Underground, always attracting with its direct opposite mainstream, occupies a special niche in the restaurant life of the metropolis.
Discover 3 atmospheric projects with an independent concept, daring elegance and unique style that you should undoubtedly include in your visiting-list in Moscow.
Riesling Boyz
Riesling Boyz on Sretenka street is the first restaurant project of restaurateurs Dmitry Levitsky and Gosha Karpenko (PROFSOYUZ bar association, Rusalochka Sushi, SHASHLYCHNAYA alco-buffet and others) with an emphasis on wine.
The idea of the project is fully reflected in the name: Riesling is the favorite wine of the creators. More than fifty varieties of Riesling are selected to replace and surpass any other white wine.
In the Photo: Restaurateur & co-owner Gosha Karpenko
Gosha Karpenko: “When opening the Risling boys restaurant, we thought about which concept to give preference to. As a result, we agreed on the idea of opening a wine restaurant with a focus on Risling. There are more than 50 types of Risling in our restaurant. We have specially developed wine pairinga to get acquainted with this wine, so that later it would be easier for the guest to choose his favorite and order it in the future”.
Although restrained and elegant in all respects, the project bears a masculine character, almost as in life — the ideal masculine world is created by women. At Riesling Boyz, everything is curated by women. Head Chef Olga Morozenko, a Ragout school graduate and finalist of the Master Chef project. International barista Nika Alekseeva is in charge of coffee. Sommelier Julia Lomi has included in the wine list more than fifty different varieties of Riesling for any occasion and mood.
The wine list is divided into flavor categories for ease of selection: flowers, apples, herbs, gasoline, salt, fruits, citrus fruits, sweet rieslings and pret-a-porter.
Riesling Boyz appetizers are also thought for the convenience of the guest: there are the items that will appear on the table almost before glasses
For example, Marinated baked peppers with Greek yogurt (160 ₽), Roasted eggplant with stracciella (170 ₽), Shrimp tartare (450 ₽) or Poultry liver pâté with smoked grapes (390 ₽).
Vegetarian version — Carrot hummus with peanut yogurt and warm flatbread (360 ₽).
For those who are just starting to get acquainted with Riesling or simply does not want to be limited to one variety, there are two special sets. The set consists of 4 glasses of 50 ml each and is accompanied by a brochure describing the nuances of tastes and aromas of each wine.
For example, Set No. 1 (600 ₽) starts with a floral Surherland from South Africa, continues with austere and mineral German George Breuer, then a citrus Siefried from New Zealand and ends with a French herbal Lucien Alberth.
Set No. 2 (700 ₽) consists of three German Rieslings: apple Melsheimer Reiler Mullay-Hofberg Riesling Zéro Dosage, fruity Fritz Haag, salty Zero Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett and benzene Coopers Creek Malborough Riesling from New Zealand.
Although Riesling Boyz can be considered as a local restaurant, the place is universal for visiting not only by local residents, but also foreign guests. Breakfasts, lunches, dinners and wine and music parties on weekends.
“We tried to think through everything to the smallest detail: interior, music, creating the most comfortable conditions for a good mood, — says co-founder Gosha Karpenko. — I chose the playlist myself and sometimes I even catch myself thinking that I stopped listening to other music — so I got carried away with this activity (laughs). Every month we organize themed events, such as vinyl nights on Fridays and Saturdays. We are constantly looking for interesting topics so that our guests can not only drink good wine accompanied by snacks, but also get aesthetic pleasure from the time spent with us”.
It will not be easy to make a choice from the “Mains” section: Seabass with a sauce based on sparkling wine and young asparagus (890 ₽), Stewed brisket with celery cream (980 ₽).
Or juicy Filet mignon with beet puree (1250 ₽).
You can end any lunch or dinner with a light dessert — Tiramisu with port and raspberries (350 ₽) or delicate Chocolate-coconut mousse (390 ₽).
Opening hours: Mon – Thu, Sun 10.00 – 00.00, Fri – Sat 10.00 – 02.00
Address: Sretenka str. 16/2, metro station Suharevskaja, Moscow
Contacts: +7 (925) 255-33-34
Instagram: @rieslingboyz_msk
Rusalochka Sushi
“Little Japan” on Strastnoi Boulevard, Rusalochka Sushi is another conceptual project by Dmitry Levitsky and Gosha Karpenko.
In April 2021, Rusalochka Sushi previously located in the One Door Community space, opened its doors at a new address: Strastnoy Boulevard, 7.
From the first days of the project’s existence, its kitchen has been managed by the brand chef Alexander Kim, who, together with his team, prepares the best specialties of the Land of the Rising Sun.
The new Rusalochka Sushi contains everything that Muscovites and guests of the capital loved so much for: a chamber room with “birdsong” sounds, friendly service and the unique atmosphere of a typical diner somewhere in the narrow streets of Tokyo or Nagoya.
The laconic menu reflects “little Japan” with perfect rolls, sashimi, gunkans, hand-rolls and snacks.
Rolls are presented with eel, salmon, shrimp (190 ₽ / piece), scallop and tuna (290 ₽ / piece).
The classics of 6 or 8 rolls remain very popular: Philadelphia with avocado (610 ₽ / 8 pieces); California (690 ₽ / 8 pieces); Rolls with eel and shrimp (690 ₽ / 8 pieces);
Rolls without rice — Sashimi with salmon (590 ₽ / 5 pieces)
Japanese classics: Sashimi with tuna (660 rub / piece), salmon (550 rub / piece) and scallop (650 rub / piece). Gunkans are one of the most delicious and savory representatives of Japanese cuisine, with name translated from Japanese as “warship” — sushi that is prepared without the use of a bamboo mat. Salmon (210 ₽ / piece); Eel or Tuna (260 ₽ / piece); Scallop (270 ₽ / piece); Kamchatka crab (290 ₽ / piece)
Japanese Premium beer Kirin Ichiban (360 ₽ / 330 ml) will be a pleasant addition to any dish.
Hand-rolls — cone-shaped rolls served with a pipette containing soy sauce. Flavors — salmon, eel, tuna, Spicy salmon, Spicy scallop (from 340 to 390 ₽ / piece)
Many people are attracted by the Japanese dish Donburi, named after the dishes in which it is served (translated from Japanese, “donburi” is a bowl) — a portion of rice with additives: salmon, chuka salad, beaten cucumbers, edamame beans (620 ₽).
And as a quick dessert, you will be pleasantly surprised by the rich texture of Chocolate mousse topped with matcha cream and peanuts (350 ₽).
For big companies Rusalochka Sushi offers assorted sets, including different types of rolls, sashimi and gunkans.
A delivery service or self-pickup is also available.
Opening hours: 12.00 – 00.00 every day
Address: Strastnoy Blvd, 7, стр.3, Moscow, 121614
Contacts: +7 (925) 561-61-95
Instagram: @rusalochka_sushi
Take it Easy
Located at Sretensky Tupik, 5 (just a 5-minute walk from Riesling Boyz), Take it Easy is the reincarnation of the bar of the same name, which has hosted “members only” for 10 years.
The location and interiors have changed, but the ideology and atmosphere have remained the same: here it’s still believed that a cocktail is simple, there is no dress code and the guest is accepted upon a preliminary call.
The cocktail list is the pride of the bar and consists of 10 signature cocktails, arranged in ascending order of alcohol: from very light to rich & strong.
The name of each drink encodes the iconic location of Moscow, the atmosphere of which it is inspired by.
BOLSHOY BALLET opens the card — a cocktail based on sparkling wine and bourbon. The pair is BOHEMIAN — the same lightness, but different mood: sauvignon blanc and passion fruit create an atmosphere of absolute serenity of the Cote d’Azur.
ELISABETH will also delight lovers of the classics. Gin, basil, lemon, lime making the cocktail the most popular among Take it Easy guests.
NITKA is the name of the teahouse in the Andrei Voznesensky Center, where the signature drink is the smoked Karavan tea. In NITKA by Take it Easy, whiskey is responsible for the smoke, cocoa and tomato liqueur for a hint of sweetness, and tonic for bitterness.
ARTHOUSE is not only a movie genre, but also a very bright cocktail based on sherry with notes of pineapple, coconut, apricot kernels and topped with sweet popcorn. Equally photogenic is MASSIMO, made with campari, lemon, soda, topped with a lush ice cream head. Vibrant and dynamic AVANGARD with port wine, coffee rum, mint and violet is inspired by the Tretyakov Gallery.
Another legendary Moscow location, EINEM, is nearby. Orange liqueur, nutty aperitif, garnacha wine are your golden ticket to the confectionery factory.
The card is finished with strong alcoholic positions: the brutal BOSS, created from a blend of gins and vermouths.
As well as the noble OLIMPIA — tequila, cognac, vermouth and rosemary.
In addition to the brand’s dozen, Take it Easy bar team can make any cocktail you know, even if it is not on the list. Cocktails are blended from the alcohol available in the bar based on the guests’ wishes.
The bar has no kitchen, but there are excellent Cheddar and Pastrami sandwiches, a Platter of olives and a Spicy popcorn with sea salt and tomatoes, this one served as a compliment.
Gosha Karpenko: “Every project we create is for ourselves, our friends, our audience, which we understand and feel. All our places reflect ourselves, what we love, and where we feel comfortable spending time with our friends”.
www.facebook.com/TakeItEasyMoscow/about
Opening hours: Thu 19.00 – 00.00, Fri – Sat 19.00 – 03.00
Address: Sretenskiy Tupik, 5, Moscow
Contacts: +7 (916) 695-66-00
Instagram: @take_it_easy_moscow
Editor-in-chief: Patricia Kolari
Text Writer: Marina Timoshevskaya, Victoria Stashkevich
Technical Director: Evgeny Fedorov Photos: EATWEEK
