Moscow restaurant guide

Restaurant: Mario

Contacts

Cuisine

The swanky cars with darkened windows and hovering beefcakes with earpieces say it all. This restaurant, favoured by Moscow’s richest, is also consistently one of the city’s best Italian restaurants. Ingredients are flown in twice a week from Italy and the menu reflects Italian seasonality. The fresh pasta is home-made and excellent on all counts. The carpaccio deserves special mention, as do the risottos. Dress very smartly and make a reservation if you want to get in.

An ancient but proven venue for billionaires. You can observe latest Ferrari models guarded by Special Police Force on the parking lot. Impressive elegant interior and simply fabulous open summer terrace. This place has been a long-term shelter for the high society, rich and famous. This is a “native” place for Russian oligarchs and politicians because only they can afford sky high prices. Mario was the first to offer Muscovites 3 golden rules in 1990s: exclusiveness, breathtaking prices and suitable clientele. ˆ60 for an entree course is for those few who appreciate the prestige of the establishment. But everything on the menu is exceptionally delicious and spectacular. Chef’s generous portions will not leave you indifferent to spaghetti with prawns and beef steak with fois gras. Waiters will treat you as one and only Very Important Person and you would like to come back here just to feel like a king again.

Bill: $$$$$

Service: *****