WHERE TO EAT LIKE AN EMPEROR
BIRCH: Launched in late 2017, Birch is a joint project of four partner chefs — and at least one great designer. I love its mix of industrial (cement floors, workshop lighting) with natural materials (birch-wood tables and wall panels of birch poles, evoking Russian forests). Go for the tuna ceviche with nectarines, tomato and yuzu dotted with basil oil. Charming service and serious food. Main courses from Rbs490 (about R115). birchrest.com
AZIA: The best of the city’s new Asian-fusion restaurants. And stylish too, with lots of warm blond wood, reclaimed metal and handmade brick tiles — plus open kitchens framed by walls of spice jars. It also boasts an enviable location, on the corner of Nevsky Propekt and Mikhaylovskaya Street, tucked inside the Belmond Grand Hotel Europe, but the real star is the food, from Tibetan dumplings to dim sum and sushi. Main courses from about Rbs1,000 (R230). See belmond.com
HAMLET & JACKS: With exposed brick walls, stone floors and tables of salvaged wood, Hamlet & Jacks offers a menu divided into two parts: “Ours”, using Russian ingredients, and “Ours+Theirs”, mixing Russian and global influences. Upcoming young chef Evgeny Vikentev creates dishes that surprise and inspire. I loved the Rostov duck breast with a pumpkin, black garlic and tangerine sauce (Rbs760/R176). hamletandjacks.com
DUO GASTRO BAR: Small, funky and friendly, Duo comes with an open kitchen, a retro vibe and a fashionable young clientele. Awardwinning chef Dmitry Blinov has created a menu equally at ease with Russian traditions and international dishes. Go for the pork belly with apple and wasabi. Mains from Rbs490 (R115). See duobar.ru/en
DUO ASIA: Same people, but a whole other thing — Asian cuisine, a sleek, modern, greyand-black look, and a menu that manages to swing from kimchi to poke to sushi without putting a foot wrong. Dishes from Rbs390 (R90). See duoasia.ru/en
ZOOM: Comfy, cosy and family-friendly, this café-restaurant has games and cuddly toys for children and a cool jazz soundtrack for adults. Come for smoothies, cakes, seriously creative breakfasts, duck gnocchi and perch polenta. Mains from Rbs380 (R88).
cafezoom.ru/eng