Few dishes carry as much history on a single plate as Olivier salad. What began as a closely guarded secret in a Moscow restaurant kitchen became the dish that defines celebration across Russia and Ukraine. At Melodia, we honor that history with our own signature version, built around crawfish tails and salmon roe. A Recipe Born in Secrecy Olivier salad takes its name from Lucien Olivier, a chef who ran one of Moscow's most fashionable restaurants in the 1860s. His original recipe was a closely guarded secret, reportedly built around grouse, veal tongue, caviar, and a delicate homemade mayonnaise. Olivier never wrote the recipe down, and after his death, cooks across Russia spent decades trying to recreate it from memory and rumor, each adding their own touch along the way. From Imperial Kitchens to Every Table Over time, the dish transformed. Expensive ingredients gave way to potatoes, carrots, peas, and pickles, as the salad moved from aristocratic kitchens into homes across the region. By the twentieth century, Olivier salad had become inseparable from celebration, especially New Year's Eve, when it appears on nearly every table from Moscow to Kyiv. Our Version at Melodia At Melodia, our chef brings the dish back toward its original spirit of indulgence. Our Olivier is served in a delicate cucumber wrap, topped with salmon roe, crawfish tails, a touch of oyster sauce, fresh herbs. It is creamy and comforting at its core, with a seafood twist that makes it distinctly our own. Taste a Piece of History Olivier salad is more than a side dish. It is a taste of over 150 years of history, reimagined with a modern, coastal touch. Come try it at Melodia in West Hollywood, and taste why this dish has stayed on tables for so long.

Syrniki are one of the most beloved dishes across Russia and Ukraine, and at Melodia we make ours the traditional way, with farmer's cheese, a light hand with flour, and a golden pan-fried crust. What Makes Syrniki Special Syrniki are soft, slightly sweet cheese pancakes made from tvorog, a fresh farmer's cheese similar to a firm ricotta. Unlike American pancakes, syrniki get their texture from the cheese itself, giving them a dense, tender bite instead of a fluffy one. They are pan fried until the outside turns golden and slightly crisp, while the inside stays soft and warm. A Dish With Deep Roots Syrniki have been a staple of home cooking in Russia and Ukraine for generations, often enjoyed with tea any time of day. Every family has its own version, some sweeter, some with raisins or vanilla folded into the batter. At Melodia, we keep the recipe close to how it has always been made, letting the quality of the cheese speak for itself. How We Serve Ours Our syrniki are served warm, with a side of sour cream and your choice of honey or fruit preserves. It is a simple dish, but done right, it becomes one of the most requested items on our menu, especially among guests who grew up eating it at home. Taste Syrniki at Melodia Whether you are craving a taste of home or trying this dish for the first time, our syrniki are made fresh to order. Join us at Melodia in West Hollywood and taste a piece of Russian and Ukrainian tradition on your plate.

Ask any regular at Melodia what they order first, and there's a good chance it's the dumplings. Pelmeni and varenyky are two of the most popular dishes on our menu, and at our Russian and Ukrainian restaurant in West Hollywood, we make both by hand, every day. What's the Difference? Pelmeni are small, boiled dumplings filled with seasoned meat, usually served with butter, sour cream, or a light broth. Varenyky come from Ukraine and tend to be a bit bigger, often stuffed with potato, farmer's cheese, or vegetables depending on the season. Different countries, similar idea: dough, filling, and a lot of practice getting the ratio right. Made Fresh, Not Frozen We don't use pre-made dumplings. Our kitchen shapes each one by hand daily, the way you'd expect from a home kitchen in Russia or Ukraine, just scaled up enough to keep a full dining room fed on a Friday night. How Most Guests Order A lot of tables start with a mixed plate, a few pelmeni, a few varenyky, so you can try both before deciding which one you like more. Pairs well with a glass of wine or a drink from our full bar. Come Try Them Melodia Restaurant is open Tuesday–Sunday, 12pm–10pm, at 7300 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood. Make a reservation or order online. The dumplings are worth planning around.

If there's one dish that defines Eastern European cuisine, it's borscht — and at Melodia Restaurant in West Hollywood, we take it seriously. What Makes Borscht Special Borscht is a beet soup with roots in Ukrainian and Russian home cooking, built on slow-simmered beets, root vegetables, and tender beef. The result is a soup that's earthy, slightly sweet, and deeply comforting — usually finished with a spoonful of sour cream and fresh dill. How We Make Ours At Melodia, borscht isn't rushed. Our kitchen simmers the broth for hours to develop real depth of flavor, using fresh beets and vegetables rather than shortcuts. Every bowl is made the way it would be in a traditional Eastern European home kitchen — just with a bit more polish on the plate. Why It's a Must-Try Borscht is the dish our regulars order again and again, and it's often the first thing we recommend to guests trying Russian and Ukrainian food for the first time. It pairs perfectly with warm garlic pampushky, and if you're at the bar, a chilled shot of vodka alongside it is a classic combination. Try It for Yourself Melodia Restaurant is open Tuesday–Sunday, 12pm–10pm, at 7300 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood. Reserve a table or order online, and start with a bowl of our borscht — we think it'll become your favorite too. Homemade borscht with sour cream, dill oil, and smoked meat at Melodia Restaurant