LavShash Restaurant in Old Pasadena will host a special event on Saturday, Aug. 24, to celebrate Ukraine’s Independence Day. The restaurant, owned by Kateryna Voskanian, who recently immigrated to the US from Ukraine, will offer a menu of traditional dishes and live music during five seating times.
The celebration marks the 33rd anniversary of Ukraine’s declaration of independence from the Soviet Union.
Linnea Lourenço, a LavShash patron who is helping with the event emphasized the significance of the gathering.
“This event is a way for us to come together as a community and celebrate Ukraine’s independenceas a sovereign state” she said.
The Voskanian family opened LavShash in March 2024. They previously operated a similar eatery in Kharkiv, Ukraine for 20 years until forced to leave her homeland and business due to the 2022 Russian invasion.
LavShash’s Independence Day menu will feature popular and tasty Ukrainian and Eastern European dishes.
Guests can savor delicious okroshka, a refreshing cold soup made with sour cream, potatoes, finely chopped cucumbers and radishes.
The iconic beet soup, borscht, will also be available alongside holubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls) and goulash served with mashed potatoes.
These dishes are designed to help remind Ukrainians of the comfort foods of home and introduce many local residents to new dishes from the Eastern European region.
To complement the meal, diners can enjoy uzvar, a traditional Ukrainian beverage made with cooked dried fruits and berries.
The event will feature live performances by Ukrainian musical artist Inka and acoustic guitarist, Anton, who will play Ukrainian national songs. Inka, a former vocal coach for Ukrainian TV shows like “X-Factor UA” and “The Voice UA,” is now a voice coach in Los Angeles. She has performed at various fundraising events in the Los Angeles area to support troops in Ukraine and recently sang at Downtown Los Angeles’ February 24 gathering marking the 2nd year of war from the invasion of Ukraine. Her goal is to share Ukrainian culture through her music.
“We hope that this celebration not only brings visibility to LavShash but also highlights the contributions of Ukrainian immigrants to our local community,” Lourenço said.
She pointed out that Los Angeles has a significant Eastern European population, second only to Sacramento.
The event will offer five seating times: 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8:30 p.m.
For those celebrating at home, LavShash is offering pre-orders of Ukrainian Napoleon cake, a popular dessert for celebrations, for $45, serving eight people. Pre-orders must be placed by Aug. 21.
Lourenço highlighted the role of Ukrainian-owned businesses in supporting newly arrived Ukrainians.
“Many business owners, like Kateryna Voskanian at LavShash, are supporting fellow Ukrainians by providing opportunities for work – many of whom cannot enter the workforce until their English language skills reach a functional level,” she explained.
Interested? Make reservations or place pickup orders by calling the restaurant at (626) 469-0095 or send an email at lavshash.la@gmail.com. LavShash is located at 115 E. Colorado Blvd., in Old Pasadena.
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