Russian Cuisine, Moscow

The main thing here is pie. Different ones. I had a visit with my VT friends and we tasted some pies (sweet pies too). Very tasty. The price depends on the size and filler of the pie. You may choose 125 gramms, 250 g and 500 g pie. We tasted several 125g-pies and the price could vary from RUR 40 to RUR 130 (EUR 1.00-3.25).
The place is not far from Chistyie Prudy area.

Favorite Dish: PIE!

It is difficult to find relatively inexpensive, convenient, and comfortable restaurants in Russia with decent food. I discovered this restaurant right across from where I was staying (across the Ring Road from the US Embassy near Metro Barriikadnaya). The great thing about it was the manager spoke English, it was never too crowded, and it was open 24 hours a day ! I needed that after some late nights out. The food was typically Russian, but better than average quality and freshness.

Favorite Dish: What evolved as my favorite dish was the fish soup - pronounced like eew-ha in Russian. very tasty, very light - really hit the spot. Also, a great wine and liquor selection.

Having lived and travelled to Russia for 16 years, it is difficult to find a comfortable, affordable restaurant with decent food. I stumbled across "Prince's Estate" - "Êíÿæåñêàÿ Óñàäüáà" by mistake because it is located next to the Central House of Writers. The decor is typical for Moscow restaurants although the service was quicker and more friendly than is normal. The manager introduced himself, a nice Latvian guy named Dennis, and he made sure our visit was comfortable. I ordered some drinks and food. I particularly liked the fish soup and steak with fries. The food I would describe as traditional Russian tailored to European/American taste. The best part was the bill - it worked out to about $30 per person which by central Moscow standards is a bargain.

Favorite Dish: I liked all the food I was served as did the rest of my party of four, but my favorite dish was the fish soup, pronounced "rib-knee sup" in Russian or "ooh-haa". You have to be careful ordering this soup even if you think you speak passable Russian as I mistakenly ordered "ear soup" ! Needless to say the waitress understood what I really wanted. The soup came with (I think) four types of boneless fish and assorted herbs and spices and was seasoned just right. Wash it down with some hearty Russian bread and some vodka and it's good times.

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The Restaurant Zhiguli consists of a large main hall and a smaller self-service canteen (stolovaya). The place was named after a famous beer hall which existed on Novy Arbat during Soviet times.

I visited the self-service canteen twice for dinner. They offer a wide variety of Russian food from all sorts of starters and salads to main dishes and deserts. You have to queue at the buffet style counter and chose what you like. After you have paid your meal at the cashier you can sit down at one of the long wooden tables.

The food was decent and relatively cheap for such a central location. Expect to pay about 300 Rubles (ca. 8 Euro, 2009) for a complete meal with a drink.

Directions:
Although the address of Restaurant Zhiguli is the street ul. Novy Arbat, the entrance to the place can be found just round the corner in one of the side streets between the streets ul. Novy Arbat and ul. Arbat. The nearest metro stop is "Arbatskaya" on the blue line.

Address: Restaurant Zhiguli, ul. Novy Arbat 11/1, 119019 Moscow

Website: http://www.zhiguli.net/

"Lucien is a new restaurant named after French chef Lucien Olivier who came to Russia at the end of the 19th century. He became famous for his signature salad of fresh vegetables, smoked fish, potatoes and a mystery sauce which turned out to be a variant of mayonaise. Soon the "Olivier" salad became a big sensation in Russia's higher circles and herds of people queued up at his restaurant for somptuous dinners and festive banquets. The place became synonimous with refined wining and dining. Some say Lucien Olivier re-invented Russian cuisine with his extraordinary cooking skills and international experience."

I must say we were quite impressed when the waiter told the story, explaining the name of the restaurant, with such passion and dedication. Lucien is located in an area just outside the city centre, along one of the main boulevards leaving town, in a stately mansion which has been nicely renovated to house this oasis of luxury and refinement.

Lucien invites you to take part in Russian tea ceremonies and reinvents traditional feasts with a fresh take on classic dishes, served with utmost care and attention. Lucien boasts an impressive list of traditional Russian home-made drinks, based on fruits and a range of spirits and a well balanced wine-list.

Expect a gastronomic trip through the Russian landscape that will make you discover delicately cooked meats and home-smoked fishes, indulge in exquisite pastries and berries. As did Lucien Olivier at the end of the 19th century the people from "Lucien" are bringing Russian cuisine with a twist, re-interpreting the classics without forgetting the essence.

Favorite Dish: One of the dishes you simply have to order is of course the "Olivier" salad. We had the variant with delicately smoked fish blending marvelously with the crunchy vergetables, a hint of patoto and "mystery" sauce. As main courses we can certainly recommend the chicken Kiev style with mushrooms in sour cream and cherry compote on the side and the sturgeon steak with a cream sauce with black caviar. As deserts we had a creme brulee with berries and home made ice cream, all very tasty and a perfect ending to a delightful dinner.

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This is a really typical russian restaurant where people will have fun all the evning long while enjoying the very good food with traditionnal russion songs.

The servive is great and the girls lovely ! the paintings on the wall are also very nice. I strongly recommend this address during your stay in Moscow

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The Pushkin Café is open and buzzing, 24/7. By day, the well-to-do and middle-aged lunch on caviar and blinis. When they have gone to bed, night owls come here looking for dinner at 1 a.m., and still later, exhausted clubbers stop in for breakfast. Given the pre-Revolutionary decor, including French windows and high ceilings, as well as shelves of ancient books, you may feel a bit like a character in a Russian novel yourself. The waiters, who tend to sport impressive sideburns, offer prompt service, and the Russian menu is high-priced but hearty.

First of all I can say that the prices are below the high standards U can find in moscow now days. Everywhere U go expect to pay no less than 20 euros/person and on this restorant it was about 15 and we ended up filled up. This restorants U can say that are the russian equivalent to any other fast food place but with russian dishes. The ambience of the place is great, decorated with russian style and all the waitress are dressed with typical russian dresses.

Right when U enter U'll find a bit two stores table with lot of things to choose from. These dishes are "all u can eat for one price" so go ahead and fill up your estomach for about 12 euros. If U are looking for something "heavier" for the stomach then U can just sit and ask for the menu. There are plenty of typical dishes to choose from.

Is good to say that vegetarians will find plenty of options here.

Favorite Dish: Blini always blinis, I love them ;)