Republic - New Shops - Cafe and Gallery in Riga 2011

Creative quarter – Miera Street - Republic

Written by JW Young at 15/08 2011, 08:02 StandbyNews


Miera Street Republic is a quarter in Riga which houses various projects by local artists – galleries, clubs, workshops, cafes, hair saloons and small shops selling works by local artists.

The Republic, which is located in buildings on Miera Street between Brivibas Street and Tallinas Street, calls itself a "creative quarter" and is the city’s newest art district.  click for map location

Most of the buildings located on cobblestone Miera Street were constructed between the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century. The quarter has a very artistic atmosphere to it, whilst at the same time is very peaceful. It is an attractive addition to the city, and has become popular with local and foreigners alike.

"The bottle recreation center "Butaljons" is a place where glass is reborn, as persons who bring in glass bottles can have them remade into proper glassware – glasses, dishes, bowls and other practical glassware items. On the other hand, café "Taka" adds tranquility to the area, offering customers vegetarian dishes, drinks, house apple wine, as well as organizes cultural events and concerts," said "Taka" spokeswoman Alise Ziemule.

"The cosy shop "ZE Store" sells a wide range of vintage clothing and items. Next door, the "DAD Cafe" ensures the return of customers who have eaten its famous lemon cake," Ziemule goes on to say. "The tea room "Illuseum" offers drinks in an atmosphere made for thinking, whilst the plant exchange room "Majas svetiba" allows people to exchange their plants, have their plants taken care of whilst they are away, or have their plants go through a special SPA treatment. The plant room also has a café, where people can sit and read in a relaxing atmosphere."

Food Poisoning in Riga Latvia - It's That Time of the Year Again - Summer Heat

Food Poisioning in Latvia - It happens every year

BEWARE

small Cafes, Big Restaurants - Guest Houses

Careful of cream & mayonnaise based salads, chicken wings, legs, etc, and ground meat maijas cutlets, stuffed peppers, etc - especially

RIGA, July 21 (LETA) - Today, 15 persons are convalescing at the Center for Infectious Diseases with suspected food poisoning, Jazeps Keiss, acting director of the Infectious Diseases Center, informed LETA.

Keiss explained that stricken persons had spent the weekend at a guest house in Riga District Kekava. They are all employees at the same firm and/or their family members. They were on a retreat on Sunday, July 19, and were contaminated either at the guest house or afterwards, as many say that they had brought home leftover meat/potato salad.

At the moment, specialists are still determining the exact cause of the food poisoning.

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Surprise - Restaurant Cafe on West Bank close to Hotel Maritim - PAPAGAILIS

Living on the West Bank (par daugava) Riga Latvia, for the past five years, I thought we had found all the cafes & restaurants in the area of Hotel Maritim Park. But to my SURPRISE, tonight my wife and I had a wonderful treat at the Parrot's Cafe or PAPAGAILIS KAFEJNICA in Latvian language.

The menu looked pretty much like a standard Latvian cafe with chicken fillet and all.

BUT, and its a very big but, is the quality of the food arriving at the table. Some of the tastiest food I have had in Latvia and for certain the best in the city limits of Riga!

Wonderful food, simply delicious cakes, quick service and reasonable prices - a real value for sure. Riga Rooster Rating "5"

A little hard (but not impossible) to find on a side street off Slokas & Normantu streets, it is definately worth the time looking for it.

Situated at Meza Street (iela) 4a directly across from the Riga Technical University building and sort of diaginally across the street from a large Russian Church which can't be missed with its blue colored dome on top.

See link for map location: 4a Meza iela

View Larger Map

By Public Transport, take Tram 4 or 5 to Nometņu Street stop (1 tram stop North of Hotel Maritim). Walk East one long block to Meza Street, turn righ and walk one block to the end of the street. The Cafe is the last door on the right. The church is straight ahead and the technical University is on the left side of the street.

It is also walking distance close to OK Hotel on Slokas iela and Hotel Maritim.

Telephone: +371-6-761-5288 (Latvian & Russian - no English on Phone)

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In Riga Latvia, avoid the following bars and clubs

According to this recent POST on another BLOG,

Original POST by Jeffrey White Mar 23rd 2009 @ 3:00PM

Avoid the following bars and clubs:

"Foxy Lounge" - Terbatas 2; located below the "Fashion Café" in the basement of the "Vegas" casino at the corner of Terbatas and Merkela streets near the flower market.

"Roxy Klub" - Kalku 24; located near the entrance to Old Town on Kalku street.

"Lord's Pub" (formerly "Groks Pub")-Kalku 22; located next door to Roxy Klub.

"Puzzle" (formerly "Pink Panther")-Kalku 22; also located next door to Groks Pub.

"Mary" - Audeju 13; located on the east side of Galleria "Centrs" Mall.

"DD Bars"

"Saxon" - Laipu 7; located near "Livu Square" in a small street to the right of restaurant "Steiku Haoss".

"Doll House" a.k.a "Zig Zag" – Marstalu 12; located to the right of Reformed Church.

"Bar Fly" - Vagnera 8; located near "Livu Square" in a small street to the right of "Roxy", "Groks" and "Pink Panther".

"Zephry Bar" - located near Galleria Center in Old Town, near the youth hostel.

"Mademoiselle Cigar Club" – Valnu street; located in Old Town across from "Lounge 8".

"Nobu Sushi" - Grecinieku 28; located in Old Town.

New Riga Old City Cafe Bar SCAM - Single Men Watch Out

We have received a comment on our original POSTing about Scams in Riga 's Old City

http://www.rigainside.info/2008/08/riga-scams-being-exposed-finally-beware.html

We have no direct evidence of this situation; but based on past experiences, it is believable.

Please read and come to your own conclusions. At any case be aware of your surroundings and avoid strange uncomfertable situations. Carry the 24 hour Tourist Hotline number and call it immediately should you become concerned.  24 hours in English -- +371-2-203-3000

The following comments received by email 26 February 2009 by a reader named Paul:

Paul has left a new comment on your post "Riga SCAMS being exposed - finally - BEWARE !": 

Latvia Riga The Wild West 

Back Drop.

Latvia is a very small country that joined the EU in 2005. It then had double digit growth in the Economy / Property / Personal Wealth and average annual inflation was in double digits until 2008. Then the economy started to shrink by more than 12% of the GDP / 50% Property and Personal Wealth wiped out. But yet average annual inflation stayed in double digits figures. Unemployment has reached 8.3 percent and is still climbing in January 2009,

Riga Frontier Town

I have been going to Riga for over 4 years. I go because my girlfriend comes from the City, I met her in my home City in the UK where she works, we visit her family in Riga and stay for a few days at a time because the flat is so small, I stay in a hotel in the City. I’ve seen all the tourist scams over the years and never fell for one! I think of myself as above all this and they won’t get me. As I never go in to a Bar when I can’t see through the windows or when a stranger asks me to come with them and I never walk down badly light road / streets. The scam they use most is a young girl or boy who will chat to you for a time, then they will try and take you to a bar where they over charge you as much as $100.00 to $200.00 for one drink. If you don’t pay you get a beating until you do! All western counties ensure the safety of their visitors but not in Latvia! In Riga the police are no help at all!
Anyway back to my story it was Tuesday 17 February 2009 I and my girlfriend had been the cinema it was 9.30pm I put my girlfriend in a taxi to go home and I went to a very nice bar called Opium in the City centre. I had very relaxed drink and chatted with the bar man about how a Capital City in Europe had so few tourist, and how all the scams against visitors have finally started to have affect.
You most bear in mind; tourism contributes 10% of annually worlds GDP. 
Something the Latvians have no idea about! Shame on them!

I then left that bar and went for some food; I went to a bar called TGI which means Thank God Its Friday. It’s only a Burger Bar a well light place with good food and drink! I sat at the bar, there were two older German men sitting next to me having drinks speaking English to the bar maid, as I try not to speak to much to the Latvians I thought I would chat to the Germans. As we talked about things two older women sat behind the two Germans and were trying to get their attention I laughed about this and went to WC as I walked over to the WC a young girl stepped out of nowhere in front of me and said hello I replied back and walked past her. On my way back one of the older women behind the Germans stood in front of me and said your friend wants you. I looked round at this point only to find the young girl trying to get my attention I just smiled back and sat with the Germans a few minutes later a very old and used woman sat next to me I thought she was drunk again she was trying to get my attention I was having now of this. She stayed for a few minutes then moved on but as soon as she was gone two more women sat next to me again trying to chat to me. This was getting too much for me I looked round the bar and saw about five Latvia men outside the bar waiting round I don’t know if these men were the girls Pimps who knows? When I asked the bar maid what’s going on with all these girl she said this is Riga and how things are at this point I thought it was time to leave!!!!!

I walked over to a bar called Melnais Kakis. Really cool bar in the Old Town they have good beer, pool, darts and jukebox full of good music. It’s a place where I thought things would be ok!
I sat down and a bar maid come over to take my order she came back over with the drink I told her this was a nice bar I got a smile from her she said thanks. Then a second later the young girl from TGI had followed me over to this bar with her friend or pimp, who knows, but they sat some way off to my relief, she was trying to get eye contact with me, she got none! 
But I was getting a little worried about how predatory the people were getting now!!!!!!!! A few minutes later three men walked in talking English I thought they were British they sat a few tables away from me. I order again then went the WC one of the men was in the WC he was hitting a machine. I told him not to as they may throw him out. Then he started speaking to me I left the WC he left behind me,
I went back to my table he went back to his.

A very short time later the man I spoke to in the WC came to the bar then sat next to me and started talking, then his two friends came over and sat with me I did not like this too much. He then started talking to his friend in another language. I thought what this! There British? When I asked what language they were speaking they said they were from Finland and there speaking Fin, so I asked why are you speaking English? He replied “for our Latvian friend we’ve just met to night” I thought NO! 
I warned them to be careful at this point the Latvian man rang somebody and in a few minutes two very good looking girls walked in the bar and sat with us. They order a drink, I paid no attention to the girls but I did ask the two Fins if girls like these would talk to them back at home and if not why are these girls talking to you now, the two Fins paid no attention to the girls so the girls then jump up and said we were gay. They then left the bar the Latvian man left a few seconds later and ran after the girls we could see them fighting in the street outside the bar, we laughed at them and had another drink. 

I thought that’s one for the tourist. But to our amazement the Latvian man and girls come back in to the bar and sat with us again the girls ordered some food and drink. Then a second men walked in to the bar and ordered a drink and sat with us, guess what? he was also Latvian. I then asked him “why are you all doing this” He said I don’t know what you’re talking about I’m only having a drink with my friends. So I warned the two Fins to be careful the girls then stood up and asked the two Fins to come with them to the Lord Pub which is the old Groks Bar. The two Fins said no to them! The girl pointed at me and said something in Russian or Latvian then they throw the bill on the table I and the Fins told the waitress we will not pay it. Things were said and the girls paid the bill and left. 
I then asked the second Latvian man “why you are doing this” again he did not answer me! 
I thought things were getting bad now! At this point a man walked in to the bar with two women the two women sat behind the Fins and the big Man the best way to describe him is a Big Troll with a coat on. He stood in front of me. With his finger he pointed to his eye then at me, I thought Shit! 
I asked the second Latvian man why the Troll man did that to me. Guess what he said? I don’t know!
I then got up and went to the waitress and asked her what’s going on she then said to me it’s a Russian thing at that point I thought I’d better pay the bill and leave but another two men came in to the bar and walk the length of the bar, one stayed at the top exit the other stood by the exit next to me and the Troll man was in the other room, so all the exits were covered now and I had no way out shit shit shit!!!!!!!

I thought Quick how do I get out, I asked the girl to show me how much I owned on the till screen it was 11 Ls so I gave her 15 Ls but I asked for another small beer which cost 1.50 Ls I walk back to my table sat down and drank a bit. I then asked the second Latvian man the one I’ve spoken a few times if he wanted a smoke he said yes thank God for that, so we stood up ( I had a drink on the table I’m going to come back or so they think ) I walked out behind him I could see there was some type of gesture to the man at the door to let us out. As soon as I was out the door I walked as quickly as I could down the road with the second Latvian man asking where I was going. I just told him I had to go it was late as soon as I was out of sight I ran. (I run 10k every day so I have no problem running ) I made my first turn back to my hotel then I heard a car driving fast so I slowed down change my appearance a little, then a 4+4 come in to sight I walked very slow making a point of not looking at them, the 4+4 come up very fast then slowed very quickly but they overshot me because of the ice and snow I turn again then ran to my hotel I made it after five minutes of running!!!!!!!!! 
I do feel really sorry for the Finland men that I left behind and I hope they are well and safe but one must think about one self but I did warn them!!!!!!!! 

All I can say if you are thinking of going to Latvia Riga Don’t! 
If you are take care!!

Don’t forget your Six Shooter 
For the most lawless town in Europe!!! 
Posted by Paul to Inside Riga Latvia - What's Happening at February 26, 2009 10:14 PM

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Latvian food has too much salt

Study Finds What Doctors Already Knew:
Salt Leads to Hypertension - High Blood Pressure

- click for details -

We all know how salty food served in Latvian cafes and restaurants can be.

SOMETIMES IT IS ALMOST UNEATABLE

For years now this Rooster has complained and complained to deaf ears. This most recent study makes what many of us have heard and known for yers now as well.

Tell the waitress when you order NO SALT -

just say: bez salz

If enough of us do this maybe we will get some lowering of the salt level in the local food being served.

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Restaurants Riga Latvia

for more information, we recommend The Baltic City paper - Restaurants & Cafes

OLD RIGA

Dome Steak House: Smilsu 2, tel. 6-732-0037. Open:11:30-23. This place offers some of the best-prepared steaks in Riga prepared by a Swedish chef.


Kiploku Krogs: Jekaba 3/5, tel. 6-721-1451. Open:11-23. Garlic in, on and around everything-including your breath.


Melnie Muki (Black Monks): Jana 1, in a former medieval cloister in the old city; tel. 6-721-5006. Open:12-02. This old city restaurant feels more like a family’s living room—in the very best sense of the word. There is a warmer, more intimate feel to the place than at many other Riga restaurants.


Sue’s Indian Raja: Vecpilsetas 3, tel. 6-722-1617. Open:12-23. Raj Chaudhary, is responsible for this excellent Indian restaurant. Nestled in a quiet corner of Riga’s gorgeous Hanseatic old city, this basement-level restaurant is a maze of hideaway rooms and cavernous halls, with several private dining areas tucked discreetly into cozy, candle-lit corners. Gentle crooning Indian music, the faint smell of incense and assorted artifacts from the subcontinent make the atmosphere just right. The food, cooked by chefs brought in straight from India, is showstopping: the extensive menu includes spicy Indian soups, garlic Naan, plus a whole variety of curry and fish entreés. The spicy Vindaloo chicken is particularly good; for an appetizer, try the chicken tikka, a kebab-like meat cooked in a tandoor oven. For dessert, sample the wonderful Kulfi Indian ice cream. Sue’s Indian Raja also features attentive, friendly service.


Otto Schwarz: Kaïíu 28, on the top floor of the Ho­tel de Rome; tel. 6-708-7623. Open:07-23. Otto Schwarz offers a seasonal menu using fresh, local ingredients. The background music, service, decor, not to mention the food, are very good. Maybe has the finest wine list in the Baltics. Otto Schwarz is expensive by regional standards, but it’s worth it.


Monterosso: Valnu 9, in the old city; tel. 6-722-2071. Open:10-24. Monterosso, by most accounts, serves some of the finest Italian food in Riga.


Arbat: Vagnera 3, tel. 6-721-4056. Open:12-24. This richly-decorated restaurant has an upscale, bojar house feel. A long menu of high-class Russian dishes.


DA – DA Galerija Centrs: First Floor, Tel. 7-710-4433, Open 10:00 to 24:00, DA - DA restaurant is a challenge to try unhear – off emotions and papies colle cousine of Mongolia. Our conception is build on culture of Dadaism. Here You can see extraordinary interior and cousine features which we offer to You. World of false mirror – it’s not what we used to see in real life – it’s something different. “DADAism in the bowl depence of Your mood. In “DA – DA” restaurant there is no concrete dish, but there are concrete ingredient which You can combane in a different variation. It’s depend on Your own taste. There are 7 sauces, Your chosen one is the united element. The restaurant “DA – DA’’ is giving You a chance to create Your own eatable master piece. Top level customer service



City Center - North

Vincents: Elizabetes 19, tel. 6-733-2830. Open:11-24. Vincents, remains one of the standards for upscale restaurants in the whole of the Baltics. The service is spectacularly attentive and inventive; top opera singers are a fixture in the evening and break into song when least expected. The food is shockingly good and one has to search far and wide for other Baltic restaurants that can even come close. The likes of Prince Charles, Elton John, Montserrat Caballé and B.B. King have all discovered this for themselves, having been among the clients. Vincents uses organic products when possible and has a wonderfully eclectic menu that changes regularly.


City Center - Berga Bagars - Central

No recommendation from us here !!


City Center - Central

Dzirnavas (Lido Group): Dzirnavu 76, tel. 6-728-6204. Open:08-23. A wonderfully vast kingdom of a restaurant, something between an old Latvia theme park and a Swedish smorgasbord. The food, mostly Latvian country specialties, is all pre-prepared and you go through a cafeteria-style line. The food is hardly high class, but that’s obviously not the main point of this fun-loving place. It all feels like the inside of an old Latvian farmhouse; there’s a stream running through the middle of the restaurant, and Latvian folk music um-pah-pahs in the background. The place is very popular and always bustling.


Osiris: Barona 31, about a 10-minute walk from the old city; tel. 6-724-3002. Open:08-24; Sat., Sun. 10-24. How many ways can you say class? However you say it, this place has it. Everything from the food to the general atmosphere to the background music meets a very high standard. Osiris, which is a favorite hangout of artistically-inclined locals, isn’t located in the flashiest-looking building in Riga. But the whole place breathes class, and the wonderfully eclectic menu makes Osiris perfect for any time of the day.


Akhtamar: - 9 Merkeļa, across from the Riga Circus, Tel. 6-721-5032 , This wonderful Armenian restaurant in the heart of historic Riga's city center will delight you and your friends. Most entries prepared at table side on an open flame. Ethnic Armenian food presented in a fantastic relaxing atmosphere. photos - take a look at the great food and environment Private rooms for small parties to large private banquets (from 6 to 60 persons)


Par Daugava West bank Daugava River

Bellevue: Slokas 1, across the river, in the excellent Maritim Park Hotel; tel .6- 706-9000. Open:18-23. A very good, high-end restaurant with spectacular views of Riga from its 11th floor perch. Some mark this down as one of the finest restaurants of them all in the Latvian capital. http://www.maritim.lv/


Fabrikas Restorans: Balasta dambis 70, tel. 6-787-3804. On the vanguard of the gentrification of Kipsala Island in the Daugava is this restaurant. Great views of Riga’s old city. Block them with your car, though, and the staff will very diplomatically ask you to park elsewhere. Excellent service and food. Prices reasonable for Riga—which means higher than the other Baltic cities.


Greater Riga - South

Lido Recreation Center: Krasta 76, a 10-minute drive southeast of the old city; tel. 6-750-4420. Open:10-23. A cross between Disneyland and a Latvian country inn. Everything, from the cottage knick-knacks to the beams seem to be two or three times real scale, giving the place the feel of a roadside inn on steroids. Traditional Latvian food is served here cafeteria-style; you take a tray and wander around wanting to grab almost everything. There’s a wide variety of pork, chicken, pancake dishes and desserts, including wonderful waffles smothered in honey. Outside the massive stone building is a park with huge glass displays with animated animals and toys, clearly targeting the kids. Also rides and assorted outdoor fairs and concerts in the summer, and skating rink in winter which in summer is used for in-line skating.


Russian LIDO - Russkij Dvor: Kengaraga 3, off Maskavas street; tel. 6-713-4930. Open:10-23; Sun. 11-23. A Russian place with the feel of a theme park imagined by Walt Disney; it’s actually a homegrown establishment, done by the same savvy entrepreneurs who do the similarly fun-filled Latvian-food restaurant Lido. All and all, Russkij Dvor is excellent, highly distinctive and probably a must visit for tourists. It’s built as a vast, idealized version of a Russian village, with bright-red paintings of fairy-tale figures along the inside walls. The traditional Russian food, from blini to pancakes to pork and solyanka soup, is served cafeteria style, so, if you need to, you can get in and out fast. There’s a playground for the kids and frequent live Russian music. Perfect for family outings.


for more information, we recommend The Baltic City paper - Restaurants & Cafes

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Warning - as warm days arrive watch out for potential bad food

Warning!

As the warmer summer days arrive, it has been experience from past years to watch out for potentially bad food at small cafes, shops and even larger places like LIDO.

Chicken wings traditionally have been a problem and so are those small meatloaf style Mijas Home cutlet patties.

The food is cooked OK; but, sits around for some time and --  it is a stomach ache waiting to happen.

This writer was quite ill half the night and still now in the morning from some pastries bought at a up level cafe yesterday afternoon.

Also cold salads like Chicken Caesar salad from delis like Stockmanns have been a problem in the past.

Just be careful and when in doubt - don't take a risk !