Laika Lounge Brings Russian Food to Pioneer Square

Earlier this month, the owners of Trabant Coffee quietly launched Russian eatery-slash-cocktail bar Laika Lounge in their Pioneer Square location. The coffee shop and restaurant are co-branded, with one big change to the space. It's now 21+.

Classically trained Swiss chef Joseph Bollag (an alum of How To Cook a Wolf and LA's Fig and Olive) heads the kitchen. The menu freshens up Russian classics, including latkes seasoned with garam masala and vegetarian borscht.

Laika's drink list includes aptly named cocktails: The Proletariat (whiskey, Midnight in Moscow syrup, ginger beer,) the Trotsky (rye whiskey, dry vermouth, Midnight in Moscow syrup, pineapple juice,) and the Bay of Pigs, Laika's take on a classic mint mojito.

Wonder what the vodka-based Lenin tastes like? (a liquid creamsicle, apparently.) Laika Lounge is throwing a grand opening party on Saturday.

Trabant is open from 7 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; Laika starts up its cocktail and dinner service at 5:00 p.m. from Tuesday through Saturday nights.

· Laika Lounge [Official Site]
· Laika Lounge [Facebook]