Eastern European restaurant in Carmichael removes Russia reference from its name

A local restaurant in Carmichael that serves a variety of Eastern European dishes recently made the decision to remove ‘Russian’ from its name, its owner told The Bee.

Firebird Restaurant, formerly Firebird Russian Restaurant, removed the country from its name earlier this month as Russian troops started escalating attacks in Ukraine.

“We don’t want to support Russia and what they’re doing because we don’t think this is right,” restaurant owner Alexandru Sirbu said about his decision. “We don’t want to look like Russians.”

The Moldovan native inherited the restaurant three years ago under its former name. He said he felt it necessary to make the change now in order to not be affiliated with a country that has displaced many from their home. According to the United Nations, the invasion has displaced around 2.8 million Ukrainians.

The word ‘Russian’ has so far been erased from the restaurant’s website, social media platforms and related online food ordering apps.

He also made the change to more accurately represent his restaurant’s menu and capture more broadly the types of dishes served, he said. In addition to Russian plates, the restaurant makes a variety of Ukrainian, Romanian, Moldovan and Armenian foods. Sirbu said that many of these countries share similar foods such as borscht, dumplings and potato pancakes.

Restaurant turns to support Ukraine

In addition to no longer being associated with Russia by name, the restaurant has also partnered with a nonprofit that is providing relief to Ukrainian refugees in Moldova.

On March 17 and 18, the restaurant will be collecting customers’ donations for the Chicago-based nonprofit Touching a Life. The business will also be serving Ukrainian borscht for free these days for those who are wanting to try the iconic red beet soup that comes in two varieties, vegetarian and beef.

Sirbu, who runs the restaurant alongside his family, said he was also driven to support Ukrainian refugees due to his home country’s involvement in the cause. According to Radio Free Europe, Moldova, which shares a border with Ukraine to the north, has accepted more than 16,000 Ukrainian refugees.

“Since we cannot be there to help, we’ll try to do it from here,” he said. “This is what you have to do to help your neighbors and do something good.”

Nonprofits providing relief to Ukraine

For those interested in supporting Ukrainian refugees and providing relief to people living there now, here is a list of places — including some based in California — accepting donations and volunteers.

International Rescue Committee: This organization is looking for donations, volunteers and gently used items for refugees including bikes, computers, child seats and strollers.

Ukrainian American Coordinating Council: This San Francisco based organization is accepting donations to send medical supplies to Ukraine.

GlobalGiving: Donations go to the Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, which is providing humanitarian assistance to local Ukrainian organizations.

Direct Relief: This organization, based out of Santa Barbara, is focused on donating medicine and medical supplies.

UNICEF: This national nonprofit focuses on providing aid to children affected by crisis.