Moskau

[noelscot]

A lady friend of mine is visiting Moskau for one day, then traveling to Israel to see her family. She's never been to Moskau. What are some non-touristy places to visit, get some food, etc. that you all can suggest? Like where the locals go to eat, for example. I'm also going to pick the brain of a Muscovite here locally. I appreciate any and all information you may have.


Thanks,


Noel

[Manny]

In English its Moscow. Moskau is German.

[noelscot]

In English its Moscow. Moskau is German.

Maybe I've been listening to too much Rammstein? Ha ha.

[JohnDearGreen]

Like where the locals go to eat, for example.

Gotta watch out for those small local joints:
http://current.com/community/91456281_murdered-mans-dead-body-sold-to-russia-kebab-house.htm



Then there was the other Kebab House that decided to officially call itself
 the "Anti-Soviet".  Didn't go over too big:
http://www.economist.com/node/14667887

[noelscot]

Gotta watch out for those small local joints:
http://current.com/community/91456281_murdered-mans-dead-body-sold-to-russia-kebab-house.htm

Someone ordered shashlyk and got long pig? Homeless people: the other white meat.

[mendeleyev]

Москва = "mahks VAh" (the o is spoken as an "ah" because it is unstressed).

Wow, were I a tourist and had only a day, instead of avoiding touristy places I'd be concerned about how to cram as much of Moscow into one day as possible! There is so much history and so much to see...

Moscow is Europe's largest city so identifying a "hole in the wall" type eatery where locals go could garner 12 million suggestions, but I personally like JAM cafe on Кутузовский (Kutuzovsky Prospect/Avenue). It is close to Victory Park so one could spend time there as well. It is a bit pricey, around $35 for lunch, but the menu is nice. Recently I had borsch and fish and it was very tasty.

The website www.jamcafe.ru is outdated frankly as the interior has been remodeled (an obviously older and more casual look is on the web) and it is much more upscale in the furnishings and decor than what is presented online.

It is very nicely decorated inside with a modern Italian style decor and features good food, a variety of Russian to Italian, with good service. The staff is Russia but speak English for non-Russian speaking customers. The restrooms are clean and well appointed too.

At the entry to Red Square is the famous Manezh Plaza featuring hundreds of shops and restaurants from Planet Sushi (a local favourite) to the familiar McDonalds, Baskin Robbins and Dunkin' Donuts. Laugh as you will, and I understand that the last place your friend desires to eat is at a Mickey D's, but those American eateries are true "local favourites."


Two photos I took recently of Jam Restaurant are posted below:

[mendeleyev]

Mrs. Mendeleyeva suggests Му-Му (Moo-Moo), a very popular chain of cafeteria style restaurants where the style is self-service with good tasting Russian dishes. They are all over Moscow and Moo-Moo restaurants are easy to spot as each is decorated with a black-and-white cow motif thru the interior with a statue of a cow outside.

Website: http://cafemumu.ru/

[mendeleyev]

Your friend might also be pleasantly surprised at any of the "Coffee House" cafes, a chain all over Moscow. (Кофе Хауз)

[mendeleyev]

If your friend is a chocolate lover however, then it's шоколадница (chocolate girl), hands down.

http://shoko.ru/moskva/

[clancyhound]

mendeleyev - perfecrt!!
шоколадница - YUM!
Cant go wrong taking her there.   Dont worry about finding one - they are all over.

[noelscot]

Mendeleyev,
 
Thank you for taking the time to mention so many great places to eat!
 

[mendeleyev]

A pleasure. I love Moscow and enjoy promoting such a great city, and hope the trip works out great for your friend.

[acctBill]

Everywhere I go everyone says that they either hate McDonald's or only rarely eat there, yet in Moscow McDonald's restaurants are always busy.  Not only is McDonald's always busy but it is full of native Russians not tourists.  Obviously it must be food that native Russians love.    Try the first McDonald's in Russia, it's in Pushkin Square, again always busy.

[mendeleyev]

Good point, Bill. So true.

I use McDonalds for iced tea and perhaps you also can remember those days when getting any drink with ice from a restaurant, but especially that sacred TEA, was just not going to happen in Russia. The only drawback is that most McD tea is pre-sweetened so I have to dilute it with water to make it drinkable.

[Daveman]

Everywhere I go everyone says that they either hate McDonald's or only rarely eat there, yet in Moscow McDonald's restaurants are always busy.  Not only is McDonald's always busy but it is full of native Russians not tourists.  Obviously it must be food that native Russians love.    Try the first McDonald's in Russia, it's in Pushkin Square, again always busy.

Funny.. yes indeed...  they are busy all the time all over Ukraine as well.. no afternoon lulls.. well there is but it's the difference between packed to the gills down to standing room only.. perhaps only slightly exaggerated.   TheWife^tm loves "gambugars" and freely admits it. She's about the only one though...

Good point, Bill. So true.

I use McDonalds for iced tea and perhaps you also can remember those days when getting any drink with ice from a restaurant, but especially that sacred TEA, was just not going to happen in Russia. The only drawback is that most McD tea is pre-sweetened so I have to dilute it with water to make it drinkable.

Coffee and Tea...  they definitely have the best coffee and tea around over there.


And come to think of it, the only (other) westerner I can recall ever seeing in any McD's is JR! It seems to be a serious "native" hangout place.