Foodie food in Moscow?

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.

OP It occurs to me that this thread might be of some interest to you: Budget (but Edible!)

Ruth

OP It occurs to me that this thread might be of some interest to you: Budget (but Edible!)

Ruth

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.

Chowhound Russia Link

I wouldn't bother going to MyMy, really. If you do go, their finger-sized meat pies are about the only edible thing.

Of all the places referenced in the link above, Barashka is the only really sensible suggestion. Simple Pleasures used to be good but not any longer. The rest... well, I'd stay away

A couple more places you might fnd interesting are Le Carré Blanc and Correa's. Neither is particularly Russian, though. Correa's would be less expensive of the two. They have several branches around town. Their website is new.correas.ru

If you want homey Russian cooking, Ryumka is a good, moderately-priced place on Tverskaya, the city's main drag. (I haven't been there for a year or so but they used to be consistently good, year after year). It's basically a vodka place but the food is (or used to be) just right.

By all means try some ethnic cooking you can't get elsewhere, like Ukrainian (Shinok is nice but a bit on the expensive side), Georgian, Uzbek or Armenian. The best Armenian place in town is in the local Hyatt but you'll pay through the nose. Noah's Ark is way more affordable - if you take it easy on the liquor and wine - and still great.

Red Square, 1 (see everbrite's reply above) is supposed to be good but I haven't been there. The food they serve is a recreation of historical recipes from the Czars' table.

Hope it helps

In Moscow I have enjoyed meals at Central House of Writers and Shinok which is Ukrainian and also Airport which is Armenian and near the metro stop of the same name.

Several of my favorites have closed in recent months and I haven't been to Moscow now in about 3 years so I don't have any up to date recommendations.

Ruth