Moscow and St. Petersburg in September

[zorba]

Travelling to Russia in late September. Know this is a tough one, but does anyone have restaurant or hotel w/restaurant recommendations?

[sasicka]

I've just returned from St. Petersburg. I found it just OK food wise (and everything else :-) We ate dinner at Russian Vodkaroom and at Tsar.

Vodkaroom is more authentic and down-to-earth but beware of groups. It's a big establishment and when there is a group it's basically impossible to talk there. Also, it's more authentic regarding the service and their little scams - "service is not included"(yes, service is included everywhere in Russia, tipping is expected around 5-10% and not more); "no, we cannot move you, there are reservations everywhere" (I can see you have an empty restaurant, so if you don't move us, we're leaving immediately - OK, we can move you).

Tsar was more upmarket, jacket is not required but would be nice. The food is more sophisticated and leans more towards the European tastes. I recommend it very much, all the dishes were very good.

Otherwise, I can recommend a creperie called Teremok - they are all over the town, they are cheap and have a great variety of sweet and savory crepes (blini) and other stuff.

Try the beverage called Mors - it's a red soft drink made from berries similar to cranberries, very good.

[Evgeniya]

I hope may answer is not too late for your trip.

In Moscow I would suggest Assambleya Nikitskaya Hotel or Hotel Pekin for a good location and reasonable price. In terms of food:
- coffee is good in Kofemaniya (Coffee Mania) right accross the Assambleya Nikitskaya Hotel;
- Bar Strelka is great for the view if the terrace is still open when you arrive, but go for the food and location if only indoors is available;
- Pushkin, if still in your price range, is the best place in Moscow for Russian food (note: the menu on the first floor is less expensive than the second);
- Gypsy club for Fridays and Saturdays.

As for St.Pete - Terrassa is supposed to be the best though fancy and not inexpensive (http://ginzaproject.ru/SPB/Restaurant...).

Note that all of the above restaurants may be a bit on the expensive side, but you get your money's worth in all of them, which is not so often in Moscow and St.Pete. Let me know if you need further or cheaper advice.