582712 Thu Dec 25 03:10:41 -0800 2008 0 47 Russia 0 4272510 Just spent 3 days in St. Petersburg with the "Chaine des Rotisseurs" . I can recommand both Grand Hotel Europe and Hotel Corinthia Nevskij Palace (altough the Grand Europe is more central for shopping). A special mention for Restaurant Podvorie, near the town of Pushkin (Summer palace): Great Typical Russian lunch in an old wooden isba, and for the brand new "Russian Vodkaroom Nº1" at 4 Konnogvardeisky Bd. Outstanding selection of vodkas, with a tasting bar, a vodka museum, and serving very good traditional Russian food indeed. On a different register (and price range), the Caviar Bar Restaurant at the Europe served us a gastronomic Russian dinner which included "bear parmentier"... We returned to the Europe for their Tchaikovsky Classical Dinner evening (ate à la carte whilst listening to classical music and enjoying some ballet). Sunday brunch at the Corinthia is expensive, but covers basically breakfast, lunch and dinner! and all drinks are included... Thu Dec 25 03:10:42 -0800 2008 179252 monchique