Kathmandu, April 10 -- Saturday was a foggy evening in Kathmandu. A light drizzle that had begun in the afternoon had settled by evening, but the sky was still overcast. People across social media were complaining of being challenged by the weather, and that a nice bowl of steamy jhol momo would've hit the spot.

But at the Waterfall Garden in Lazimpat's Radisson Hotel, plates of steaming roasted duck breasts with orange sauce were keeping folks warm. Along with the duck, which had a citric, almost sour taste, there were special honey cakes, prepared on the spot by Russian chef Denis Perevoz.

While revelers feasted on Russian delicacies, up on stage, there were Russian folk dances and songs, a fire act performed by Marinka Belkina, and p...