Editor’s Choice
Caviar Connoisseurs Welcome
 Overlooking St Isaacs Square, the exquisite Davidov Restaurant offers contemporary cuisine combined with Russian classics by the head chef, Colin Flood. Fashionable, and beloved by the belle monde of St Petersburg, this is the ideal place to entertain amidst flowing linen under the crystal chandeliers, on Villeroy & Boch porcelain.
The venison with mushroom sauce (1,575 r; $61.76) is a succulent offering, tender and gamey, redolent of these northern climes. Or for the same price try the Provencal Style Shrimps with Saffron Rice which arrive at your table, with flames dancing. The zesty shrimps are tender and this is a filling, healthy meal.
For a lighter snack, or to simply savour the best caviar in Russia, try the Caviar Bar in Davidov, where even the most faint-hearted find it hard to resist sampling Russia's traditional fare.
"Russian Table" is available on
Thursday and Friday from 18:00-23:00,
Saturday and holidays from 12 :00-23:00.
Davidov Restaurant, Hotel Astoria,
39 Bolshaya Morskaya, St Petersburg.
Tel: +7 812 494-5815 | There are over 80 assorted vodkas to try, so allow plenty of time for a visit!
Every weekend, Davidov offers its "Russian Table" which is a bargain at 2,275 r ($90). Plates of salads, pickles and treasures from the land and sea from the buffet are followed by pelmeni, then a main course before completing your meal with dessert and coffee. Beer is served throughout with 250 grams of vodka or a half bottle of Champanskoye per person.
Where Irish Eyes are Always Smiling
The Shamrock Bar next to the Mariinsky (Kirov) Theater is an institution in St. Petersburg since the early 90's – just as the new Russia was taking to its feet. Theater Square holds a special place in the entertainment and cultural life of St. Petersburg centered around the Mariinsky and the State Conservatory with the Shamrock smack in between.
Oddly, this Irish pub is the only place to get a bite to eat or drink on the square near the Mariinsky Theater. It's cozy and friendly, and about as culturally distant from the imperial ballet theater as you can get, which doesn’t stop some of the dancers enjoying an after-performance drink here. They have created a unique Irish atmosphere in St. Petersburg centered on live Irish music, Irish spirits and beers, and really good food (some Irish, some Russian, some whatever), with good prices. Excellent chicken kiev – yes, in an Irish pub! The ubiquitous Irish stew and Shepherd's Pie. Service is ok – no effusive Irish lasses here. Russian staff speaks English. Don’t be surprised if your food arrives at different times. Fun spot to watch football on TV!
Stop by for a pint of Guinness or Murphy's after an unforgettable stroll along the Moika Canal from Nevsky Prospect. Or just sit around for hours sipping your Jameson and listening to the best Irish music in town. Maybe if the craic is particularly good, you may even take part in a wee
27 Dekabristov Street (across from Mariinsky Theatre), St. Petersburg.
Tel: (812 ) 570-4625 | sing-along about a lass named Peggy. Go see for yourself why everyone says that the only real Irish Pub in St. Petersburg is The Shamrock.
The British in St Petersburg
 Do we really need to say anything about these Guys (elderly people, to be precise)? There is hardly anyone who does not know who the Rolling Stones are! Let’s get straight to the point. The legendary British will give their one and only concert in St. Petersburg this year on the 28th of July. The concert was supposed to take place last year, but the guitarist Kate Richards fell ill and the show was transferred. This time “The Bigger Band” (that’s, by the way, the name of their present world tour) will play not in the Kirov stadium, as planned before, but in the Palace Square. The organizers (PMI corporation) plan the audience of 40 thousand people: 20 thousand will have seats while the other half will have to enjoy the “standing pits”. The PMI had difficulties with the Hermitage museum, which is right on the Palace Square, in terms of the sound level and fireworks. Besides, it took extra measures (like closing some streets) to avoid any chance of pandemonium. The equipment for the show will arrive on 80-85 100 ton trucks. The concert platform will consist of two stages connected with a bridge!
The Rolling Stones are not the only celebrities visiting St. Petersburg this month. Elton John (another Brit!) is performing on 6 July. It is his fifth visit to Russia but
Elton John
Palace Square
July 6
19:30
price: 2000 – 30 000 r. |
Rolling Stones
Palace Square
July 28
19:00
price: 3000 – 20 000 r. | | previously the priority was given to Moscow. The press keeps silent about the details of the grand event in the Palace Square. Hopefully this time his private jet will not have any problems landing at St. Petersburg airport. On his last visit he had to spend quite some time circling above Moscow.
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