On tonight’s Travel Man episode, Richard Ayoade takes his machine-gun wit and ever-upright demeanour to St Petersburg, where he’s joined by affable UK comedian and presenter Rob Beckett.
The pair take a unique tour of the unique Russian city, complete with tank taxis, novelty ice skating and Soviet-themed hipster cafes. They also spend a considerable amount of time sitting near each other in various St Petersburg eateries, where classic Russian dishes throw their safe British taste buds for more than one loop.
The complexities of being a caviar virgin
Does anyone else find it hard to believe Ayoade’s never tried caviar? Source: SBS
“I could have done without that”
Ayoade, all wrapped up in (herring in) a fur coat. Source: SBS
For many, the herring half of the dish is daunting enough, as it’s a pungent fish with a taste that insists on lingering in the palate for much longer than is desirable. But it’s the mysterious "fur coat" aspect of the meal that raises Richard’s over-expressive eyebrows.
What is this pale hair-like substance that envelops the featured fish? Some kind of rare, shredded cabbage? Slim strands of cheese? Noodles of death? You’ll have to tune in to find out.
Not just lard, but a platter of lard
A lard wince is an especially particular wince. Source: SBS
As you may deduce from the above grab of Beckett’s first foray into lard territory, he takes to the bite with the trepidation of a toddler during its first swimming lesson.
Ayoade, on the other hand, rises above the fear and dives in head first. Could a thick slice of waxy lard be the food that broadens his gastronomic horizons forevermore?
Watch the St Petersburg episode of Travel Man at SBS On Demand:
