distilled down to the essence of borscht. Is there any chance you could get Paper or Plastik to share the recipe?”

A quick glance at that signature shade of red, and this might look like any run-of-the-mill borscht. But one bite and you’re hit with a medley of flavors: a subtle hint of spice, the smoky hint of applewood-smoked bacon and the slight tang of quick-pickled beets. Light, yet rich and wonderfully satisfying, Paper or Plastik’s borscht rocks.

Thanks, Katya! Here’s the recipe for this great borscht.

And check out more Culinary SOS recipes. If you have a favorite restaurant recipe you’d like to request, email me. I’ll do my best to track it down.

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