We have been living for now over 3 months in Vilnius so we start having some OK knowledge on restaurant and places, although I am sure this will only improve with time :-)
Being a rather small city (500,000) and not being Eastern Europe among my culinary destinations of choice, I was a bit worried about the range of choices. I have been in the city for consulting or BD work several times, but my experience was reserved to 2 or 3 top restaurants, mostly French. But the city has exceeded my expectations, which is nothing but great.
I am not going to put all contact details (you can find most of them on http://www.balticsworldwide.com/tourist/lithuania/restaurants.htm or trip advisor) but my personal notes on them
St. Germain (French Cuisine), probably with La Provence and Sticklei (and the one within the city hall building) the most upwards market restaurants (and in general most expensive too). However St. Germain is rather small, cozy and even if expensive it always seems more approachable. Apart from some general good French entries, it has always 2 or 3 fresh fish (seabass, sole, dorada) that is rather difficult to try in Vilnius. Very good wine selection and excellent desserts and cheeses. Not your everyday restaurant but the one to treat you, your couple or friends once in a while
Bistro 18 - Probably the hottest restaurant in town. Although I always miss that the owners will be more part of the atmosphere and approach clients to talk to them and show their passion for the place, the waitress are always very nice and the service is very good
Bistro 18 decoration is rather minimalistic and trying to use wine as the main theme around the restaurant. In fact you can try to reserve the table within the small wine shop set up on the right side of the restaurant as you enter. this is perfect for a business dinner for 4 or 5 people
The menu is not large (this is the norm in almost every good restaurant in the city) and has always a selection of 3-4 soups (which you can try all in the soup trio), offering daily salad, rissoto, pasta (there several other choices but usually the day selection is more creative and interesting) and fresh fish offering and then 4 or 5 choices for meat. You can always choose a salad and potatoes (please try the mashed potatoes. Just amazing (and I don't really like mashed potatoes that much). Another good alternative is just to go there take several wines by the glass (good selection always (for being in EE remember) and some cheese plate
Sue's Indian Raja - An indian place in Vilnius and a good one? Actually yes a very good indian that I believe will even do fairly well in almost any European city (with the exception of London probably). The menu is fairly large and it has all the indian typical plates you are used to find (vindaloo, tikka, tikka masala, etc...) with veggie,chicken, shrimp, lamb or beef. Good soups also, yellow dal and good naans. And if you want spicy always ask them to make it spicier for you. The vindaloo could even kill you if you want to :-)
Zoe's Bar & Grill - Next door to Sue's is Zoe's. Another great place and also with great atmosphere. Very decent cocktails if you fancy an aperitif. Good onion soup and Thai soup (although this one is fairly spicy so your choice :-) Menu for mains is quite large. A selection more around thai/oriental like different curry's, steaks, sandwiches and more. I have always like everything I tried here. The creme brulee was very good although suddenly it is not in the menu any more. The place is open until late so I good choice if you have just get out of the movies at 22 and also lovely to see the cook grill your food near you.
Rene - If one place is different in Vilnius this is Rene. It is a Belgium place, where everything that happen around their service is a surprise (a pleasant one). I am not going to describe as this is part of the fun, but I am sure you won't feel as "your usual waitress".Mussels are fresh 3 days a week (usually Tuesday, Friday and Sunday) and then you can enjoy 6 different cooking recipes (and always with the great frites and mayo). Soups are good and abundant. If not a mussel day, the stew and the sausages (4 types) are fantastic. Also the large fish stew as a main is a really good choice. The only CONs if any to the place are that the Belgium beer selection is not large (only 3 to choose) and avoid the salads. But you will always go back to Rene
Next one on Vilnius will be Brunch in Vilnius
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