While I'm in Moscow (3 nights) I'd like to spluge on a culinary experience. Not just to see authentic food (I will do that too), but to see the latest in Russian's version of haute cuisine.
I'd like to keep it under $150 (no drinks) and would prefer a chef's tasting menu to a la carte.
Of course, I've looked at Cafe Pushkin, but I was wondering if anyone knew of another place. It doesn't need to be the fanciest, just a great chef that puts out great food.
thanks!
Funny question in a forum where backpackers look for the cheapest way of travelling/sleeping/eating !
The best option would be Komm's new Varvary, if you're into all that fancy molecular stuff.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120735089354391269.html
P.S. Café Pushkin is no more haute cuisine than your local McDonald's
Check out #1 Red Square. They have a website. It is in the State History Museum.
Look at reviews on sites like themoscowtimes.com, expat.ru
Ruth
I just read some hilarious book about some radio/TV-reporter of the last years (All Moscovites see them fly- which is very Dutch for ''touched by the mill'').
The fad of the day seems to be themed restaurants, not for the food (its still salad olivier), but for the general entourage: Gulag archipel, Rossye in the 17th century, etc. But they open and close in such alarming speed, that Ruths advice seems best: those shiny local tourist-newspapers and brochures. And bring a few bodyguards to be let in in hi-posh places........
Spoerle, what are you talking about? This is not just a forum for backpackers looking for the cheapest travelling/sleeping/eating. I certainly am not and never have been a backpacker and I'm sure many other posters are not.
Spoerle, please be inclusive of all posters. And do something about your anger issue.
apoive - I had run across that article once before and have since forgotten about it. I remember looking up the restaurant as well. It's a tad pricy, but may be worth the splurge.
Spoerle, I am a "reformed backpacker" - yes, I still stay in the cheapest possible spot. I still brag that I can live out of the smallest bookbag for 6 months. I stay off the beaten path. etc, etc, etc.
But don't mess with my food. :)
I will be planning on eating street food most of the time (and at my-my, of course). Not only will it be more reasonably priced, but it tends to be more ethnic and "what the local's eat".
However, just like it would be a horror to go to New York or Las Vegas or Paris and not eat a grand meal. I've heard that Moscow is becoming the same kind of city. I'd love to see what they could do with an adventerous chef and $150 USD.
I was going to try chowhound.com.... but those are foodies that don't tend to travel much. so I thought I'd try to ask travellers.
Well, Chowhounders certainly do not "travel & post." I found very little info on Kyiv restos, at that site. The better choice had outrageous service - a fact of life in the East Bloc - and I didnt bother to leave a steamy post only because there are, in fact, few excellent options in Kyiv.
However, as a test, I recently asked my posh friend in St. Pete about a few of the places strongly suggested on the link below - he confirmed they were good.