Gallery Café (27 Ulitsa Petrovka, Moscow) – considered a “go to” place for well-connected locals (mainly those 25 and over), this restaurant’s menu contains Italian, Japanese, French and Russian dishes from Executive Chef Sergey Markin. Along with the food, its patrons order drinks from daiquiris to raspberry with Maracuja, frappe saint-tropez, goji-berry with strawberry cocktails, […]
Druzhba (Novoslobodskaya, 4, Metro Novoslobodskaya, Moscow) – located within a shopping mall of the same name, Druzhba ranks among the top Chinese restaurants in Moscow. On the menu is a huge selection of carefully chosen Chinese favorites that represent various regions and styles of cooking. There’s something for every palate. There’s live music to entertain patrons […]
Chekhov (4 Petropavlovskaya Ul., St. Petersburg) – this restaurant’s 19th century décor contrasts with a 21st century remake of Russian dishes. Fiery red borsch, chicken Kiev, baked whitefish and cabbage pies are served, with the sweet scent of homemade cherry Nalivka floating in the air. A white piano, an antique gramophone and oak furniture complete […]
CDL (50 Povarskaya ul. Bolshaya Nikitskaya, Moscow) – this restaurant’s initials (which mean “Central House of Literateurs”), is housed within an old mansion and is considered one of Moscow’s better dining destinations. World leaders like Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Indira Gandhi, and top executives from companies like Coca-Cola and Johnson & Johnson have dined here during […]
Café Pushkin (26A Tverskoy Boulevard, Moscow) – this three-level restaurant, whose atmosphere is owed to its Victorian-era décor, serves Russian food which is reputed to be fit for Czarist royalty, such as blini, caviar, ukha (a creamy, spiced fish soup), grilled sterlet with forest mushrooms, and pelmeni (meat dumplings).
Buono (Radisson Royal Hotel, 2/1 Building 1, Kutuzovsky Prospect, Moscow) – located on the 28th & 28th floors of the one-time Hotel Ukraina (one of the famed Stalin-era “Seven Sister” buildings), this restaurant is regarded as much for its panoramic views of the city as it is for the food. Various Italian dishes are prepared […]
TAXI (St. Petersburg) – If you wish to take a taxi, you will need to call a reputable cab company. Most companies will now be able to get a car to you anywhere in the city center in 15-20 minutes. There is usually a minimum fare of around US$10, which covers the first 5 km […]
TAXI (Moscow): taxis in Moscow can be easily found throughout much of the city, with such service provided by various private cab companies. Since many of these taxis are unmetered, it is best to set the price before boarding. For those staying in the city for a week or more, it is best to ask […]
CAR RENTALS (Moscow) – foreigners planning to spend an extended period in Moscow (especially those who will be exploring areas outside the Russian capital) can opt for a rental car. Here are the phone numbers for car rental agencies operating in Moscow: Autoprokat 77: +7 495 726-9577 Avis: +7 495 578-84-25 Delta Rent-a-Kar +7 495 505-33-77 […]
Aquabus (St. Petersburg): during the warmer weather months, “aquabuses” (water buses) are a viable transportation alternative. They ride cross the Neva River and the Gulf of Finland, connecting the downtown and some outlying areas of St. Petersburg. Often it’s possible to reach your destination faster using aquabus than usual ground transport, avoiding traffic jams. Aqua […]