Russian in Phoenix

Ever wonder what folks eat in Uzbekistan? Well, then, Samarkand is your place. Run by two Uzbek expats, Samarkand serves killer kebabs, everything from lamb chops and chicken to captain fish (sea bass) and salmon. In addition to the skewers, you can order from a list of salads - including carrot salad, mushroom salad - and funchoza, made with Chinese rice noodles. For dessert, there's hot tea made with a mixture of black and green tea leaves, and sweet cakes of ground walnuts. Yum. All hearty, delicious, and very cheap.

A beautiful little takeout deli and grocery stocked with Eastern European specialties. Service can be scary, but hurts are eased with delicious dishes like incredible piroshki (dough pockets packed with creamy mashed potatoes, homemade sauerkraut or meat). Take-and-bake items impress, with rainbows of frozen dumplings (cherry, potato, beef, lamb, sour cream). Groceries span an array of smoked fish (sprats, sturgeon), imported cookies galore, dozens of Eastern European sausage varieties, and case after case of exotic meats and cheeses.