Restaurant Review

Within Moscow

You can’t sit outside; but you can see the river through the window. The Japanese hall is decorated with restraint and taste. Choose from more than 30 different types of sushi, and many other Japanese dishes. Middle Asian cooking is served in the Tashkent hall, furnished with sofas and pillows. Here you can choose from 13 kinds of shashlik, and traditional samsa, manty and plov. VIP room for 6 people.

Aiko 24 Frunzenskaya Nab. Telephone: (495) 242 9773 Aiko at Passport Restaurant Guide

Almost like a real boat; with its tables on deck, the staff dressed in ship’s uniform, and a view over the Dzhamagarovsky pond in Medvedkovo, this is dining on the waterfront. The large menu features favourites from Europe, Middle Asia and Georgia; there is also a sushi bar and grill. Be aware that every Friday and Saturday there are entertainment shows with Russian pop stars performing.
12 Startovaya Ul. From 12.00 to last diner.
Tel.: (095) 474 7059. M. Medvedkovo.
www.avrorarest.ru

The fact that they still haven’t thought of designing their interior doesn’t seem to have affected the popularity of this boat restaurant on the Moscow River. What matters is the authentic and inexpensive menu, and the carnival atmosphere (a Georgian orchestra is playing every evening). We can’t say that it’s romantic if it’s just the two of you, but it’s fun in a group.

Mama Zoya 8 Sechenovsky per.; 6 Frunzenskaya nab. Telephone: (495) 201 7743; 242 8550 Mama Zoya at Passport Restaurant Guide

Very popular with people who drive those big black shiny vehicles with blacked-out windows, this boat restaurant has a wonderful view across the Moscow River to Gorky Park. Never mind the clientele, the food is some of the best Azeri and Georgian cooking in the city. There are three areas for dining, and our choice would be a table on the side close to the water. The menu is extensive, and the prices reasonable. The live music is not too loud.
22D Frunzenskaya Nab. Open 24 hours.
Tel.: (095) 257 2343. M. Park Kultury

Bohemia in Moscow (both the interior and the clientele). Actually a marquee on the pond in Chistiye Prudi park. Carved cabinets, heavy ornate trunks, colourful carpets, gossamer veils, chandeliers … are we in China, or India, or Tibet? There is a VIP area for playing the sheikh. The cooking is similarly eclectic, with a mix of European and Oriental styles. The drinks are no less exotic – South American Mate with melissa, Russian sbiten with mint, cloves and lemon for a special summer drink. Hookahs of course. Plaids (Scottish we think) to keep you warm. Music programmes in the evenings.
12A Chistoprudny Bulvar. Open 24 hours.
Tel.: (095) 916 9466/86. M. Chistiye Prudi

A modern-day Viking longship, anchored in the Moscow River, with Tor and Odin greeting visitors at the door. Those longing for a Viking feeling should head straight to the grill bar (for 150 people): the wooden walls are decorated with animal skins, shields, swords and helms. The menu is pan-European (well, the Vikings did travel far). There is a sushi bar, decorated with all kinds of Japanese items, and of course karaoke.

Viking Ship 6 Berezhkovskaya Embankment Telephone: (495) 240 4689, 240 2780 Viking Ship at Passport Restaurant Guide

Outside of Moscow

A dramatic-looking and very restful riverside restaurant; with strict face control, however. The restaurant and summer terrace have space for up to 100 people, and offer Mediterranean specialties, with many Italian favourites. There are large windows and comfortable chairs, if you want to sit inside but still see the river. With its paintings by modern Russian artists, efficient service, and all-around elegance, this restaurant is as close as it gets to the real Cote D’Azur.
3A, Klyazminskoye Vodohranilische Village,
Mytishinsky district of Moscow region.
Open from 11.00 to 22.00.
Tel.: (095) 588 8314.
M. Rechnoy Vokzal, then go by hydrofoil.
www.kotdazur.ru

A little way out of Moscow, but well worth the trip. You can come here by car or boat. This is a specially constructed riverside restaurant, decorated in a simple style, which well suits the countryside atmosphere. The 3 floors have space for up to 200 people. You can catch your own dinner, or ask the staff to do so from the corves filled with fish and crayfish; the catch will be cooked on charcoals or in the kitchen. On a chilly evening army greatcoats will keep you warm.
Sorokino village, Mytishinsky district (on the Pirogovskoye Reservoir).
From noon to midnight daily.
Tel.: (095) 740 7909, 722 2406
No credit cards.
www.prichal95.ru

A boat pier on the Moscow River where you can just sit and relax by the water and look at all the activity around you. There are catamarans for rent, a beach, a playground for children, a volleyball ground and table tennis. The restaurant is on a sloping level. The cooking for summer emphasizes chilled soups (traditional Russian okroshka, sorrel soup, gazpacho) and spring lamb on a roasting skewer. Weekends there is a buffet table.

Prichal (Wharf) 29 km of Rublevo-Uspensoye shosse (highway), Ilyinskoe poselok (village) Telephone: (495) 418 40 32, 504 12 69 Prichal (Wharf) at Passport Restaurant Guide