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Food & Drink: Hors d’oeuvres are very good and often the best part of the meal. Local specialities include kotletes (meat patties), skabu kapostu zupa (cabbage soup), Alexander Torte (raspberry- or cranberry-filled pastry strips), smoked fish, including salmon or trout, sweetbread soup with dried fruit, piragi (pastry filled with bacon and onions) and sorrel soup with boiled pork, onions, potatoes and barley. Potatoes feature regularly on the menu prepared in a variety of ways. There is also a large selection of excellent dairy products on offer such as skabs krejums (sour cream).
Riga’s Black Balsam is a thick, black alcoholic liquid which has been produced since 1700. The exact recipe is a closely guarded secret, but some of the ingredients include ginger, oak bark, bitter orange peel and cognac. It is drunk either with coffee or mixed with vodka. There are several good local beers including the dark beer bauskas Tumsais and the pale Gaisais. Kvass is a refreshing summer drink. Sparkling wine is also popular.
Nightlife: Riga has a good range of excellent restaurants, bars and cafes.
Shopping: Amber is of high quality and a good buy. Other purchases include folk art, wicker work and earthenware. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0900/1000-1800/1900, Sat 0900/1000-1600/1700. Some smaller shops may be closed 1400-1500 for lunch. Food shops open 0800/0900-2000/2100. Some shops are open 24 hours.
Special Events: For a complete list of events, contact the National Tourist Board or local Embassy (see Contact Addresses). The following are a few of the events taking place in 2003: Jan International Ballroom Dancing Festival, Ogre. Feb 16-23 World Championships in Bobsled, Sigulda. Mar 28-Apr 30 Internaional Bach Festival, Riga. Apr Eighth International Jazz Music Festival, Daugavpils. May 24 Eurovision Song Contest, Riga. Jun 10-20 Riga Opera Festival, Riga. Jun 23-24 St John's Night (to mark the summer solstice, beer is brewed and a special cheese is prepared, people wear wreaths of flowers and greenery and spend the night around the bonfire singing songs), throughout Latvia. Jun 29-Jul 6 XXIII Latvian Song and Dance Festival, Riga. Jul 17-20 International Ancient Music Festival, Riga, Bauska and Rundale; International Folklore Festival, Riga. Aug 10-13 Cutty Sark Tall Ships Races (international sailing regatta), Riga. Aug 30 Night of the Ancient Fire, Riga. Sep 13 Apjumibas Festival (harvest festival), Aluksne district. Nov Oriental Martial Arts Festival (Ventspils). Dec 27 New Year’s Eve Carnival (masked parade in the streets), Liepaja.
Social Conventions: Handshaking is customary. Normal courtesies should be observed. The Latvians are somewhat reserved and formal, but nevertheless very hospitable. They are proud of their culture and visitors should take care to respect this sense of national identity. Tipping: Taxi fares and restaurant bills usually include a tip. It is customary to give a little extra for good service.
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