After a late lunch at a winery in a village not far from the capital I was still full by dinner time. I had sparkling wine in the fridge so it was a perfect thing to accompany some roe. The wine is made “méthode traditionelle”.
Whilst browsing the supermarket I spotted the caviar fridges. The goods were under lock and key. Had to accost an employee so they could open the fridge of course. They left my jar at the check-out and I paid when I was done shopping. You can’t walk round with caviar in your hand before paying.
Bester is a hybrid fish, between sterlet (a species of sturgeon) and beluga. Interestingly, the high-tech sturgeon farm where fish are bred and caviar is produced is in a “country that doesn’t exist”. Tiraspol is the second largest city in Moldova but it is not officially recognised. This region is called Transnistria. I want to go there one day. Travellers have reported border control problems due to political tensions.
The simplest dinner there is.
Another dinner:
We love beetroots and borschts are up our alley. This Moldovan-style borscht has little ribs. Ukrainians claim garlic rolls as their own, but Moldovans make it theirs anyway.
Moldovan version of polenta. The dent is for pouring butter over.
I find the frequent and liberal use of fresh dill and raw garlic rather surprising. Here oil is added as a dip. Fried Speck, scrambled eggs, sour cream and grated brined cheese are on the plate. Save for the Speck, the other 3 things always go together.
Ancient and polluting old buses still run some routes. Moldova is the poorest country in Europe with the lowest “human developement index” score so these old buses are not going away just yet. They want so much to join the EU. We pay through the nose in taxes, also that money goes to poor(er) member states. If I could I would get rid of the EU and daylight saving time! First thing!
An enormous cloud of smoke whenever these buses pass by.
Cheers. 
