About the book: 2023 / The second half of the 19th century was in many ways a turning point for Russia. The nobles stood guard over the traditions of ancient Russian and haute French cuisine. Merchant families actively “broke through” into high society, mastering its menu and trying to outdo the nobles in luxury and extravagance. Factory and plant workers needed simple, cheap and at the same time satisfying food. An increasing number of people of different classes traveled abroad, bringing culinary novelties from there. Factories for the production of candy, new expensive restaurants, tea houses, coffee shops and cheap kitchens opened... The hero of our book, Ilya Ilyich Oblomov, like no one else, knows how to appreciate simple joys - a soft sofa, a restful sleep, a comfortable robe and, of course, delicious food. We find out what was served for home and formal breakfasts, everyday and formal dinners, what was eaten at provincial feasts and what was kept in the cellar of the “housekeeping fairy” Agafya Matveevna... In the book you will find a huge number of unique recipes for dishes that were served at that time. The publishing layout of the book is saved in PDF A4 format.