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Moscow & St. Petersburg suggestions

ville_e

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Any suggestions on where to eat, what museums/sights to visit and any shops worth visiting? Thanks in advance!
 

silvestrosrl

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I know that in Moscow there is a good shoe store called Europa exclusive but I am not sure about that.
 

Wicky

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I think member Banis is from Moscow and might have some tips
 

P-K-L

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Moscow: For a good food experience, visit Skazka Vostoka - located on Frunzenskaya Naberezhnaya - on a boat.

Do not go shopping - at least not for European/ American things. Maybe get some good Vodka.

Concerning the restaurant -> Have a read:

http://www.afisha.ru/msk/restaurant/...review/287404/
 

ville_e

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Thanks for all the tips. I will definitely not be purchasing any European or American items in Russia.

I was wondering, however, if there are any nice clothing items of Russian origin which would be nice to purchase as a souvenir.

Looking forward to hearing some tips (restaurants, shops etc.) from the Russian members of this forum.
 

jpb

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There's not really a lot of places to eat in Moscow. Russians seem to think the most important part of a restaurant is the decor.

Varvary does molecular cuisine interpretations of Russian food. I haven't been myself but I've heard it's good - http://www.anatolykomm.ru/Varvary/varvary_eng.htm.

Cafe Pushkin is not bad http://www.cafe-pushkin.ru/en/ next door is Turandot, which is a recreation of an 18th century palace and supposedly the most expensive restaurant fit-out in the world.

Cafe Idiot in St. Petersburg used to be a great place for breakfast, although I haven't been there for years.

Georgian food can be pretty good.

The Kremlin in Moscow and the Hermitage in St. Petersburg are the two unmissables. Tretyakovskaya Gallery in Moscow is also well worth it, with Russian art from icons through to Malevich. I recommend seeing a Russian opera if any are playing.

In Moscow, the main place for souvenirs is Izmailovo, which is at Partizanskaya metro station. You can find pretty much anything associated with Russia there. I'm not sure if there's any clothes of interest - fur hats and gloves, you can get linen caftans. Probably not for adults but my kids like them.

The women are always one of Russia's best sights.
 

globetrotter

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food is really a problem in Moscow - the "best" resterounts don't have great food, are mostly about decor. probrably the best dinning expereince I have had in moscow was in a Central Asian resteraunt, and that was because they had the hottest belly dancers I've every seen.

on the arbat you will see a number of ok russian resteraunts, nothing special but at least not a rip off.

as to what to see - ride the metro at least once or twice, walk around red square and the kremlin, go to GUM.

as for shopping - you can get fur hats, reproduction soviet watches. that is about it.
 

teddieriley

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george-costanza.jpg
 

banis

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Originally Posted by ville_e
Any suggestions on where to eat, what museums/sights to visit and any shops worth visiting? Thanks in advance!

I typed a long responce, but shut an active window. Sorry, if this post is small one.

As it has alos been mentioned, restaurants in Moscow are more about decor. Good restaurants are not cheap. But nothing spectacular. Gordon Ramsay wrote an article for Forbes Russia about restaurants in Moscow. You can read it via Google.
facepalm.gif


For Russian cousine the Pushkin is probably the best. There is also the Turandot close to the Pushkin. They are both owned by one person. It is very rich inside. As for cousine, it is Asian and something else. I do not remember exactly.

There are any Caucasian restaurants in Moscow. The one that was recommended by P-K-L Skazka Vostoka is a very good one. It is located on the Moscow river on the opposite side of the Gorky Park. So, you can have a walk to the park after the meal.

There really a lot of places for sightseeing both in Moscow and St. Petersburg. Starting from historical places and museums and going through the boulevards and in the streets in the center of the cities. I can not say anything about St. Petersburg, only about Moscow.

The Tretyakov Gallery is a must. Also Kremlin, Red Square. Probably Lenin's Mausoleum (if you are his fan)
teacha.gif
At the Red Square you can see GUM. One of the oldest stores in Moscow. Just go inside without buying anything.

In the Pushkin museum of fine arts at the moment is Picasso's exhibition, which will be held until May 23, 2010. I have yet been there, as there are lots of people willing to see it and the ques are really long.

There is a beautiful place Poklonnaya Gora, where is a museum of the Great Patriotic War (WWII as it is considered by non-ex-Soviet people). It is a memorial place and a very beautiful one. It is also located near the Arch of Triumph.

Try Moscow underground (metro), even despite the recent attack. It is really beautiful. Also, it is much cheaper and faster to use metro than paying taxi and being stuck in the traffic jams, especially in the downtown during the day (although I hate metro and prefer to use a car).

You can also go to the Moscow State University which is located on one of the hills. You will see a very good panorama of Moscow both in the daytime and in the evening. You can also go to the restaurants that are located on the last floors of the buildings. The best ones are - Kalina Bar at Lotte Plaza, Sky Lounge (close to the MSU and the Gorky Park) and restaurant at the top of the Swiss Hotel Krasnye Holmy (although it is best for cocktails, food is not a strong side of this restaurant).

If you would like to go shopping - forget about it. It is much cheaper to buy it in Europe.
Souvenir clothes such as fur hats or something like that you can buy at the Arbat and other touristic places.

As for St. Petersburg, I can only recommend one small shoe shop. It is named Karierist and is being considered probably the best shoe shop in Russia with a great service. Be prepared for really high prices.

When are you planning to visit Moscow?
 

ville_e

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Originally Posted by banis
When are you planning to visit Moscow?

I plan on visiting next weekend (arriving on Friday).

Do you have more suggestions?? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Are there some Russian items of clothing worth purchasing (normal price range)
biggrin.gif
Ex. Russian brands etc. typical items of clothing you can't find elsewhere.

Thanks again! I'm really looking forward to this trip.
smile.gif
 

em36

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Been twice. Don't shop much.

1.) Do not miss the Kremlin; it is spectacular; 2.) Nedalny Vostok may have been the best seafood place I have ever dined at. The same owner has a more intimate restaurant down the next street, in a leafy suburb across from a Jewish community center, that is also fantastic. Some of the best eateries are very dear. Skip Cafe Pushkin; 3.) The Sanduny Banya is an experience, if you're into the Russian version of Hamam or sauna; 4.) The Hyatt Ararat is a safe location to stay.

Edit: Cafe Pushkin was okay, but there are much better choices for Russian fare. There desserts are fantastic. Moscow is incredibly cosmopolitan, not only for Western cuisines, but Eastern fare. Some of the Armenian restaurants are gems.
 

ville_e

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Apparently I'm not the only one visiting Moscow next Friday:

Moscow
Book Signing - The Sartorialist
April 9th
Nespresso boutique
Petrovka Street 15, bld 1.
7pm to 9pm-ish

lol8[1].gif
 

banis

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Originally Posted by ville_e
I plan on visiting next weekend (arriving on Friday).

Do you have more suggestions?? Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Are there some Russian items of clothing worth purchasing (normal price range)
biggrin.gif
Ex. Russian brands etc. typical items of clothing you can't find elsewhere.

Thanks again! I'm really looking forward to this trip.
smile.gif


I'll try to ask what are good places for national clothing and so on.
Where are you staying?

Originally Posted by ville_e
Apparently I'm not the only one visiting Moscow next Friday:

Moscow
Book Signing - The Sartorialist
April 9th
Nespresso boutique
Petrovka Street 15, bld 1.
7pm to 9pm-ish

lol8[1].gif


Did not know about that.
Probably should try visiting it in order to be on his blog. Will go and check what type of ppl he likes and will dress like that.
facepalm.gif
 

banis

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See how some Russians drink vodka.

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